196 MICHIGAN ACADEMY OF SCIENCE. 



ABRAM SAGER, A. M., M. D. 



Abram Sager was born at Bethlehem, Albany county, New York, 

 December 22, 1810. In 1831 he was graduated from the Rensselaer 

 Polytechnic Institute at Troy, New York, in which he had spent two 

 years as pupil and instructor. While at this institution he was under 

 the instruction of Professors Torrey and Eaton, men of note in the 

 fields of botany and zoology. Their influence and guidance did much 

 to direct his attention to these subjects. It maj' be stated that on the 

 death of Professor Eaton, Dr. Sager was tendered the presidency of 

 the Rensselaer Polytechnicum, but found it necessary to decline. Later, 

 Dr. Sager continued his studies at Albany and at New Haven, Con- 

 necticut. At the latter place his work was done under the supervision of 

 Professors Marsh and Ives, names well known to American science. He 

 graduated in medicine at Castleton, Vermont, in 1835. After gradu- 

 ating in medicine Dr. Sager came to Detroit and engaged in general 

 practice. In February, 1837, Governor Mason approved an act for 

 the organization of a geological survey of the State of Michigan. It 

 provided for a geological, zoological, botanical, and topographical sur- 

 vey. Under this act Dr. Sager was placed in charge of the Botanical 

 and Zoological Departments. The second annual report of this survey 

 contains a pa])er entitled, '*A Systematic Catalogue of the Animals of 

 the State, so far as Observed," by Dr. Sager. 



In 1842 Dr. Sagei* assumed the duties of Professor of Zoology and 

 Botany in the University of Michigan, and he continued in this chair 

 until 1850, when, upon the organization of the Medical Department, 

 Dr. Sager's work was transferred to the new department. The posi- 

 tions which he held in the State University may be summarized as fol- 

 lows : He was professor of Zoology and Botany, from 1842 to 1850 ; 

 professor of Obstetrics, Diseases of Women and Children, and professor 

 of Botany and Zoology, from 1850 to 1854; professor of Obstetrics, Physi- 

 ology, Botany and Zoology, from 1854 to 1855; professor of Obstetrics 

 and Physiology, from 1855 to 1860; professor of Obstetrics and Diseases 

 of Women and Children, from 1860 to 1875. He prepared and presented 

 to the University a herbarium containing about 1,200 species and 12,000 

 specimens. He collected and ])repared many zoological preparations, 

 and these constituted the nucleus of llie present University Museum. He 

 also i)rei)ared many specimens illustrating Comparative Neurology, Em- 

 bryology and Craniology. In addition to the above he made and pre- 

 sented to the University a large collection of parasites found in man and 

 other vertebrates and these are still to be found in the Pathological 

 Museum. 



XN'hile in general practice in Detroit he published an article on Ameri- 

 can Amphibia, which was translated and republished in German. In this 

 article the author treats of the generic value of the arrangement and 

 location of teeth in amphibia and describes more fully certain American 

 salamanders, noting several new species. He also reported several zoolog- 



