36 The Life and Writings of 



criticism from students of American fresh-water fishes. 

 More will be said of this remarkable book in another 

 place. 



Attention has previously been directed to the Botanic 

 Gardens with which Rafinesque was acquainted at Mar 

 seilles, and to those of Bartram and Marshall near Phila 

 delphia. One of the ambitions of his life was the 

 foundation of similar gardens at Lexington. To accom 

 plish this he spent much time and developed a wonder 

 ful amount of energy. In 1823 ne brought the matter 

 to the attention of the State legislature, at Frankfort, 

 with such success that the senate passed the bill to 

 establish the proposed garden at Lexington; the house 

 refused its sanction and the bill failed to become law. 

 Though disheartened by this result Rafinesque did not 

 wholly despair. He undertook the private solicitation 

 of funds, the scheme contemplating the formation of 

 a joint stock company. His friends and others inter 

 ested in the undertaking succeeded so far as to get the 

 projected garden incorporated. Ground was purchased 

 within the village of Lexington;* planting was begun; 



*The Kentucky Reporter of the issue of Monday, November 22, 1824, has 

 editorial mention of the purchase of the land for this garden. The location 

 was the upper end of Main Street, and comprised ten acres. A Mr. Harper 

 was the treasurer of the company &quot; on whom the stockholders are expected 

 to call and pay the 1st and 2d installments on their shares.&quot; 



