Oliver D. Norton. 49 



and had already taken a course in practical chemistry. Anat- 

 omy and physiology came along in the course of his medical 

 studies, and it is not to be wondered at that he was deeply 

 engrossed in natural history. He was a diligent and discrim- 

 inating collector of minerals and shells, and invariably enter- 

 tained his visitor with an account of the history of some 

 specimen he thought would interest him. The Cincinnati 

 Society of Natural History was organized in January, 1870, 

 and in July, 1872, Dr. Norton joined it. By turning over the 

 pages of its records, it will be found that from 1882 until 1899, 

 when, because of the infirmities of age, he was unable longer 

 to attend its meetings. Dr. Norton continuously rendered some 

 official service to this Society. So long as his health permitted 

 he was regularly present at the monthly meetings, and rarely 

 came that he did not bring with him a specimen for the Soci- 

 ety's collection. 



He was first elected Curator of Botany in 1882, and served 

 two years. He was again elected to the same Curatorship to 

 fill a vacancy in 1888. He served one year as Curator of 

 Comparative Anatomy, three years as Curator of Osteology 

 and three years as Curator of Anthropology. He was a mem- 

 ber of the Executive Board for eight years, serving from 1885 

 to 1889, and again from 1892 to 1896. He became a life mem- 

 ber in 1892, and in 1898 was elected President of this Society. 



Up to a comparatively short time before his death, he could 

 be seen in the spring tramping over the hills and hollows in 

 search of plants and flowers, as full of enthusiasm as in the 

 days of his youth. Advancing years brought no abatement 

 of his love for investigation and search among the works of 

 his Creator. A student from early boyhood, he carried this 

 thirst for knowledge to the end of his days. He was a con- 

 stant contributor to the collection of the Societv, especially in 

 the departments of conchology and mineralogv. It was 

 through his good offices in 1874 that the Society was able to 

 purchase from the owner the splendid specimen of Biso]i lat- 

 ifrons, which has adorned its walls ever since. 



