2P)2 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF. [1883. 



musings, which he did not seek to brighten by sucli display's of 

 levity or cheer. 



Yery soon after making Camden his home, Charles became 

 interested in conchology, although he had never seen a collection 

 of shells, nor known anything of their scientific arrangement or 

 method of study ; neither was he acquainted with any one at 

 work in that department of natural history. His attention also 

 became directed towards insects, especially butterflies and beetles, 

 and learning that a society had been formed for their study, he 

 applied for membership in the Entomological Society of Phila- 

 delphia, and was elected November 11, 18G1. 



This brought him in contact with men of science, and gave 

 him an opportunity to examine books and specimens that he had 

 never known of before, opening a new life and infusing a zeal 

 which increased with advancing years. 



The study of conchology and entomolog}"^ opened the way for 

 other branches of natural history' ; and having become a frequent 

 visitor at this Academy, he was brought into intimate relations 

 with several of its members who were pursuing the study of 

 botany and making collections of plants in the immediate neigh- 

 borhood of Philadelphia. He soon became interested with them 

 in their pursuits, and took up the same study with especial 

 zeal. Withal, he never neglected his business, nor failed to keep 

 his appointments and engagements therein. He was elected to 

 membership in the Academy on the 29th of August, 186.5, and 

 forthwith entered heartily into work, for it will be remembered 

 that at this time the collections were not well arranged, owing 

 to the limited space occupied, and the want of means to secure 

 the services of competent workmen ; so that almost all of the 

 labor performed was voluntary and gratuitous. 



His earliest labors in the Academy were directed to the con- 

 chological collection, and for seven years he devoted a large 

 portion of the time that could be spared from his business to its 

 systematic arrangement, preparing and mounting during that 

 period about one hundred thousand specimens, in a style which, 

 for neatness and adaptability for scientific study, has not been 

 excelled. This labor, perhaps the greatest volunteer work ever 

 done in the Academ3% was onl}'^ finished a short time before it 

 became necessary to pack the Academy- 's museum for removal to 

 the present building; he immediately engaged in this labor, and 



