82 



The first edition of this work, prepared for distribution at his 

 own expense, was liberally distributed among public scientific 

 institutions, as well as private individuals, to whom he thought it 

 might be usefuh It was soon exhausted, and such was the de- 

 mand made upon him for other copies, that he prepared a second, 

 with corrections and additions, which was brought to its comple- 

 tion a few months before he died. 



A short time before his death. Dr. Warren obtained the animal 

 of the Argonaut in the shell, within which last were also con- 

 tained the eggs. This interested him very much. Assisted by 

 Dr. Kneeland, a paper had been prepared, comprising nearly all 

 that was known on the subject, including the discussions in regard 

 to the question of parasitism or non-parasitism, and the history of 

 the still more curious and interesting subject of the Hectocotyle, or 

 male arm of the Argonaut. This paper it was his intention to 

 have read at the meeting which was held on the night previous 

 to his decease, and this meeting, as will be remembered, he had 

 hoped might be held at his own house, where he had so often offered 

 us its hospitality. He had given the invitation into the hands of 

 the Secretary, when the slight illness, from which he had been for 

 some days suffering, became suddenly more alarming, and ter- 

 minated his life on May 4, 1856. 



Such is an imperfect sketch of the life of our late President, — 

 a life characterized through a long series of years by entire 

 devotion to its duties. Among the prominent traits of his char- 

 acter we find that important element, decision, which may give 

 prominence to a man of even moderate powers, and without 

 which wise men are weak ; and nowhere is its importance more 

 conspicuous than in the practice of medicine and surgery. How 

 often does it happen, that when those to whom the question of 

 life and death is intrusted are wavering, that one decided act 

 encourages every heart and steadies every hand. Naturally of a 

 highly sociable disposition, he entered with vivacity, but tem- 

 perately, into the pleasures and enjoyments of youth; in maturer 

 years, when his profession absorbed all his time and energy, he 

 was a man of few words, often stern, requiring strict compliance 

 of those who were subordinate to him, ever intent upon the duty 

 of the day. He influenced most men by the force of his will, but 

 he excited the animosity of others who could not brook control. 



