Constantine Samuel Rafinesque. 79 



those species which have been termed imaginary , or inaccurately 

 described, our firm conviction is, that nearly all, eventually, will be 

 as fully established as those of the best known in our systems. We 

 have formed this opinion, not from theory, but from actual obser 

 vation, and from having verified, in many instances, the validity of 

 Rafinesque s characters. The truth is, that Sicily is perhaps the 

 richest field for the ichthyologist, of any yet explored in the Medi 

 terranean, in whose warm and prolific waters, washing the tranquil 

 shores of so many islands, an immense variety of fish are constantly 

 found. Besides these two works, more especially devoted to the 

 ichthyology of Sicily, many other papers by the same author are 

 scattered in the periodical publications of Palermo ; and he has also 

 given a most original and valuable account of the fishes of the great 

 river Ohio.&quot; 



The same writer gives additional information, in trie 

 form of a foot-note, that is quite useful in determining 

 the character of Rafinesque s methods during the time 

 he studied the fishes of Sicily. Says he: 



&quot; In further justification of the opinions here advanced, it may 

 be proper for me to state that I had the pleasure of M. Rafinesque s 

 society, during &quot;the three years of my official residence in Sicily, 

 from 1807 to 1810, and again in 1812, when we were both at Palermo, 

 prosecuting our botanical and ichthyological researches together. 

 Circumstances have hitherto prevented me from giving them to the 

 public ; but an extensive series of drawings and descriptions, made 

 from the life, of the Sicilian fishes, not only confirms the accuracy 

 of M. Rafinesque, in many instances where he has been charged 

 with error, but affords strong ground for believing that one half of 

 the Sicilian species, said to be found also in the Atlantic Ocean, 

 Britain, etc., are, in reality, quite distinct. M. Rafinesque, unfortu- 



