158 NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES 



" Classification of the Coleoptera of the United States," in which 

 much of his previous work was revised and brought up to date. 



Between 1848 and 1857, Dr. LeConte published minor essays 

 on geology, on radiates, on recent and fossil mammals, and on 

 ethnology, thus showing the wide range of his scientific studies 

 and investigations. While accepting the modern evolutionary 

 philosophy, he still believed, as he expressed it, in the " Prov- 

 idence which presides over and directs the system of evolution." 



In his private life his friends speak of him as " a cultured 

 scholar, a refined gentleman, a genial companion, a true friend." 



(From Samuel H. Scudder, in Biographical Memoirs of the National 

 Academy of Sciences, vol. 2, 1886, pp. 261-293.) 



JOSEPH LEIDY 

 Born, September 9, 1823; died, April 30, 1891 



At the memorial meeting held at the University of Pennsyl- 

 vania, Dr. Joseph Leidy's scientific career was commemorated 

 under five heads: "Work in Vertebrate Anatomy"; "Work in 

 Invertebrate Anatomy"; "Work in Paleontology and Geol- 

 ogy " ; " Work in Mineralogy " ; " Work in Botany." The cata- 

 logue of his writings contains five hundred and fifty-three titles, a 

 remarkable contribution to scientific literature. This many-sided 

 scientist, " almost the sole survivor of that class of intellectual 

 giants which seemed able to assimilate as much as Science in her 

 many forms could produce," was born in Philadelphia on Sep- 

 tember 9, 1823. He was the son of Philip Leidy. At an early age 

 he showed a taste for the study of nature and a talent for drawing. 

 He began the study of medicine at the age of nineteen, and 

 received his degree at the University of Pennsylvania in 1844, 

 immediately after which he was appointed Prosector to the chair 

 of anatomy under Professor Horner. With the exception of one 

 year, when he followed his teacher. Dr. Paul M. Goddard, to 

 the Franklin Medical College, Dr. Leidy continued his con- 

 nection with the University during his life. At the death of 

 Dr. Horner, in 1853, he was elected Professor of Anatomy and 

 held that position for thirty-eight years. In 1871 he became Pro- 



