447 
THE APRIL MEETING, 1844 . 
by Major Turnbull, of the Topographical Corps, exhibits new contrivances, in 
overcoming obstacles never heretofore encountered in similar projects, and has been 
pronounced in Europe one of the most skilful works of the ag8. 
The abstract mathematics does not seem so well suited to the genius of our coun¬ 
trymen as its application to other sciences. Those among us who have most suc¬ 
cessfully pursued the pure mathematics, are chiefly our much esteemed adopted 
citizens, such as Nulty, Ad rain, Bonnycastle, Gill, and Hassler. Bowditch was an 
American, and is highly distinguished at home and abroad. Such men as Plana 
and Babbage rank him among the first class, and his commentary on the Mechan- 
ique Cdleste, of Laplace, has secured him a niche in the temple of fame, near to that 
of its illustrious author. Anderson and Strong are known to all who love mathe¬ 
matics, and Fischer was cut oil by death in the commencement of a bright career. 
And may I here be indulged in grateful remembrance of two of my own precep¬ 
tors, Dr. R. M. Patterson and Eugene Nulty. The first was the Professor at my 
Alma Mater (the University of Pennsylvania) in natural philosophy and the 
application of mathematics to many branches of science. Ha was beloved and 
respected by all the class, as the courteous gentleman and the profound scholar ; 
and the mint of the United States, now under his direction, at Philadelphia, has 
reached the highest point of system, skill, and efficiency. In the pure mathema¬ 
tics, Nulty is unsurpassed at home or abroad. In an earlier day, the elder Patter¬ 
son, Eliicot, and Mansfield, cultivated this branch successfully in connection with 
astronomy. 
A new and extensive country is the gTeat field for descriptive natural history. 
The beasts, birds, fishes, reptiles, insects, shells, plants, stones, and rocks, are to 
be examined individually and classed; many new varieties and species are found, 
and even new genera may occur. The learned Mitchell, of New York, delighted 
in these branches. The eminent Harlan, of Philadelphia, and McMurtrie, were of 
a later and more philosophic school. Nuttall, of Cambridge, has distinguished 
himself in natural history, and Halderaan is rising to eminence. 
Ornithology is one of the most attractive branches of natural history. Wilson 
was the pioneer; Ord, his biographer followed, and his friend Titian Peale; Audubon 
is universally known, and stands preeminent; and the learned Nuttall, and excel¬ 
lent and enthusiastic Townsend are much respected. Most of these men have 
compassed sea and land, and encountered many perils and hardships to find their 
specimens. They have explored the mountains of the North, the swamps of 
Florida, the prairies of the West, and accompanied the Exploring Expedi¬ 
tion to the Antarctic, and round the world. As botanists, the Bartrams, Barton, 
and Collins, of Philadelphia, Torrey, of New York, Gray and Nuttall, of Cam¬ 
bridge, Darlington, of Westchester, are much esteemed. The first botanical garden 
in our country was that of the Bartons, near Philadelphia; and the first work on 
botany was from Barton, of the same city. Logan, Woodward, Bfailsford, Shelby, 
Cooper, Horsefield, Colden, Clayton, Muhlenburg, Marshal, Cutler, and Hosack, 
were also distinguished in this delightful branch. 
A study of the shells of our country has raised to eminence the names of Barnes, 
Conrad, Lea, and Raffinesque. The magnificent fresh water shells of our western 
rivers are unrivalled in the old world, in size and beauty. How interesting would 
be a collection of all the specimens which the organic kingdom of America pre¬ 
sents, properly classified, and arranged- according to the regions and States whence 
they were brought. Paris has the museum of the natural history of France, and 
