452 ADDRESS OF T. STERRY HUNT. 
chancellor of the university, which he filled with great credit and 
usefulness up to the time of his resignation.* It is not for me to 
pronounce the eulogy of Professor Chauvenet, to speak of his pro- 
found attainments in astronomy and mathematics, or of his pub- 
lished works, which have already taken rank as classics in the 
literature of these sciences. Others more familiar with his field 
of labor may in proper time and place attempt the task. All who 
knew him can however join with me in testifying to his excellencies 
as a man, an instructor and a friend. In his assiduous devotion 
to scientific studies he did not neglect the more elegant arts, but 
was a skilful musician, and possessed of great general culture and 
` refinement of taste. In his social and moral relations he was 
marked by rare elevation and purity of character, and has left to 
the world a standard of excellence in every relation of life which 
few can hope to attain. 
In accordance with our custom it becomes my duty in quitting 
the honorable position of president, which I have filled for the 
past year, to address you upon some theme which shall be ger- 
mane to the objects of the Association. The presiding officer, as 
you are aware, is generally chosen to represent alternately one of 
the two great sections into which the members of the Association 
are supposed to be divided; viz., the students of the natural-his- 
tory sciences on the one hand, and of the physico-mathematical 
and chemical sciences on the other. The arrangement by which, 
in our organization, geology is classed with the natural-history 
division, is based upon what may fairly be challenged as 4 some- 
what narrow conception of its scope and aims. While theoretical 
geology investigates the astronomical, physical, chemical and bio- 
logical laws which have presided over the development of our 
earth, and while practical geology or geognosy studies its natural 
history, as exhibited in its physical structure, its mineralogy and 
its paleontology, it will be seen that this comprehensive science 18 
a stranger to none of the studies which are included in the plan of 
our Association, but rather sits like a sovereign, commanding 1 
turn the services of all. i 
As a student of geology, I scarcely know with which section of 
the Association I should to-day identify myself. Let me endeavor 
‘Lge cee 
* Amer. Jour, Sci., III, i, 233. 
