New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-02-23
pRoF. DAYA's INAUGURAL DISCOURSE.
couesrcsaeree Of TIE N. Y. Tribune.
''' YALE COLLEGE, Eew-Haveu,
Thnrdar. Feb. q, 1856.

delivered his inaugural discourse on tuesday
afternoon. Feb. 1e, 1856. The faculty OF the Yale
Scientific School, many other officers and graduates
and the Senior Glass Of the College were present,
and listened with the closest attention to an opening
lec,ure which gave promise Of an eminently valas-
bic and brillisnt course.
The pre.ence of Prof Silliman, senior, for fifty
years the distinguished occupant OF the chair oil
Chemistry and Geology in this institution and the
remarks which he made in reference 10 the progress
during bis lifetime OF every department OF SCIENCE,
added greatly 10 the interest OF the occasion.
The eminent sttainmeDts of Prof. Dams, the
variety and importance of his sclentlnc Puoiics-
tiCps bis connection with the United States TX
ploripg Expedition, and mis- high reputation IN the
Universities and Academies OF Europe Wheh con-
sidered in connection with the mOdesty OF charac-
ter for which be is not less remarkable, demand st
tLi. tine more than passing alluslon.
For not less than twenty-five years he has been
ur.naring himself by study observation and travel
70 fiji with distinguished ability the position to
which. BY vote OF the Corporation, ne was TWO
years since elected. A native of Utica, New
York. he was attracted TO New-dayen IN Icy ny
the nsme Of Silmsn, them and SINCE considered
as the Father of American Science. During ms
academic course he published various scientific
n emoirs. and before his graduation in 1888, he
was appointed Instructor of Nidsbpmen 10 the
United States Navy with the duties OF which po-
,iton be was occupied till l935. In 1885 he pub
lisled Treatise on Miperaogy (5-6 PIP. ovo.)'
which has passed through four editions, and is
hi, hly esteemed-nOt less in Europe than in this
country.
In 1886 be received the appointment of Geolo-
eist to the United States Exploring Expedition,
commanded by Commodore Wilkes. This EXpe-
dition which has contributed so much to the honor
of our country as well as to the advancement ot
Scie1ce set sail in 1885, and did not complete us
voyage Of observation and discovery I'll lciZ.
After his return, Prof Dana applied himself, first
in Washington aud then in New Haven, to the
preparation If Reports on those departments OF
Science with which lie had specially been charged
Within the next twelve years be completed
three important treatlses, published as the sew
enth tenth aud thirteenth volumes OF the quarto
edition Of the Reports of the Exploring ExPed-
t,n, which collectively display an am ,unt OF orig
insl research unequallea by the writings oil any
scientific man OF America.
His Report On Zc6phytes (quarto, PIP. 47O) was
published in 1916, and describes two hundred and
sixty-one new species Ii is illustrated by folio
atlas Of sixty -One plates, drawn from nature by
the author.
His Report on Geology (lto. pp. 1867 is accom-.
panied by folio atlas of twenty-one plates, aud
presents a compr, hensiye view of the whole geo
1
tralia tn, various island groups and the coasts OF
Africa end America.
His Report on Crustacea (4to. PIP. 1920, was
nublished in Is52-4 and describes go species. OF
which 65s are new. It's atlas numbers 20 plates
All these volumes are replete with rev aud I'M
portant contributions to our previous knowledge
and indeed 30 great was the amount OF new mat
ter contributed that the author found II needtnl
to remodel the whole system Of classification OF
these families of invertebrata to meet the require
uents Of Lis new genera ard species.
In addition to these elaborate works, Prof
Dana has printed many valuable memoirs in The
Amtroan Journal cf Science, OF which. since l9io
lie las been one OF the editors. His discourse as
President Of the American Association for the
Advancement of Science was published few
months since, ard bis article on the Harmony Of
Science an d the Bible which appeared in the last
number Of the BiJiio,heca SderG is now attract
ing great attention both in theological and sclen-
,Ec circles.
Jpon the resignation Of Prof. Silliman, sr., of
the position which he had so long filled 10 Yale
College Prof Silliman, r. was elected to the
Clair Of Chemistry, and Prof Dana to that OF
Cooley and Natural History. The engage nents
Ct II latter upon the works Of the Exploring Ex-
petition, prevented him from entering before the
present year, upon the duties Of his office. The
councuctment of hs lectures has long been anti
cipaed with eagerness by the friends and students
Ot Inc lOlltlt, Gnu IEtT commencement uuIlug
the present week has more than realized the high
est expectations.
UIon entering bis chair on Tuesday afternoon,
Prot. Dana remarked that bis thoughts turned
rather 10 the past than to the present. - feel,
said he that this is an honOred place, long held
by Il distinguished guardian of American science
Here were first opened in America the records
Of Geology, by one whose name will ever be Illus
trious ard beloved. Fiiiy-One years have passed
since Professor Silliman entered upon the active
duties Of his PrOiessoTship Of Chemistry and Cecil
Ocy. The latter science was then unknown in this
country outside the walls of Yale. Two years
before be visited Europe for the purpose of quail
fyirg himself for the duties of his post. There was
tLen no school Of science in London. Geology
was not named in the universities of England, and
accordingly Professor Silliman prepared himself
by tie study of the mines and quarries of Great
Britain and the marshes of Holland, and by the n
structiOrs of jameson Hall Hope and Playfair
at Edinburgh, TO establish at Yale department
not recognized before in this country. The science
Of Geology had tlcn no books. It had no system.
Tie disciples Of Werner, with their aqueous by
pOthefes and Of Hutton with the igneous, were
engaged in earnest combat. From the fire and
water true science emerged. Both theories were
combined in the mind of Professor Siiman in one
harmonious whole. From the time Of his return
TO this country in 1865, every year has been with
him a new development. Like nature herself be
has born flowers ss well as facts. lie became at
an early day center of illumination TO the CONT
nent tie attraction OF which light led his successor
out Of Oneida County in New-York, to Yale.
From the first, Professor Sillimsn. as geOlogist,
encountered opposition. Theologans earnestly
and honestly protested against the views which he
presented and although lie was seldom the object
of personal attack Thousands OF regrets were pri-
yately ard sometimes publicly expressed that he
,Lould lend bis influence to the promulgaton of
sucL views. But with boldness and power be stood
BY both Science and the Bible, showing that their
ltrce 4, .,ra mot in hat Ia b.rrnnpv