278 THE BOTANISTS OF PHILADELPHIA. 



orifice of the cesophagus became smaller and smaller, and 

 it was soon recognized that a malignant growth was pressing 

 upon it to such an extent that solid food could no longer find 

 an entrance into the stomach, and after five months of pain- 

 ful suffering, which he bore with fortitude and resignation, 

 he peacefully passed away on the 10th of September, 1893. 

 Just before death he was awarded the Hanbury Gold Medal 

 for distinguished services and for original research in the 

 natural history and chemistry of drugs. 



His mind was imbued with a love for science, and the 

 characteristic which thoroughly pervaded all of Professor 

 Maisch's work as a scientist, was the persistent search for 

 truth, for he would never rest until he was satisfied that 

 the utmost effort had been put forth to eliminate error, and 

 it was the knowledge of this trait in his character which 

 gave to his scientific opinions so much weight. Outspoken 

 often to brusqueness in condemning error, his mind was- 

 always open to conviction, and he was never ashamed to 

 change his views when he was convinced that they were 

 not correct. 



WILLIAM MARRIOTT CANBY. 



William Marriott Canby was born in Philadelphia^ 

 Pennsylvania, March 19, 1831. He was educated mainly by 

 private tutors and at private schools. His father was a 

 successful merchant in Philadelphia. When William was 

 five years of age, the family removed to Wilmington, Dela- 

 ware, where before the boy was twenty years of age he had 

 purchased a farm on the Brandy wine, near Chaddsford, Penn- 

 sylvania. He had an early predilection for botany, but could 

 never find time to devote himself exclusively to it. Several 



