Constantine Samuel Rafinesque. 81 



Rafinesque s work, there is to be added the statement 

 that, almost yearly, in some one or another of the 

 scientific journals and periodicals, or in the proceedings 

 of learned societies, occasional recognition is accorded to 

 some of the genera established by Rafinesque s Sicilian 

 work. Gradually the real, underlying facts are coming 

 to be known, and when known there are not wanting 

 men to do him justice. A feeling quite distinct from 

 that which prompted the adverse criticisms of Cuvier is 

 apparent in the work even of those who refuse to allow 

 him his names; they attempt, at least, to understand the 

 work which this pioneer in Sicilian ichthyology had 

 accomplished. 



The study of the fishes of Sicily is almost the sole 

 zoological work of real and lasting value performed by 

 Rafinesque while a resident of that country. It formed 

 the ground-work of the whole subsequent superstructure ; 

 it was the first one to illustrate the forms described. 

 It partakes of the fault common to all the natural history 

 work of the time, in that the generic and specific diag 

 noses are brief, and altogether unsatisfactory, when meas 

 ured by modern standards. But it was a pioneer study; 

 it became the real foundation of all that followed it. 



One of the more interesting facts connected with this 

 work of Rafinesque consists in the circumstance that 



