^fE.^roIR ok Joseph duxcan putxam — w. ,j. mcGEe. 245 



books, his manuscripts, his letters, his lists and catalogues, and all 

 of his writings, even down to the most trivial records, are models of 

 perspicacity, simplicity, brevity and convenience, and are a revela- 

 tion to the average naturalist, whose preliminary notes can be deci- 

 phered only while fresh, even by himself. 



Late in 1881, Mr. Putnam's always precarious health became so 

 much worse than ever before, that all out-door work was rendered 

 impossible; the dread disease, consumption, became complicated 

 with others equally insidious and fatal ; the magnificent store of 

 nervous energy ran low; the indomitable will ceased to struggle 

 against the inevitable; and on December 10th, a few hours after 

 completing the revision of the proofs of a forthcon)ing volume of the 

 Proceedings of the Davenport Academy, he breathed his last. 

 Then, more than ever before, his high character and extended repu- 

 tation as a thorough naturalist, as an upright man, as a steadfast 

 friend, and as a lovable companion, became known. His death 

 spread a gloom over the whole of his own community; the funeral 

 services were attended alike by high and low; the memorial meet- 

 ing of the x^cademy was the most impressive ever held in the city; 

 letters of sympathy and condolence poured in froui all parts of the 

 land; and appreciative obituary notices appeared in all the leading 

 scientific journals of this and other countries. His twenty-six years 

 were not lived for naught. 



Mr. Putnam's scientific publications were not voluminous. Aside 

 from those relating to the bark lice, his most important investigations 

 were never fully elaborated, and were embodied only in notes, let- 

 ters, and incomplete manuscripts. The following list includes the 

 more valuable of his papers: 



1. 1875.— " Report upon the Reeonnoissaace of Northwestern Wyoming, 

 * * made in the summer of 1873, by William A. Jones, Cap- 

 tain of Engineers." — " Entomological Report, l)v J. D. Putnam." 

 Pp. 315-8. 



This report includes a list of Coleoptera^ a catalogue of Indian 

 names for insects, and a catalogue of Indian names for colors. The 

 chapter on meteorology (jip. 5S-81) is compiled mainly from Mr. 

 Putnam's observations. 



3. 1876. — Proceeding)! of the Davenport Academy of Natural Sciences. Vol. 



I. — "The Maple Bark Louse {Lecaniiun a cer cicala).'" Pp. 37-8. 

 8. 1876. — Ibid. — " Hieroglyphics Observed in Summit Canon, Utah, and on 



Little Popoagie River, in Wyoming." Pp. 143-5. PI. XXVII— 



XXX. 



