288 The Botanical Gazette. [May, 
ber of students, the exacting duties as superintendent of the 
grounds for the larger part of his connection with the Univer- 
sity, where constant personal supervision was necessary in 
connection with the improvement and care of 50 to 100 acres, 
was sufficient, with the duties as teacher, for a number of 
years without any assistance, to prevent the planning and 
carrying out of any extended investigations. During the 
later years, failing health, while it did not prevent him from 
attendance upon the duties of instruction and administration 
of his office, did not leave him sufficient reserve strength for 
the close and continued application necessary in conducting 
extended experiments or prolonged research. Punctiliousto 
a fault in meeting his appointments, he rarely missed any of 
his classes, even when suffering from an indisposition which 
would have warranted an occasional respite. But during the 
last two years illness has at several times compelled him to 
give up all work for short periods, though he would return to 
work again when convalescent, and in such a state of health 
which would have constrained others to absent themselves 
longer from duty. But in the winter of 1896 he found it nec 
essary in order that his health might be cared for toask to be 
relieved from further active participation in the administra 
tion of the department. 
At the winter meeting of the Board of Trustees he was 
elected professor emeritus in recognition of his long and faith- 
ful services to the University, and the faculty attested by a?" 
Propriate resolutions the esteem in which he has always been 
held by his colleagues, and the value of his services aot 
fluence in the early history of the University, when it requ’ 
men of strong faith and firm principles to stand up for. 
new and advanced ideals upon which Cornell University was 
founded. 
Professor Prentiss is dignified and gentle. In his guia 
he was aclear, precise, easy and fluent speaker, and in piace 
Sation a most delightful companion. To those who wert” 
intimately acquainted with him he often seemed cold and if 
Sympathetic, but those who knew him well, felt the charm.” 
his manner and encouragement of his keen interest in i n- 
dividual work of the student. As a pupil of Professor whet 
tiss the writer felt no restraint upon the most cordial ug 
ship, and always experienced an exquisite delight 19 the cn 
sonal discussions upon various topics connected with the 
