IN MEMORIAM: ELLIOTT COUES. xli 



at his home in Washino[ton, and an expert examination at Johns Hopkins Hospital 

 in Baltimore gave but little hope for the preservation of his life. During these last 

 days I received a number of letters from him explaining frankly his condition and 

 how few were his chances for life, and just before submitting to the operation came 

 one virtually bidding me farewell and announcing the close of our correspondence, 

 that had extended over many years. On the 6th of December the operation was 

 performed, and for a short time there was a probability that his life would be pro- 

 longed ; but it was not to be, for he had finished his work and he was to rest from 

 his labors. Throughout his illness he exhibited the natural bravery of spirit habitual 

 to him ; not a murmur or complaint of the excessive and lasting pain, but gentle 

 and courteoush' appreciative of every attention, and at the last overcoming for an 

 instant the weakness that denoted the approach of that moment when his freed 

 spirit should depart and soar above all earthly things, he raised himself in his 

 bed, and with all the old-time vigor of voice exclaimed, " Welcome, oh, welcome, 

 beloved death ! " and sinking backwards on the pillow he was at rest. Nevermore 

 shall you welcome to your midst this courteous gentleman, who was the considerate 

 friend, the able counsellor, the chivalrous debater, the one most capable of leader- 

 ship, yet always willing to yield to another, the trained scientist, the accomplished 

 anatomist, the able naturalist, the conscientious historian. His was a life of intense 

 activity, and that which his hand found to do he did with all his might ; and of 

 none can it be more appropriately said, " Nihil tetigit quod non ornavit." 



Cones, as may be readily supposed, was the recipient of many scientific honors, 

 and he was an Honorary or Active member of a very large number of societies, both 

 in this country and in Europe, and at the time of his election to our National 

 Academy he was, I believe, its youngest member. The list of scientific societies 

 with which he was connected numbers between fifty and sixty, far too many for 

 ine to attempt to give their titles at this time, yet none of them was so distinguished 

 but that it received as well as conferred an honor by having his name upon its rolls. 

 As a naturalist Coues will always hold the highest rank in the estimation of all who 

 are familiar with his works ; and in that galaxy of eminent names which sheds so 

 great a brilliancy on the scientific annals of our own land, none shall appear in the 

 years to come more lustrous than that of our late distinguished colleague and friend. 

 But the brilliant mind no longer teems with thoughts of earth, and the hand that 

 executed its commands lies motionless, and we, who are drawing near to that 

 shining portal through which he has so lately passed, and from whose farther side 

 no steps are ever retraced by any one of mortal birth, may never look upon his like 

 again, whose pen was the " pen of a ready writer," fit instrument to convey and 

 render permanent the eloquence of thought, beauty of diction, and facility of expres- 

 tion of Nature's illustrious disciple and interpreter. 



D. G. ELLIOT, F. R. S. E., etc. 



