^/ 



The Nautilus. 



Vol.. V. MARCH, 1892. No. 11. 



IN MEMORIAM— DR. WESLEY NEWCOMB. 



Dr. Wesley Xewcomb, the last of the old school of conehologists, 

 died at his home in Ithaca N. Y. ou the 26th. of Jauuary at the 

 advanced age of 84 years. His name belongs on the roll of honor 

 as one of a distinguished group of American Naturalists, who made 

 themselves illustrious by their services in the development and 

 advancement of the study of Natural History in this country, and 

 their contributions to scientific knowledge. Among tho.se who may 

 be specially regarded as Dr. Newcomb's contemporaries, the names 

 of Gould, Binney the elder, C. B. Adams, P. P. Carpenter, Bland, 

 Conrad, Lea, Anthony, Couthouy etc., at once occur. While Lea 

 and Jay were among the last to pass within the folds of 



" •■■ the low green tent," 



before Dr. Newcomb, sad as it was, no doubt, to him, to note the 

 loss of one old friend after another, he was happy in this, that his 

 prolonged life, brought him in contact with many kindred spirits 

 among the younger men and workers of the present, and he had the 

 knowledge of their friendship and regard as a consolation. 



In his early life he was more fortunate than many of his scientific 

 friends. He had the conspicuous advantages of excellent teachers 

 and a good education. He first attended the Academy at AVhite 

 Plains N. Y., and afterwards the Rennselser now the Polytechnic 

 Institute, at that time in charge of one of the best of the earlier 

 scientists. Professor Amos Eaton ; subsequently at the Jefferson 

 jNIedical College, Philadelphia, and last at the Castleton Medical 

 College, Vermont, where he graduated most creditably. As a pupil 

 of Professor Eaton, he was, to use his own expression "forced into 



(121) 



