INTRODUCTION. 41 
description alone ; and differences of opinion will arise 
as to which, among analogous species, corresponds with 
a particular description. As, however, American natu- 
ralists have felt it to be a pleasure, as well as a duty, to 
render full justice to the merits of Mr. Say, by verifying 
and confirming his discoveries, nearly all the species 
described by him, though some of them were for a time 
lost, have been re-discovered and restored ; and with a 
few exceptions only, they are retained as well defined 
and authenticated. A particular account of the contri- 
butions made by him, and also by other authors, to each 
genus, will be given in the remarks on the respective 
genera. 
The character and career of M. Rafinesque, though 
offering points of resemblance to those of Mr. Say, are 
in most respects strongly contrasted with them. lie 
was of French origin, but born in a suburb of Constan- 
tinople, and bred to the mercantile profession. He early 
imbibed a taste for the study of natural objects, which 
grew with his years, and finally so far absorbed his 
thoughts as to unfit him for other pursuits. He visited 
the United States on a trading voyage in 1803, and 
remained until 1805. He was known at that time as a 
botanist, and made the acquaintance of the few botanists 
and naturalists then existing in the country. On return- 
ing to Europe, he established himself as a merchant in 
Sicily, where he continued until his final departure for 
the United States in 1815. During this interval, he 
was industriously employed in investigating the natural 
VOL. I. 12 
