178 LEADING AMERICAN MEN OF SCIENCE 



appointed Hersey Professor of Anatomy in the Lawrence Scientific 

 School, a part of Harvard College in Cambridge. 1 Wyman made 

 the single word, anatomy, cover Embryology and Comparative 

 Physiology, both with reference to Vertebrates rather than Inver- 

 tebrates. They thus became complementary to the courses of 

 Agassiz (appointed at about the same time) on Geology and Paleon- 

 tology, and on Zoology with more special reference to the Inverte- 

 brates. In this connection it may be added that while the title of 

 the likewise newly established chair of Asa Gray was the compre- 

 hensive one of Natural History, his instruction was practically 

 confined to Botany. 



Upon the subjects above named Wyman gave two courses of 

 lectures. His enforced migration southward in midwinter threw 

 the courses into the fall and spring. During my pupilage, 1859-62, 

 Wyman's lectures constituted a senior elective. The limited time 

 allowed, and the lack of preparation of his hearers, did not permit 

 him to offer a complete exposition of any one topic. But every 

 word told. He spoke from notes, which were yearly revised and 

 rewritten so as to embody the latest information. 2 



The writer heard both courses three times, and feels that he 

 profited more by the last than by the first. Wyman had many 

 and accurate diagrams, made by himself; and they were always 

 carefully arranged before each lecture. His use of specimens 

 for illustration was really profuse, notwithstanding the fact, 

 which he greatly lamented, that the museum was on the floor 

 above the lecture-room, involving a laborious and perilous trans- 

 fer by the stairs or by a sort of dumb-waiter. At that period 



1 The fund for this chair represented the consolidation of bequests made 

 successively between 1772 and 1812 by Ezekiel Hersey, Sarah Derby, John 

 Gumming, Abner Hersey, and Esther Sprague. During Wyman's incum- 

 bency the income varied from $827.39 to $1,375.85, but in the earlier years 

 it was not all paid to him. 



2 Among the interesting documents preserved by his family is a set of his 

 "Notes." The sheets measure 19 cm. by 16.5 (7.5 by 5.5 in.); the paper cover 

 bears at the left margin, "1849, Comp. Physiology;" the complete title is: 

 "Harvard University. Lectures on Comparative Physiology in the Scientific 

 School (April ii to June 18), 2d term, 1849. J- Wyman, Hersey Prof." 



