LAMARCK 



obliged to depend upon the assistance of others for 

 the observation of the structure of insects. In his 

 later years he became absolutely blind. To this trial 

 was added that of very limited means, his peculiar 

 views on scientific subjects not making friends for 

 him with those in authority. The devotion of his 

 children to him compensated for many other depriv- 

 ations. His eldest daughter especially, moved by 

 filial love, for years gave her whole life to him, 

 lending herself to the studies that could enable her 

 to replace his want of sight, and writing from his 

 dictation the greater part of his later works. As his 

 infirmities increased and confined him to his chamber, 

 she never left the house, " Feeling incommoded," she 

 said, " by the open air, of which she had lost the 

 usage." Such affection unfortunately is rare. It 

 is no light eulogy upon the character of Lamarck 

 that he inspired such love and devotion in his off- 

 spring. 



To Charles (Robert) Darwin (b. at Shrewsbury, 

 Eng., Nov. 12, 1809 ; d. April 19, 1882) is due the 

 merit of placing upon the basis of scientific demon- 

 stration the theories and conjectures of many minds 

 that had preceded him. He states: "The first whose, 

 conclusions excited much attention was Lamarck. 

 Geoffry Saint Hillaire and many others have since 

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