BIOftRAPHIOAL SKETCH OF JOSEPH DUXOAN PUTNAM. 229 



Sciences was then unwittingly taking into its membership one who 

 was always ready to take " definite action/' and who did not put off 

 work to be done till "next Friday evening at 7^ o'clock.''"' From 

 this time on to the close of his life, following up the simply ex- 

 pressed desire to " I'/o somethtnti for scieiicf .,'''' an unflagging energ-y, 

 a growing affection and an untii'ing working capacity, were devoted 

 to the upbuilding of this central object of his regard. 



Furthermore, the father thus casually mentioned in connection 

 with this first Academy attendance, and who was hereafter a con- 

 stant associate with his youthful son at its monthly meetings, not 

 only lent the moral sanction of his paternal approval, but was ever 

 ready to respond to any appeals for material assistance, even when 

 burdened with the increasing cares of an engrossing business. The 

 financial records of the Academy will show in not a few instances, 

 how the father stood by the son in his struggling efforts to build up 

 the most important interests of the Academy. 



It was while still a school boy, the exact date of which is not re- 

 corded, that young Putnam had his first and only interview with the 

 gifted and eccentric western entomologist, B. D. Walsh, of Rock 

 Island. This introduction was effected through a favorite teacher. 

 Miss Z. Severance, (now Mrs. I. S. Newberry). A brief account of 

 the interview given by tliis lad}' represents a very cordial and mu- 

 tually satisfactory acquaintance, which was unfortunately not le- 

 newed on account of the accidental death of Mr. Walsh soon after. 



In 1871, then in his sixteenth year, Mr. Putnam had an opportu- 

 nity to extend the field of his enlarging observations by a visit to his 

 paternal relatives at Saratoga, New York. At this time lie came in- 

 to intimate personal relations with an experienced naturalist. Dr. 

 R. T^. Allen, an uncle by marriage on his father's side. Here he 

 had an opportuiiity to inspect a natural history collection, and gain 

 free access to a scientific library. He here enjoyed the privilege of 

 meeting on familiar terms the distinguished State Geologist, Prof. 

 James Hall, and also the veteran entomologist. Dr. Asa Fitch, of 

 Salem, New York. The inspiring effect of these interviews was 

 plainly shown in his familiar home letters describing these visits 

 and the impressions made on him. Not satisfied with a mere casual 

 impression, young Putnam eagerly noted the methods of observation 

 and appliances for preserving specimens so important for his future 

 studies. At the same time his active mind was employed in tracing 

 up genealogical records, and refreshing his memory with the histor- 

 ical (hUn pertaining to that noted locality. 



