XVI BULLETIN NO. 23, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



last volume wa.s published iu 1874, and still tbe Americau TJnionidcs 

 were not exhausted. At that time no writer in Europe had any idea 

 of the extent of the species in the United States, as the Unionidw are 

 more developed in this country than elsewhere. The baron's cabinet 

 was rich in valuable specimens. It contained the Unionidw which Spix 

 and Von Martius brought from Brazil, and others from Syria, Turkey, 

 and Egypt. Mr. Lea spent two hours of eight consecutive mornings 

 going over tlie collection, which he rearranged, cutting down the species 

 and forming synonyms almost without end. 



During Mr. Lea's visit in London the announcement of Cuvier's death 

 was made. His loss to science was universally lamented. Mr. Lea had 

 brought from America a letter and some books from Professor Silliinau 

 for him. He called at Cuvier's late residence, intending to leave them, 

 but his daughter requested to see him. She was, of course, in great 

 grief, and stated that her mother was prostrated by their great loss. 

 She, however, wislied him to see her father's library, and he spent some 

 time looking it over. Among the many fine works it contained she 

 pointed out Poll's great work on the MoUusca of the Mediterranean,* 

 j)ublished at the expense of the King of Naples, certainly the most im- 

 portant work on the mollusca.t 



While iu Paris Mr. Lea accompauit'd Baron Ferussac to a meeting of 

 the Institute, and was there introduced to the president. La Croix, the 

 mathematician, Latreille, Blainville, and Frederick Cuvier. There were 

 about one hundred members present. Biot, St. Hilaire, and others 

 were pointed out. By appointment Mr. Lea met Blainville, Ferussac, 

 and other scientists at the Jardin des Plantes to arrange and name all 

 the Unionidce of the collection, which he did, adding fourteen species. 



Leaving Paris he went to Belgium, and from thence ascended the 

 Ehine into Switzerland. At Berne he called on Professor Studer the 

 elder, who was then blind. A letter from Baron Ferussac was his in- 

 troduction. The professor needed no letter. He was extremely kind, 

 and, after spending two hours over his collection, which at that date 

 was the best in Switzerland, he presented to Mr. Lea the last copy iu 

 his possession -of his work on the laud and fresh water shells of that 

 countrj", complimenting him on the papers which he had written. His 

 son, who had succeeded him in the university, was present, and offered 

 his services to Mr. Lea during his sojourn in Berne. 



At Geneva Mr. Lea called on De Candolle, to whom he had a letter 

 from Baron Ferussac. Unfortunately he was out of the city. Mr. Lea, 

 however, had previously corresponded with De Luc, whom he saw and 

 who took him to a meeting of the Societe de Physique et d'Histoire 

 Naturelle, where he was made acquainted with the leading members. 



* A few years afterward Mr. Lea procured this work through Prince Charles Buona- 

 parte. 



t M. Blainville showed to Mr. Lea with great pride the wax models of these mol- 

 lusca, which Napoleon had brought to Paris after he had subdued the kiugdora of 

 Naples. 



