AMERICAN EXPLORATION TRIBUTE. 99 



became numerous, gigantic, and sometimes strange. The paleon- 

 tologists attached to the Geological Survey have brought to light 

 these curious creatures. The monographs of the regretted Leidy, 

 of Cope, and of Prof. Marsh are among the most beautiful pale- 

 ontologic works accomplished since Cuvier. 



Magnificent researches have also been made concerning the 

 invertebrates and the fossil vegetables. 



To resume, under the powerful impulse which the Federal 

 Government has given to it, the geologic service of the United 

 States has produced in twenty-five years results very considerable 

 and very skillfully attained. It must be said that in no other 

 region of the globe have been made such discoveries in so short a 

 space of time. Moreover, this organization, all perfect as it is, 

 could not have given such fruits if the galaxy of savants who 

 have taken part in it had not given proof, at all times, of a valor 

 and of a tenacity which, in the diverse and inhospitable regions in 

 which they were exercised, recall the heroism of an army attack- 

 ing the most arduous and most inaccessible obstacles. 



The work of the Geological Survey, with the magnificent col- 

 lection of results that it comprises, merits then that we should 

 render to it a striking homage for the light so vivid and so unex- 

 pected that it has thrown upon the geologic history and the min- 

 eral riches of North America. 



The Cuvier prize is decreed to this grand collective work, not 

 only to the actual collaborators, but also to those who have ceased 

 their labors. It will, we hope, be preserved in the archives of the 

 Geological Survey as a witness of the high esteem of the Academy 

 of Sciences. 



His studies of the planet Jupiter for the past thirteen or fourteen years have 

 satisfied M. Terby that the conditions existing there are more stable than astrono- 

 mers have of late years been supposing. Even if the phenomena of the spots and 

 bands are atmospheric, their permanency and regularity point to some fixed cause, 

 on the real surface of the planet, controlling them. Besides the "red spot," which 

 has now attracted attention for many years, he finds permanent spots, even on the 

 equatorial zone, having a movement of rotation corresponding with that of this 

 object. The supposition may be legitimately drawn from this fact that this period 

 of rotation agrees with that of the rotation of the planet itself. 



At present, the Hon. Eollo Eussell contends, in his book on the Causes and 

 Prevention of Epidemic Plagues and Fevers, the science of "public life-saving" 

 is far ahead of the practice. We teach, he observes, in compulsorily attended 

 schools the names of "ancient and unworthy kings," of lakes, mountains, rivers, 

 and so on; while we neglect to instruct in the weightier matters that concern 

 life, health, prosperity, and happiness. The remedy lies in placing the knowledge 

 of the first principles of hygiene within the acquisition of every person of the 

 communitv. 



