80 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 



flat fish*. This was not all. There was not in New England an ichthyologist with whom 

 he could consult, and scarcely a book that would aid him in his investigations. Sufficiently 

 discouraging all this, but Dr. Storer did not despair. If he knew but little of ichthyology, 

 he had a scientific mind, sharply observant, quickly perceptive and nicely discriminating. 

 Moreover he was indefatigable in performing whatever he undertook, never relaxing in his 

 work until it was done and well done. 



The Commissioners came to an understanding that they all should endeavor as far as 

 possible to extend the boundaries of knowledge in each department, and not confine 

 themselves to merely presenting catalogues of species. It was soon perceived that the 

 work expected of them could not possibly be done within the allotted time, and leave was 

 asked and obtained to defer the reports until a later period. 



Before another year, however, had elapsed, several were ready, and we can only wonder, 

 in looking over the volumes produced, that so much could have been accomplished within 

 so limited a period. The result of Dr. Storer's labor was what Dr. DeKay described as a 

 "masterly report" on the Fishes of Massachusetts. This was published by an order of the 

 Legislature in August, 1839, and also appeared in the Boston Journal of Natural History 

 at the same time. Previous to this, Dr. Storer had presented some papers before the So- 

 ciety on fishes, which had also appeared in the Journal. In April, 1845, he communicated 

 to the meeting of the American naturalists at New Haven, a very valuable paper called 

 "A Synopsis of the Fishes of North America." This was published in the Memoirs of the 

 American Academy. Subsequently there appeared in the same Memoirs what Dr. Storer 

 termed his final report on the fishes of Massachusetts, the species being all illustrated by 

 fine engravings, and this was also published in a separate volume. 



The third decade of the existence of the Society having now passed, some mention will 

 be made of what has not been referred to during the period. 



The Journal of the Society had been published from time to time, but not quite with 

 the regularity that distinguished its earlier issues. Volume VI and part of Volume VII had 

 appeared with many articles of great value. The Proceedings appeared more frequently. 

 A part of Volume 111, and Volumes IV, V, and VI, and a considerable portion of Volume 

 VII had been printed and circulated. The scientific character of both series had been well 

 sustained, and had helped much to extend the reputation of the Society abroad. 



The average attendance on the meetings each year may be seen by the following table : 



For the year ending May 1851 23 For the year ending May 1856 20 



" " 1852 16 " " 1857 26 



" " 1853 14 " 1858 28 



" " 1854 17 " " 1859 30 



" " 1855 17 " " isdo 30 



Those who took a prominent part at the meeetings of the Society during the first five 

 years of the ten, by presenting communications, participating in the discussions, or other- 

 wise, were Dr. Charles T. Jackson, Count Desor, Dr. Wyman, Dr. Burnett, Dr. Gould, Dr. 

 Durkee, Mr. W. 0. Ayres, Dr. Cabot, Mr. William Stimpson, Dr. J. C. Warren, Dr. Samuel 

 Kneeland, Jr., Dr. A. A. Hayes, Prof. William B. Rogers, Mr. Teschemacher, Dr. Thomas 

 M. Brewer, Dr. D. H. Storer, Dr. H. R. Storer, Mr. Charles J. Sprague, Mr. Wells, Prof. 

 Henry D. Rogers, Dr. J. Mason Warren and Mr. Thomas T. Bouve. 



