i8 THE PLANT WORLD. 



removed to New Haven, where he studied under Prof. Silliman. 

 After taking courses in chemistry, geology and mineralogy he took up 

 his residence near Williams College, where he gave volunteer courses 

 of lectures to the students on botany, geology and mineralogy. Here in 

 1817 he published the first edition of his Manual of Botany. The field 

 of these lectures was gradually extended to include the principal towns 

 in New England and New York, and were everywhere received with 

 enthusiasm. He possessed " an easy flow of language, a popular ad- 

 dress, and a generous enthusiasm in matters of science, which easily 

 communicated itself to his pupils," and as a result of his labors there 

 sprang up 'an army of botanists and geologists. ' 



Professor Eaton was among the first to study with his classes in 

 the field. In his geological survey of certain counties in New York, 

 he inaugurated the system of geological survey in this country. He 

 also published a number of geological text-books in this at that time 

 little worked field. 



In 1824 he was placed at the head of the School of Science 

 founded by Stephen Van Rensselaer at Troy, N. Y., and here he 

 passed the remainder of his days. This institution, now known as the 

 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, owes much to Professor Eaton. He 

 introduced and developed the system of instruction by means of lect- 

 ures and experiments conducted by the students themselves, and va- 

 rious other reforms. 



Professor Eaton's botanical works were as follows: Botanical Dic- 

 tionary, 181 7; Botanical Exercises, 1820; Botanical Grammar and Dic- 

 tionary, 1828. Th.Q Manual of Botany passed through eight editions, 

 the final one appearing in 1840, with the colaboration of Dr. John 

 Wright. It contains descriptions of some 5986 species of plants and 

 did much to stimulate the study of systematic botany in North America. 



A word may be said of his personality ; — He is described by Pro- 

 fessor Albert Hopkins of Williams College as "of striking personage, 

 a large form, somewhat portly and dignified, though free from what 

 is commonly called starch. His face was highly intellectual, the fore- 

 head high and somewhat retreating, locality strongly marked, and 

 the organs of observation and comparison well developed. His hair 

 was black, and, being combed back, rendered his fine physiognomy 

 still more striking. " The fine portrait which we are able to present 

 is by the kindness of his great-grandson, Mr. George Francis Eaton, 

 of New Haven, Conn. It is from the original steel engraving by 

 Richey of Boston. The main facts in this article have been derived 

 from the sketch of Professor Eaton in the Popular Science Monthly 

 for November, 1890. 



