80 DAVENPORT ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES. 



an early and deep interest in the study and examination of the pre-liistoric 

 mounds of his district, and was among the first to detect and publish the 

 fact that many of the mounds represented in outline various animal fig- 

 ures. A full accoimt of these, with actual measurements and figures, 

 was published in early numbers of the Smithsonian Contributions. 

 Among his other active labors as a surveyor, he made some of the ear- 

 liest collections of plants in Wisconsin, and also published at different 

 times in Agricultural Reports, lists of the native grasses of Wisconsin 

 and Northern Illinois. 



Mr. Lapham was always foremost in every enteprise to cultivate a 

 taste for scientific investigations, was one of the original founders of the 

 Wisconsin Historical Society, and later of the Wisconsin Academy of 

 Science. He assisted largely in carrying on the Geological Survey of the 

 State, at one time holding the position of Chief Geologist. He kept a 

 continuous meteorological record at Milwaukee during the whole period 

 of his residence, and was the first to suggest in practical form the organ- 

 ization of the Signal Service Bureau. In his later years he was especially 

 interested in fish propagation, and with a view to master its details, he 

 moved to Oconomowoc. living on the borders of that beautiful lake. 



In his scientific character, Mr. Lapham was laborious, patient, con- 

 scientious and unpretentious ; he was ever regardful of the claims of his 

 associates, and always free to communicate information. He was also 

 naturally deeply interested in educational progress. Some of his latest 

 views on botanical classification seem worthy more attention than they 

 have yet received. 



Socially, Mr. Lapham was genial, affable and unostentatiously hospita- 

 ble. His retired house in Milwaukee was specially attractive in a very 

 select library and carefully arranged museum, to which was added the 

 charm of a most intelligent and refined family. 



Mr. Lapham is botanically commemorated in a well-marked genus, 

 of southwestern plants, Laphamia, dedicated to him several years ago by 

 his life-long friend, Prof. Asa Gray. This genus now comprises several 

 well-marked species, of which the Lajjliamia Stansburii (here exhibited) 

 was first discovered in Stansbury's exploration of Salt Lake, and then 

 named and figured by Dr. Torrey as Monothrix Stansburii. 



The loss of Mr. Lapham at the present time, when special interest is 

 lyeing directed to investigations in which he was a pioneer and earnest 

 laborer, is a matter of sincere regret. 



November 23d, 1876. — Trustees' Meeting. 

 Rev. W. H. Barris, President, in the chair. » 



Seven members present. 



Mr. Pratt stated that a fine golden eagle, presented to the Acad- 

 emy, had been stuffed and mounted at an expense of $10, which 



