147 



1892.] XT! [Ruschcnberger. 



seldom advertiiiii' to its useful applications in suruery or the practice of 

 medicine, but not merely for the sake of imparting knowledge of his sub- 

 ject. He carefully taught human anatomy as a means of self-mainte- 

 uaiice. And within his domain he zealously wrought to promote the 

 welfare of the medical department of the University, the principal source 

 of his livelihood. This was his serious occupation, his work, which to 

 all concerned was always acceptably done, during thirty-eight years. In 

 all that period he was absent from his post through indisposition in the 

 aggregate only five days. 



His pastime, while not engaged in his appointed task, was somewhat 

 different though not less laborious. To increase knowledge of natural 

 things, animate or inanimate, gigantic or microscopic, seemed to be a 

 ruling passion ; and, like a true huntsman, he cared less for the capture 

 than for the pleasure of pursuing his game. 



It may be truly said that Dr. Leidy was born to be a naturalist. To his 

 iQuate ability to perceive the minutest variations in the forms and color 

 of things was united artistic aptitude of a high order. These natural facul- 

 ties, in continuous exercise almost from his infantile days, and his love of 

 accuracy, enabled him to detect minute differences and resemblances of 

 all objects, and to correctly describe and portray them. Besides, nothing, 

 however small, that came within the scope of his vision, while walking 

 or riding, escaped his notice. 



He says (p. 294) of his work on Fresh Water Rhizopods, 1879 : "The 

 study of natural history in the leisure of my life, since I was fourteen 

 years of age, has been to me a constant source of happiness, and my expe- 

 rience of it is such that, independently of its higher merits, I warmly 

 recommend it, than which, I believe, no other can excel it. At the same 

 time, observing the modes of life of those around me, it has been a matter 

 of unceasing regret that so few, so ver}^ few people give attention to intel- 

 lectual pursuits of any kind." 



His first important work in natural history was begun in the winter of 

 1844, at the instance of Mr. Amos Binney, President of the Boston Society 

 of Natural History. It is entitled, Special Anatomy of tJie Terrestrial 

 Gasteropoda of the United States. By Joseph Leidy, M. D., of Philadel- 

 phia. Quarto, pp. 169 ; illustrated by 16 plates, containing 120 figures. 



This admirable essay is included in the first of the three handsome vol- 

 umes of Mr. Binney's work.* In the Preface Mr. Biuney says : "The 

 author is gratified in announcing that the anatomical details of the species, 

 together with the dissections and drawings, are exclusively due to the 

 labors of Joseph Leidy, M.D., of Philadelphia. They constitute the most 

 novel and important accessions to science contained in the work, and are 



* The TeireHrial Air-breathing Jfdlusk^ of the United States a7id the Adjacent Territories of 

 North America ; described and illustrateil. By Amos Binney. Edited by Augustus A. 

 ■Gould. Charles C. Little and James Browu. Boston, 1851. Quarto, Vol. i, pp. 366, 16 plates ; 

 Vol. ii, pp. 362, 74 plates ; Vol. iii, pp. 183, 57 plates. 



Mr. Binney died February 1><, 1847. 



