Ixviii 



cf observations on the tides, also of tlie niagnetism of the earth, and the 

 direction of the wind at different seasons of the year. He also instituted a 

 succession of researches in regard to the bottom of the ocean within sound- 

 ings, and the forms of animal life w^iich are found there, thus offering new 

 and unexpected indications to the navigator. He pressed the electric tele- 

 graph into the service for the determination of the longitude, photography 

 for the ready reproduction of charts, and the art of clectrotyping for multi- 

 plying copperplate engraving. Professor Bache, with his enlightened appre- 

 ciation of the value of abstract science, kept constantly in view the various 

 problems relative to the physics of the globe which were incidentally con- 

 nected with the survey of the coast, and ever cherished the hope of being 

 permitted to finish his labours by their solution. Among these was a new 

 determination of the magnitude and form of the earth, the variations in 

 the intensity of gravity at various points on the continent of North iVme- 

 rica, the discussion of the general theory of the tides, the magnetic 

 condition of the continent, and the improvement of the general map of 

 the United States by determining in relation to the coast-line, the geogra- 

 phical positions of the most important points in the interior. 



He was Superintendent of Weights and Measures, and rendered im- 

 portant services as a Member of a Commission to examine the condicion of 

 the Light House System. In 1846 he was named one of the Regents of 

 the Smithsonian Institution, and by successive reelection was continued 

 in this office until his death. A.t the request of the Governor of Pennsyl- 

 vania, although overwhelmed with other public labours, he planned a line 

 of defences for Philadelphia, and to a considerable extent personally super- 

 intended their construction. This work proved too much for his strength, 

 and brought on the malady which terminated his life. 



After some premonitory symptoms, which, however, did not diminish his 

 exertions, he was suddenly deprived in a considerable degree of the power 

 of locomotion, and of the expression of his ideas. For several months he 

 was very anxious about the business of the Coast Survey, and it was with 

 difficulty that he could be restrained from resuming the full duties of his 

 office. It was hoped that a voyage to Europe would be of service to him ; 

 the journey, however, w-as productive of no permanent advantage ; and after 

 lingering for more than two years, he departed this life on the 17th of 

 February 1867. 



But few Americans have been more highly honoured at home or more 

 appreciated abroad. He was President of the American Philosophical 

 Society, of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, 

 and of the National Academy of Sciences lately established by Congress. 

 He was a Foreign Member of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, the 

 Royal Irish Academy, the Royal Astronomical Society, a Corresponding 

 Member of the Imperial Institute of France, of the Imperial Academy of 

 St. Petersburg, of the Royal Academy of Turin, of the Institute of 



