Obituary—Prof. J. S. Newberry. 95 
Science, and the routine of his profession soon proved too irksome. 
In 1855 he determined to devote all his time to scientific work, and 
started as surgeon, geologist, and naturalist to the Government 
expedition under Lieut. Williamson, engaged to explore the country 
between San Francisco and the Columbia River. Newberry soon 
after published his first work on “The Geology, Botany, and Zoology 
of North California and Oregon.” In 1857-58 Newberry explored 
the now well-known canons of the Colorado River, and shortly 
after prosecuted his geological researches in New Mexico, Arizona, 
and Utah. 
Newberry’s distinguished services were rewarded in 1866 by the 
post of Professor of Geology in the School of Mines, Columbia 
College, New York, and two years later he was made State Geologist 
of Ohio, when his more systematic scientific work began. The 
reports of the Geological Survey of Ohio, published under his direc- 
tion, contain not only stratigraphical and economic geology, but also 
monographs on paleontology of great value. The descriptions of 
the Devonian and Carboniferous fishes and plants were contributed 
by Newberry himself; and these, with subsequent writings on 
the same subject, led to an entirely new view of the gigantic 
“placoderm” fish, Dinichthys, of the Devonian period. His unique 
collection has been placed in the museum of Columbia College. 
Although Professor Newberry continued his lectures and classes 
until two years ago he nevertheless found time to pursue his 
favourite studies on Paleozoic and Mesozoic fishes and plants, and 
in 1888 and 1890 he issued two large monographs under the auspices 
of the United States Geological Survey. The first volume relates 
to the Triassic fishes and plants of New Jersey and Connecticut, and 
the second deals with various Devonian and Carboniferous fishes, 
each containing a synopsis of earlier researches, combined with 
new figures and many observations not previously published. 
These works will ever remain standards for reference, and the 
mine of clearly-enunciated facts they contain will form an enduring 
monument of the author’s industry and acumen. Even until the 
last, Dr. Newberry was contemplating a supplementary volume 
on the Paleozoic fishes, and he had nearly completed a Monograph 
on the Cretaceous flora of New Jersey. 
Dr. Newberry was one of the founders of the United States 
National Academy of Sciences, and occupied the Presidential chair 
of the New York Academy of Sciences from 1867 until 1891. In 
1867 he presided over the meeting of the American Association at 
Burlington. In 1883 he becamea Foreign Member of the Geological 
Society of London, and in 1888 he received the Murchison Medal 
awarded by that Society. Whether in his quiet home at New Haven, 
or in the Museum of Columbia College, or wandering abroad, the 
privilege of meeting Dr. Newberry was one to be cherished. He 
was truly esteemed by all who came in contact with him, and the 
memory of his friendship will long be treasured, both by his students 
and fellow-workers. 
