538 GEORGE BENTHAM. 



read to the British Association for the Advancement of Science in 

 1874, should be much considered by those who would form a just 

 idea of the hirgeuess of Mr. Bentham's knowledge and the high 

 character of his work. 



It will have been seen that Mr. Bentham confined himself to the 

 Plia^nogamia, to morphological, taxonomical, and descriptive work, 

 not paying attention to the Cryptogamia below the Ferns, nor to 

 vegetable anatomy, physiology, or palaeontology. He was what will 

 now be called a botanist of the old school. Up to middle age and 

 beyond, he used rather to regard himself as an amateur, pursuing 

 botany as an intellectual exercise. '' There are diversities of gifts." 

 Perhaps no professional naturalist ever made more of his ; certainly 

 no one ever labored more diligently, nor indeed more successfully 

 over so wide a field, within these chosen lines. For extent and 

 variety of good work accomplished, for an intuitive sense of method, 

 for lucidity and accuracy, and for insight, George Bentham may 

 fairly be compared with Linnaeus, DeCandolIe, and Robert Brown. 



His long life was a perfect and precious example, much needed in 

 this age, of persevering and thorough devotion to Science, while un- 

 constrained as well as untrammelled by professional duty or necessity. 

 For those endowed with leisure, to "live laborious days" in her 

 service is not a common achievement. 



The tribute which the American Academy of Sciences pays to the 

 memory of a deceased Foreign Honorary Member might here fittingly 

 conclude. But one who knew him long and well may be allowed to 

 add a word upon the personal characteristics of the subject of this 

 memorial ; the more so, that he is himself greatly indebted for gener- 

 ous lielp. For, long ago, when in special need of botanical assistance, 

 Mr. Bentham invited him and his companion to his house at Pontrilas, 

 and devoted the greater part of his time for two months to his service. 

 I\Ir. Bentham's great reserve and dryness in general intercourse, and 

 his avoidance of publicity, might give the impression of an unsympa- 

 thetic nature. But he was indeed most amiable, warm-hearted, and 

 even genial, " the kindest of helpmates," the most disinterested of 

 friends. 



