10 Geologische Reichsanstalt 



and natural science. No wonder, that at a distance from 

 this new centre of scientific activity Hai dinger was 

 considered the soul of this organization. The foundation 

 of the Geologische Reichsanstalt, with Haidinger at its 

 head, and the rapid development of the Imperial Acade- 

 my of Sciences, at Vienna, — the highest center of all 

 scientific work in Austria, — made the distinct organiza- 

 tion of the Friends of Science surperiluous. Accordingly, 

 in 1850, they dissolved this organization, by the transfer 

 of the library above spoken of. How active a part Hai- 

 dinger took in the scientific work of the Imperial Acade- 

 my of Vienna, the publications of the academy bear 

 witness. 



The publication of Haidinger's preliminary geological 

 map (Geologische Uebersichts-Karte) of Austria, above- 

 named, gave him an opportunity to represent to the 

 authorities the need of great and persistent thorough 

 geological explorations of all the provinces of the empire. 

 Notwithstanding the unfortunate political troubles, the 

 enlightened government of Austria liberally furnished 

 the means to carry out the plans of Haidinger to the 

 fullest extent. The Geologische Reichsanstalt 

 (Geological Institution of the Empire) was created, and 

 Haidinger appointed Director of the same (Novem- 

 ber, 1849). As such, he had a considerable number of 

 scientific and other officers under his direction. It is a 

 fact of no slight significance in regard to the high, truly 

 humane, and noble character of Haidinger, that during 

 the seventeen years of his administration, every officer of 

 this institution constantly found in him an enlightened 

 advisor and a fatherly friend. In the Haidinger Feier, 

 on the 5th of February, 1865, the numerous friends of 

 Haidinger — from the Emperor on the throne, to the 

 servant at the gate — from his colleagues in Vienna, to 

 the scientists in the most distant quarters of the globe — 

 united to celebrate the seventieth anniversary of his 



