220 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 



Address of Key. Robert C. Waterston'. 



On a semi-centennial celebration like this, while we have reason to congratulate the 

 members of the Society of Natural History here assembled, on the great success which has 

 crowned our past efforts, and on the cheering prospects of the future, which dawn before 

 us like the morning of a yet brighter day, still we cannot but recall with feelings of sad- 

 ness and solemnity the many who have labored with us in the earlier history of the 

 Society, no longer here. Largely to their unwearied eiforts are we indebted for the 

 prosperity we no^v enjoy. Constant inspiration comes to iis from the remembrance of 

 their quickening zeal, their love of knowledge, and their generous desire to communicate 

 to others, what they so profoundly valued themselves. How heartily do we wish they 

 could be with us, on this eventful day. And yet, as we look around upon these walls, and 

 gaze upon the life-like portraits of the past officers and benefactors of the Society, it 

 seems as if, in very truth, they were actually here, participating with us in the privileges 

 of this occasion. 



Before us, is our first President, Dr. B. D. Greene, with his calm expression of blended 

 sweetness and power. A love of nature pervaded his life. Extensively on this con- 

 tinent, in the tropics, and in most of th^ countries of Europe, he diligently pufsued his 

 botanical researches. Blessed with ample means, he was able to make his investigations 

 under every advantage. Years which might have been given to luxurious repose, were 

 by him gladly devoted to earnest study. Thus did he acquire a knowledge seldom sur- 

 passed, and while constantly consulted by younger botanists, never did he decline to 

 impart from his abundant resources. We do not forget that his rare herbariiun, contain- 

 ing the results of long personal industry, and the fruit of more than a quarter of a cent- 

 ury of intercourse and exchange with Sir William Hooker and other distinguished botan- 

 ists in every section of the globe, including plants gathered during the first Expedition of 

 Sir John Franklin, constituting in all an invaluable collection for quality as well as quan- 

 tity, we do not forget that this he presented to the Societj^, together with between one 

 and two thousand volumes of botanical works from his library ; and that at the time of 

 his death, he enriched the Society by a munificent bequest. 



And here by his side, is " the beloved physician," Dr. Augustus A. Gould, who from his 

 large professional labors, could always find time for the benefit of this Society. In the 

 department of conchology he was an acknowledged authority. The collections here bear 

 testimony to his zeal. I well remember the interest he awakened by one of his lectures to 

 teachers within these walls. Many of his hearers stopped and expressed their wish 

 to visit in his company the sea-shore, that they might gather shells on the sands and 

 listen to his instruction in the midst of Nature. He made arrangements with them on 

 the spot, and within a week they went together to a neighboring beach, and there 

 they passed such a day as they will never forget. 



And here is our friend Professor Jeffries Wyman, who shunned poj)ularity, rather than 

 sought it, and who cared always to be and never to seem. His aim was ever Truth, simple, 

 absolute Truth. Indefatigable in his researches, he would never abandon any investiga- 

 tion until it was thoroughly completed, and would leave nothing for students who should 

 come after, but astonishment at what he had accomplished. While engrossed in his studies 



