18S2.] -jJt) [Rothrook. 



lu 1878 another catalogue of Western Mosses was published by Mr. 

 James in Volume VI of the Wheeler Survey. It contains short notes, and 

 descriptions of the less known species. 



In the Proceedings of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences for 

 February, 1879, conjointlj^ with Leo Lesquereux, he published "Descrip- 

 tion of some new Species of North American Mosses." 



At the time of his death Mr. James was engaged with Mr. Lesquereux 

 in the preparation of "A Synopsis of North American Mosses," a work 

 which is of greater magnitude and importance than its modest title would 

 indicate. Together they had advanced to the Hypnacege, and of it Mr. 

 Lesquereux writes to me "If I have time to finish this Avork, it must be 

 published in both names." 



I cannot forbear quoting what his distinguished colleague has written 

 of Mr. James in a private letter to me. It is of far greater Avorth than any 

 statement of mine can be : 



"An excellent microscopist and delineator; an ardent collector of 

 Mosses, he constantly devoted himself to their study. I came to this 

 country in 1848, and it Avas only a little after my arrival here that he be- 

 gan sending me his mosses for determination. Our connection continued 

 until his death. I received a letter from him but a few days before this. 

 When I was obliged to abandon the use of the microscope he worked con- 

 stantly upon sketches of all the interesting or doubtful American species 

 and prepared for the descriptive part of which I took charge. He had, 

 moreover, to give much time to the examination of collections of mosses 

 sent for determination from various parts of the continent, those of E. Hall 

 from Oregon, Macoon in Canada, Wolff and others from Illinois, so that 

 his work and influence in the Bryology of North America have been very 

 great, though his publications are limited to a few catalogues or memoirs." 

 Then follows this touching tribute from his associate in Avhat was to have 

 been the crowning task of his active life : "As a colleague, as a man of 

 truth, of honor, I regret him very much, but still more as an old friend. 

 We were about the same age and I expected he would survive me for a 

 long time." Surely such testimony from one Avho had constant relations 

 Avith Mr. James for more than thirty years, in the same line of work, is 

 praise indeed, and speaks volumes for the integrity and amiability of both. 



In this connection I may add how cheerfully he always aided those who 

 appealed to him for assistance in naming what to them Avere doubtful and 

 difficult species. However badly prepared the specimens might have 

 been, however common, or howcA^er worthless the material was to him, 

 the same careful reply was always sent to the inquirer. These demands 

 upon his time were frequent and serious ; indeed Ave may fairly say that 

 during his earlier years they Avere detrimental to his business. But from 

 sympathy with, and desire to aid any fellow-student he tolerated these ap- 

 peals to the very last. It is almost a pity that time which had become so 

 valuable to science, during his later, most productive years, was so freely 

 given away. 



