180 LEADING AMERICAN MEN OF SCIENCE 



could be more useful as merely a member. Prevailed upon to 

 accept, he was retained in the office, in spite of repeated resigna- 

 tions, until his connection with the Peabody Museum of Archae- 

 ology and his temporary absence in Europe forced the society to 

 relieve him in 1870. He almost invariably attended the meetings, 

 and almost as invariably had something interesting to communi- 

 cate; but he always waited until others had spoken. 



Under his administration, the society prospered in every way. 

 The membership increased; the collections were enlarged and 

 displayed; a new building was erected with funds partly given by 

 a friend of his; l public lectures were delivered; and the value of 

 the society to the community and to science was brought to the 

 highest point. Some idea of the extent of his activity may be 

 gained from the fact, that, during the ten years from 1860 to 1870, 

 the titles of his communications are about fifty in number, some 

 of them being elaborate and extended papers. Among the rest 

 is a loving memorial of his friend Dr. A. A. Gould, many passages 

 of which might now be applied to himself. 



Wyman was a member of the American Academy of Arts and 

 Sciences 2 (in Boston), but attended its meetings less constantly 

 than those of the Natural History Society. Of the National 

 Academy of Sciences he was named one of the original members 

 in 1863. He does not appear to have attended the meetings as 

 his name is absent from the rolls in 1865-70, but in 1871 it is 

 included among the Honorary Members; in the following year it 

 was "transferred to the list of Active Members." 



Wyman was one of the administrative "Faculty" of the Museum 

 of Comparative Zo5logy from the date of its formation; and his 

 relations with its founder were always of the most cordial nature, 

 however they might differ upon some questions. 3 He recognized 



1 Dr. William J. Walker. 



2 The Memoirs of this Academy, vol. 9, 1867, contain one of Wyman's 

 most important papers, "On the Development of Raia batis" (a ray or 

 skate), and his "Notes on the Cells of the Bee" was printed in the Pro- 

 ceedings, vol. 7, 1868. 



3 As to Evolution, see the extracts on p. 193. 



