INTRODUCTION. 



41 



description alone ; and differences of opinion will arise 

 as to -which, among analogous species, corresponds with 

 a particular description. As, however, American natu- 

 ralists have felt it to be a pleasure, as well as a duty, to 

 render full justice to the merits of Mr. Say, by verifying 

 and confiramig his discoveries, nearly all the species 

 described by liim, though some of them were for a time 

 lost, have been re-discovered and restored ; and with a 

 few exceptions only, they are retained as well defined 

 and authenticated. A particular account of the contri- 

 butions made by him, and also by other authors, to each 

 genus, will be given in the remarks on the respective 

 genera. 



The character and career of M. Rafinesque, though 

 offering points of resemblance to those of Mr. Say, are 

 in most; respects strongly contrasted with them. He 

 was of French origin, but born in a suburb of Constan- 

 tinople, and bred to the mercantile profession. He early 

 imbibed a taste for the study of natural objects, which 

 grew with his years, and finally so far absorbed his 

 thoughts as to unfit liim for other pursuits. He visited 

 the United States on a tradmg voyage m 1803, and 

 remained untU 1805. He was known at that time as a 

 botanist, and made the acquaintance of the few botanists 

 and naturalists then existing in the coimtry. On return- 

 ing to Europe, he estabhshed himself as a merchant in 

 Sicily, Avhere he continued until his final departure for 

 the United States in 1815. During this interval, he 

 was industriously employed in mvestigatmg the natural 



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