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HE following tribute to the Americans who have conducted meritorious geological and geographical explorations is a graceful and well-bestowed recognition from the French people of the remarkable results that have been achieved in this country by individual and Government agencies in adding to the sum of human knowledge. The tribute of words is even more beautiful than the elegant medal which accompanied it, and while the United States Geological Survey is made the official recipient of the gift, it will be seen that it is intended to honor other American workers in this field of science.

Institute of France, Academy of Science. Meeting of December 21, 1891. Pages 70 to 74.

CUVIER PRIZES.

The commission charged with awarding the Cuvier prize for the year 1891 has with unanimous voice given this high mark of esteem to the collective work of the Geological Survey of the United States.

In the United States, where all the natural resources are exploited with so much ardor, the studies relative to the soil ought necessarily to demand a very particular attention by reason of the numerous applications which they legitimately promise. It is therefore more than half a century since the governments of many States instituted a geological exploration of the lands which belonged to them. These geological surveys were organized and confided to men most prominent in their profession. It was in the Northern States that the most considerable progress was made. Hitchcock published, in 1833, the Geology of Massachusetts. From 1836 to 1840 the eminent Henry Rogers and his brother, W. B. Rogers, undertook that of Pennsylvania and Virginia, the essential characteristics and distorted structure of which they so admirably made known. Charles T. Jackson, of Boston, the discoverer of etherization, and already known by his mineralogical works, undertook that of Maine, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island (1837 to 1839), after having published in 1833 a study of Nova Scotia. The geology of the State of New York is confided to James Hall—who has not yet discontinued the series