SKETCH OF THOMAS SAY. 691 



Whilst sitting in the large earth-covered dwelling of the principal 

 chief, in presence of several hundred of his people, assembled to view 

 the arms, equipments, and appearance of our party, I enjoyed the 

 additional gratification to see an individual of this fine species of 

 Blaps running toward us from the feet of the crowd. The act of 

 impaling this unlucky fugitive at once conferred upon me the respect- 

 ful and mystic title of * medicine-man ' from the superstitious faith 

 of that simple people." 



Say's two principal works, published separately, were his "Ameri- 

 can Entomology " in three volumes (Philadelphia, 1824-1828), with 

 fifty-four colored plates ; and his " American Conchology," of which 

 only six parts appeared previous to his death. The work on ento- 

 mology was a credit to himself and to the printer, while almost the 

 only merit possessed by the latter work was the fine plates from the 

 pencil of Mrs. Say. Mr. Say's other published papers will be found 

 in the " Journal of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia," 

 "Transactions of the American Philosophical Society," "Maclurean 

 Lyceum," "Nicholson's Encyclopa3dia," " American Journal of Science 

 and Art," " Western Quarterly Reporter," reports of Long's expedi- 

 tions, and several papers which were published separately at New Har- 

 mony. His entomological papers have been collected and reprinted, 

 with annotations, by Dr. J. L. Le Conte, in two octavo volumes (New 

 York, 1869). 



Besides the work which appears in connection with his own name, 

 almost all of the publications of Prince Charles Lucien Bonaparte, 

 while in America, were corrected and arranged for the press by Say. 

 This and other work made such calls upon his time that almost all of 

 his own work was the product of the midnight hours ; and this, in con- 

 nection with his wicked disregard of the demands of his stomach, so 

 undermined his constitution that, when attacked by a fever in his 

 Western home, he had not the strength to rally, and on October 10, 

 1834, he passed away. 



According to the testimony of all who knew him, Mr. Say was a 

 most pleasant and agreeable companion, a thorough student, and a man 

 of the most unpretentious manner. Always ready to assist a friend, 

 his stores of knowledge were freely opened to those who asked, and 

 information was cheerfully granted to all inquirers. 



