DEMAREST: A SKETCH OF THE LIFE OF CoE FINCH AUSTIN 35 
of correspondence with leading authorities on mosses, and his 
exchange of rare specimens of them. Especially do I recollect his 
enthusiastic announcement that he had discovered varieties un- 
known to writers and students in his particular line. . . . Had 
his life been spared for some years longer, and could he have been 
more favorably situated financially, it is my belief that as an 
authority on mosses and lichens he would have been surpassed by 
only a few distinguished specialists in his chosen department of 
botanical work and study." 
Many positions of profit were offered him, but all were rejected 
for fear that their acceptance would interfere with his favorite 
study, ignoring the fact that his family would be benefited thereby, 
yet no one who knew him would think of calling him selfish, for his 
knowledge of any subject was theirs for the asking. 
He made the most of every day allotted to him, but not always, 
in fact seldom, for his own benefit. He was kind-hearted, and 
always ready to give a helping hand to those who needed his assist- 
ance, invariably without remuneration. He was happy, and fond 
of his family, proud of the progress made by his children in their 
studies, never refusing, no matter how busy, to help them over 
difficult problems. ; 
Не accepted his circumstances uncomplainingly, for he was 
so infatuated with the love of nature in all forms that if he could 
study unmolested he knew no cold, heat, fatigue, or hunger. 
Family needs, trials, and troubles he left for others to care for. 
He was of a cheerful disposition, and could always find something 
to smile about, often on account of the clumsy way some one tried 
to do a piece of work, for he could mend a plow, or repair a watch, 
as well as any one. 
During the last decade of his life he would leave his studies 
and make excursions into the country on foot, in search of speci- 
mens. То illustrate his intrepidity and fearlessness on these 
excursions, the following incident may be given: While visiting a 
brother at Haverstraw, N. Y., he expressed a desire to ascend the 
“High Tor," a rocky and precipitous eminence. of the mountain, 
setting back landward near the town. This peak rises to a height 
of about 800 feet. Its front is rocky and rises in a succession of 
sheer faces of from 25 to 50 feet. A rugged path called the “ Deer 
