116 ENGLISH MEN OF SCIENCE. [CHAP. 



Good memory for names in natural history. 



The power of recollecting a multitude of 

 grotesque and barbarous names, which all 

 naturalists -must possess to a considerable 

 degree, and which seems so extraordinary to 

 persons who are not naturalists, is hardly 

 alluded to in these returns. It would appear 

 that our most eminent naturalists are not very 

 specially gifted among their fellow-workers in 

 this respect. Here are a few cases of a rather 

 good memory of the kind : 



1. " Memory strong up to the age of 38 ; 

 still good and capable of recognizing and naming 

 probably between two and three thousand species 

 of animals and plants, including fossil forms. 



" Father Kem ark able ; capable of accurately 

 repeating from memory the substance of speeches 

 delivered at clerical and other meetings." 



2. " Retentive of botanical names ; rather 

 deficient in other respects, especially as to 

 persons." 



