Physical Sciences. 



239 



to make appropriations for scientific research ! And in almost every 

 case the hope of finding metals or coal or of securing some kindred 

 money advantage has been the moving force in deciding the legis- 

 lator's vote. 



New York did a noble work in so early and efficiently inaugurating 

 her scientific surveys, and richly has she been paid in the instruction 

 of her people and in the honor she has secured among our States and 

 the nations of the world. This Institute was the first memorialist in 

 favor of this great scientific movement. Wise legislators gave the 

 means of studying the rocks of New York, thus laying a foundation 

 for the grand superstructure of American Geology. The ablest scien- 

 tists of the nation were called by your Executives to carry on the 

 work. The way had been prepared by Clinton, Van Eensselaer and 

 other honored names among the early patrons of science. The labors 

 of Eaton and Beck, of Torrey and Emmons, De Kay and Eall, and 

 others who still have their armor on, have instructed the world in the 

 whole field of Natural History and made the rocks of the Empire 

 State an everlasting monument to the wisdom and liberality of your 

 early statesmen. We trust the race of statesmen has not deteriorated, 

 but that the work will go on till all the treasures of science which the 

 State possesses are made accessible and free not only to all her people 

 but to all the people of the world who will visit her vast collections. 

 To the early statesmen there was only a promise and possibility of 

 results; for those of the present time there is the stimuhis of work 

 already done. Your scientists have certainly vindicated their tireless 

 energy and their ability to enter new fields of observation and research. 

 Your Botanists and Zoologists have described the living species, your 

 Geologists have not only given names to the rocks but to the thousand 

 extinct forms within them, so that the superb volumes of the Natural 

 History of New York are a necessity in the library of every working 

 naturalist. Your Henry, in this very city, discovered the principles 

 that made the telegraphic cable possible, and your Morse gave the 

 practical hint for surrounding the earth itself with electric nerves, so 

 that it responds to the will of man as though it were a living thing. 

 One touch of his finger can now move the globe, not convulsing it as 

 dead matter, but quickening it as an obedient agent of his will, trans- 

 mitting the commands of him who was made to rule the earth. 



You, as an organization, have all you can desire as an inducement 

 to careful work and courageous advance in time to come. And as an 

 organization you are to press on and encourage other searchers for 

 truth to enter that advancing morning twilight of scientific discovery 

 where untrained eyes see no light of the coming day. How many 

 great questions still remain for patient watchers and tireless workers 



