•210 DAVENPORT ACADEMY OK >'ATURAL SCIENCES. 



actual coming. It was this determined spirit to carry out an end in 

 view, coupled with a thoroughness of work that made him what he 

 was. A trait made the more noticeable in a country' where all is 

 hurry, and the great aim is to reach an end regardless of the way, or 

 the perfection of the work. 



No difficulties discouraged him. An ohstacle was never a barrier, 

 only something to be surmounted. If unable to find a way of ac- 

 complishing a task, he made a way. If what he wanted to learn 

 was hidden in a foreign language, he learned the language. If he 

 needed unobtainable tools, he made them, and learned all about 

 their manufacture before he did so. If he wished to print, he 

 learned the art — not only in its practice, but its theory and history. 

 If he needed a steel plate, he engraved it; a wood-cut or etching, he 

 made it. And his work compared favorably with that of the best art- 

 ists. Time consumed was nothing; and delays never exhausted his 

 patience. If books were needed to which he had not present access, 

 he made memoranda of what he wanted, and waited until large 

 libraries could be visited; and never stopped until all known author- 

 ity was consulted, and the subject exhausted. When he had mas- 

 tered what others knew, he built "on their knowledge by original 

 thought and research. 



To him nothing was small or insignificant. He looked at every- 

 thing through a microscope, and saw its importance. He paid as 

 much attention to details as to great results. Wherever he laid his 

 hand this is seen. System and thoroughness in everything. None 

 can appreciate this so well, as those who worked with him. 



The amount of labor he has done is really astonishing; not only 

 in his own special study of entomology, but in other departments, 

 and es])ecially in the routine work of the Academy: for there is no 

 part, department, or work of the Academy, but that shows the labor 

 of his hands and mind. He never seemed to tire, or become dis- 

 couraged from press of work; but moved steadily onward and ac- 

 complished each self-imposed task in its order, and was ever ready 

 to take up new burdens. The committee he was on always acted 

 promptly, did its work and was ready to report; because such com- 

 mittee usually resolved itself into one member, and he was the one; 

 for the reason he took hold with mcjre zest, proceeded more promjjtly 

 with thejnatter in hand; took all the burden on his own shoulders, 

 and left the othei' members of the committee in the back ground. 

 All were only too willing he should do so. for they knew the work 

 would be better done bv him alone, than with their help; and all 



