LIFE AND WORKS OF COPE. XXXV 



is indefinable, we signalize his appreciation of the most 

 significant or diagnostic character in a group. Among his 

 fellow workers in the same field, whether upon the fishes, 

 amphibians, or mammals, he was quick to comprehend and 

 seize upon a strategic position. While others were plod- 

 ding on serenely in the description of facts, giving all an 

 equal value, Cope, with an eagle eye, would sweep down 

 upon some great distinctive fact and point out its supreme 

 importance. Thus he projected the Creodonta out of numer- 

 ous forms, such as Palseonictis, Hyasnodon, Ardocyon, which 

 had been discovered and studied for many years in France, 

 it is to be regretted that he did not more willingly surren- 

 der some of his own hypotheses. He clung to his er- 

 roneous mechanical explanation of the origin of Ungulate 

 foot structure long after it had been disproved by the present 

 writer. Like all of us, perhaps, he loved his own hypo- 

 theses, and once observed in jest in regard to a fossil which 

 opposed one of his theories, " I wish you would throw that 

 bone out of the window." 



He was no respecter of authority per se. Even if some- 

 times mistaken his fearless criticisms were chiefly animated 

 by high ideals and readiness to change the existing order of 

 things. He was full of cheer and determination when 

 things looked most unpromising, allowing nothing to dis- 

 turb the composure which is so essential to research. His 

 life, in fact, became a fine illustration of the happiness 

 attendant upon plain living and high investigation which 

 he foresaw at the early age of nineteen. 



In this introduction the writer has drawn freely upon a biography 

 published in Soienoe, also upon valuable materials which have been 

 furnished by Professor Theodore Gill, Cope'S^-lifelong friend, and 

 by Professors Baur and Dean. Professor Gill has revised the 

 proofs relating to Fishes ; those relating to Mammals have been 

 revised by the writer. General editorial revision has been made by 

 Dr. J. Percy Moore. 



