442 



NOAH POItTKR. 



him the degree of Doctor of Laws. The Boston Society of Natural 

 History awarded to hiin, in 1879, the Walker grand prize of $500, 

 which in this instance was raised to $1,000 as a special recognition of 

 his eontrihutions to science. In 1879 he received a prize from the 

 Royal Microscopical Society. The Geological Society of London 

 awarded to him, in 1884, the Sir Charles Lyell medal for his pale- 

 ontological researches ; and in 1888 he received from the Paris Acad- 

 emy of Sciences the Cuvier medal for his work in biology. In the 

 period from 1845 to 1887 he was elected honorary member by over 

 forty of the learned societies of Europe and this country. 



It is impossible in this brief notice to do more than indicate in the 

 most general manner the life work of this great man, which covers 

 almost a half-century. In this period his eontrihutions to natural his- 

 tory number nearly one thousand, ranging from short papers to large 

 illustrated volumes, which probably contain fewer errors of fact and 

 interpretation than those of any other writer on so many and such 

 varied subjects. His personal character was in perfect accord with his 

 wonderful mental attainments. He was remarkable for an entire ab- 

 sence of self-assertion or conceit. Wholly unselfish, his amiability and 

 charming simplicity of manner rendered him a delightful companion, 

 always approachable and ready to aid a student by advice or expla- 

 nation. In the lecture-room his clear and concise descriptions formed 

 word pictures rivalling in distinctness his admirable blackboard illus- 

 trations. He was as incapable of deceit as he was modest, and sub- 

 mitted to imposition rather than enter into controversy. His long life 

 was devoted to science for the advancement of knowledge, and with- 

 out thought of gain or personal glory. 



Notwithstanding failing health during the last few months, Dr. 

 Leidy still continued his active work ; and thus, as he desired, with 

 his shoulder to the wheel, one of America's greatest naturalists passed 

 away. 



NOAH PORTER. 



Noatt Porter, son of Rev. Noah Porter, D. D. (Yale College, 

 1803), was born in Farmington, Conn., on the 14th of December, 

 1811. His father was pastor of the Congregational Church in that 

 town for nearly sixty years, and had high reputation as a learned, 

 wise, faithful, and efficient minister. The son graduated at Yale Col- 

 lege in 1831, and immediately took charge of the Hopkins Grammar 

 School in New Haven, — a position which at the end of two years he 



