SAMUEL WENDELL WILLISTON 689 
Here his genial personal character and admirable relations with his 
colleagues shone forth; he was singularly appreciative of the work 
of other men and ready to adopt whatever he believed to be solid 
and enduring in previous attempts at classification. Thus Willis- 
ton’s work stands in contrast with that of Cope and Marsh, whose 
personal differences of opinion led to the setting up of two entirely 
distinct systems of classification as well as of nomenclature, irre- 
spective both of priority and of merit. 
Williston’s keen, broad knowledge of human anatomy, of the 
muscles as well as of the bones, doubtless aided his penetrating 
insight into the habits of the extinct animals, and while generally 
conservative and cautious his phylogenetic studies and suggestions 
were of high value. His views on taxonomic standards’ and upon 
college and high-school education? were, like his views upon paleon- 
tologic problems, characteristically sober, moderate, and well con- 
sidered, lighted up in their expression with his genial, half-humorous 
manner. He was ready to confess and appraise defects or faults 
on his own side, but quick to resent exaggerated accusations and 
criticisms from the other side. ) 
The closing years of Doctor Williston’s life were clouded by 
illness and the sorrow of losing a much-beloved daughter. He 
was a devoted husband and father. His friends and colleagues met 
him last at the Pittsburgh meeting of the Paleontological Society 
of America, December 30, 1917, and enjoyed a few of his short 
and characteristically enthusiastic communications and discussions. 
With Doctor Holland, myself, and many other warm friends he 
stayed the Old Year out and saw the New Year in at the Society 
smoker. He returned home quite suddenly, and this was the last 
occasion on which we enjoyed his genial presence, his humorous 
narratives, and his inspiring influence in paleontology. 
HENRY FAIRFIELD OSBORN 
AMERICAN Musrum oF NaturAt History 
’ New Yor«k City 
December 28, 1918 
t “What Is a Species,’ Amer. Nat., XLII, 184-94. 
2“Fas the American College Failed to Fulfil Its Function?” Proc. Nat. Educ. 
Assm. (1909), p. 526. 
