42 INTRODUCTION. 
history of that island, and published numerous works on 
botany and various branches of zoology, the most impor- 
tant of the latter relating to ichthyology. There is no 
published evidence that he had at this time much ac- 
quaintance with the mollusks, although by his own state- 
ment, Ins collection of shells amounted at the period of 
his embarkation from Sicily, to the incredible number of 
600,000 specimens ! On reaching the coast of the 
United States he suffered shipwreck, by which his col- 
lections, manuscripts and library, the fruits of the labor 
of years, were lost, and his property was so much im- 
paired, that he never recovered from the blow, but sunk 
into a state of poverty and even of destitution, in which 
he continued until his death in 1840. 
It is conceded on all hands, that the writings of M. 
Rafinesque, previous to his departure from Sicily, indi- 
cate the possession of considerable talent, and a degree 
of sagacity winch placed him in some respects in advance 
of his contemporaries. It is stated indeed by one of his 
partial friends, that he anticipated by ten years, a large 
proportion of the generic and sub-generic ichthyologies! 
distinctions which were subsequently taken up in the 
Regne Animal.' But it is at the same time evident, 
that his judgment was even then unsound, his discrimi- 
native perceptions of uncertain force, and that his mind 
was too easily captivated by new and original views, 
without sufficiently establishing the facts on which they 
1 Swainson. Cabinet Cyclopedia. Fishes, Amphibians auJ Reptiles, 
Vol. i. pp. 60 — 62. 
