NINTH ANNUAL MEETING. ay a 
his professional duties. I remember when on a cold night on 
Chesapeake Bay, when his men were out on the water taking 
the shad eggs, that a sudden storm arose. There was no danger 
to the numerous boats’ crews, but the chances were that if his 
presence were wanting, that some millions less of eggs would be 
the result. Indifferent to the rain, I have seen him hurry from out 
his berth (it was in the floating hatching-house), and, but half 
clad, spring into the nearest boat, at midnight, and spend all that 
night until dawn, going from boat to boat, encouraging the men 
in their exertions. The United States wanted to have the rivers 
teeming with fish, and there was enthusiasm enough in Mr. Milner 
to think himself the instrument for thus furnishing food to mill- 
ions, and he was perfectly. willing to lay down his life for what 
other men would have been languidly indifferent about. I have 
myself frequently remonstrated with Mr. Milner as to what I 
deemed to be an unnecessary exposure, and had warned him of 
possible fatal results, but his reply was, I remember his words 
distinctly, “Ido not think [I fulfil my duty thoroughly, conscien- 
_tiously, in any other way.” This somewhat explains the character 
of the man. The last time I saw him was some two years ago at 
Gloucester, where he was busy arranging apparatus for hatching 
the cod. The novelty of this duty excited his enthusiasm, and 
quite possibly the cold he had taken some time before was aug- 
mented by the chill dampness of a New England fall. 
I can but briefly describe this useful life. Mr. Milner was born 
in Kingston, Ont., January rith, 1841, and came to Chicago when 
he was five years old. As a boy he was a hard student, and de- 
veloped early in life a taste for natural history. He was but a 
lad when he travelled through Minnesota making collections. At 
the breaking out of the war he volunteered in an artillery com- 
pany, and served with distinction to almost its close, having been 
noted for conspicuous courage and gallantry. After an honorable 
discharge, he obtained a position in the Chicago Post-office. Still 
retaining his love for natural history, he thoroughly filled his 
position, but, combining with it the study of his favorite topics, 
this double work became too much for him, and his health broke 
down. 
Retiring from his, postal duties, he made explorations in the 
