FLORENTINO AMEGHINO 



305 



spirit. Some of his work, indeed, appears hasty and ill-considered, and 

 its value seriously marred by a partisan and contentious maintenance of 

 theoretic conclusions which most paleontologists have found it impos- 

 sible to accept. Ameghino regarded the age of the later formations of 

 Argentina as much greater than his confreres in Europe and North 

 America could admit, and maintained views in regard to the phylogeny 

 and derivation of the Tertiary faunae, which, however skilfully de- 

 fended, are not likely to find acceptance. But these peculiarities of 

 theory and temperament should not blind us to the immense value and 

 interest of his discoveries, nor to the vast learning and indefatigable 

 industry with which they were brought before the scientific world. Nor 

 should they prevent due meed of admiration to his enthusiasm and 

 energy and sincere love of science. It is pleasant to record that even in 

 his earlier years he had won his way to the high respect and honor of 

 his fellow citizens and to an admittedly high standing abroad. He oc- 

 cupied for a time the chair of zoology and comparative anatomy in the 

 University of Cordoba, and in 1886 was appointed secretary and sub- 

 director of the La Plata Museum, but resigned this post two years later 

 owing to differences with the director, Senor F. P. Moreno, and for ten 

 or twelve years afterwards seems to have held no important official posi- 

 tions. In 1903 when the directorship of the Museo Nacional of Buenos 

 Aires became vacant, Seiior Ameghino was appointed to this honorable 

 post. Under his direction the museum has shown great vigor and ac- 

 tivity, while his researches bore fruit in a series of publications, now 



FifVADAV:,'. 







Fig. 2. The " Rivadavia " Stationer's Shop in La Plata. 



Courtesy of Professor W. B. Scott. 



From the management of this business Ameghino secured the means to carry on 

 his great researches in Argentine paleontology, and to maintain numerous expeditions 

 'by his brother Carlos into central and southern Patagonia. 



VOL. LXXX. — 



