Constantine Samuel Rafinesque. CQ 



National Museum at Washington, where some are still 

 preserved. The National Museum possesses also several 

 note-books in which are recorded Rafinesque s observa 

 tions during some of his numerous travels; in addition, 

 there are an unpublished paper on the fishes of New 

 York and Pennsylvania, and the manuscript of a pro 

 posed &quot;Conchologia Ohiensis.&quot; 



Many of the archseologic manuscripts of Rafinesque 

 eventually found their way into the hands of Squier 

 and Davis, the authors of the immortal &quot; Ancient Monu 

 ments of the Mississippi Valley&quot;. Such parts as suited 

 their purpose these gentlemen employed in its compi 

 lation. Most of this work of Rafinesque on the ancient 

 peoples of America seems to have disappeared from 

 view in Baltimore. 



The collections of Rafinesque had suffered much from 

 neglect and inability properly to care for them. Labels 

 were lost and misplaced ; indeed most of the mineral and 

 conchologic materials were entirely without labels, and 

 were sold for mere trifles. The botanical collections were 

 badly injured by mice and other vermin, and were in sad 

 condition; most of the plant collection sold as waste 

 paper. A few good specimens were secured by Mr. Isaac 

 Burk, and by him presented to the University of Penn 

 sylvania, where, it is to be presumed, they still are. A 



