2i6 The University of California Magazine. 



runs as the central idea the theory of organic evolution. The 

 fossil forms preserved to us from past periods were not consid- 

 ered by him simply as curiosities which were interesting be- 

 cause they happened to appear strange to us, but rather as the 

 sacred remains left by a countless succession of generations 

 which has passed to us, along an unbroken chain, the princi- 

 ple or germ of life. Probably no other writer in the field ef 

 historical geology has made such successful use of the evolu- 

 tionary or narrative style of the treatment of the subject. 

 Though Professor Le Conte ascribes the first use of this 

 method to Dana, it is probably true that his own work had 

 great influence in finally bringing Dana to the point where he 

 could unreservedly accept evolution as based on actual his- 

 toric succession. In his later lectures and discussions of the 

 theory of evolution, to which he has contributed so much, he 

 placed the strongest emphasis on what has been rather than 

 what jnight be. 



In his intercourse with other scientific men Professor I^e 

 Conte was always helpful, sympathetic, and appreciative. He 

 always gave freely of his store of knowledge in assisting oth- 

 ers to solve problems which refused to yield to them. Though 

 he engaged in many discussions with those whose views dif- 

 fered from his own, he made no enemies. Always respecting 

 others' opinions, whether he accepted them or not, he was 

 ever held in the highest respect and esteem by geologists of 

 all lands. In recognition of his services to geological sci- 

 ence, Professor I,e Conte was honored by election to the high- 

 est positions which the scientific associations of this country 

 could confer. He served as President of the American Geo- 

 logical Society and of the American Association for the Ad- 

 vancement of Science, and had been Vice-President of the 

 International Geological Congress. 



As far-reaching and as lasting as Professor Le Conte's in- 

 fluence may be seen to be among the men of his profession, it 

 will probably not exceed that which he has exerted on the 

 world at large in the capacity of instructor. In his own class- 



