JVotices of Eminent Men deceased in Great Britain. 301 



formation in various branches of natural history. Some curious re- 

 searches in entomology introduced him at an early period to the ac- 

 quaintance of Dr. Leach, and this was the first occasion on which 

 his talents became known beyond the circle of his personal friends. 

 The prospect of succeeding Dr. Leach at the British Museum open- 

 ed a new field to his mind ; and although he was frustrated in this 

 expectation by the appointment of Mr. Children, he applied himself 

 from this time with increased energy to his researches in natural 

 history. An investigation of the structure and nature of the organic 

 remains of the Encrinus, for which the vicinity of Bristol affords so 

 remarkable a field, now became his favorite pursuit. It was while 

 he was engaged in the publication of his well-known work on the 

 Crino'idea* that he became known to the Rev. W. D. Conybeare, 

 by whom his merit was soon distinguished and very highly apprecia- 

 ted. As the work was going through the press, Mr. Conybeare 

 kindly undertook to revise it, and, by correcting the peculiarities of 

 a foreign idiom,j- to render it more acceptable to the public than it 

 might otherwise have been. In this publication Mr. Miller had to 

 surmount many difiiculties ; and although it became the means of 

 spreading universally his reputation as a profound and accurate natu- 

 ralist, it was to him a source not only of present expense, but of ul- 

 timate pecuniary loss. This may be attributed in part to his great 

 liberality of disposition. I am informed that he gav^ away not less 

 than a hundred copies of his work, principally to individuals whom 

 he supposed unable to purchase it. His pen was always ready and 

 his services energetic in any scientific undertaking in which they 

 were requested, as the many letters of thanks and works presented 

 to him in consequence of such assistance will sufficiently testify. 

 Notwithstanding the difficulties he experienced at his first publication, 

 he was not discouraged. He contemplated and had arranged in his 

 mind the materials for a second work on fossilized corals, and like- 

 wise an appendix to that on the Crino'idea. There was scarcely a 

 department of natural history to which he had not directed his mind 

 with zealous and intense application ; and there is no doubt that he 



* There is a copy of this work in the library of Yale College, and this is a work 

 which should be attentively studied by those who examine our transition and early 

 secondary limestones. 



t This, however, was strictly confined to the correction of such idiomatic inac- 

 curacies as might have obscured the sense to an English reader ; in all other cases 

 it was considei-ed in every respect desirable scrupulously to preserve unaltered the 

 author's own expressions. — W. D. C. 



Vol. XX.— No. 2. 39 



