46 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 



" While as a body we would thus tender our acknowledgement to the liberal naturalist 

 and enlightened philosopher, we beg him to accept our individual esteem and friendship." 

 These resolutions not only received the signatures of all present, but of the members 

 generally, who subsequently visited the library, all gladly availing themselves of the op- 

 portunity to sign them. 



In March of this year the Society received the sad intelligence of the death of its 

 highly respected President, Dr. Amos Binney. A special meeting was called on the 24th 

 of this month to take such action as the feelings of the members should dictate. After 

 remarks by the Vice President, Dr. C. T. Jackson, upon the melancholy event that had 

 brought the members together, Dr. Storer moved the following resolution : — 



" Resolved, That the unexpected tidings of the death of our much valued friend, Amos 

 Binney, Esq., late President of this Society, fills us with inexpressible sorrow. To us, we 

 feel that his loss is irreparable. The founder of this Society, he was ever its steady, devo- 

 ted, true friend ; constantly evincing his interest by suggesting new plans for its advance- 

 ment ; constantly proving his sincerity by his endeavors to perfect them. To his encour- 

 agement, decision and perseverance we owe, in no slight degree, our present prosperous 

 condition. With full hearts, we would acknowledge our obligations, while we gratefully 

 cherish his memory." 



Prof. Asa Gray offered the following resolution : — 



" Resolved, That the Council be requested to prepare, or cause to be prepared by such 

 members of the Society as they may designate for that purpose, a sketch of the life, the 

 scientific labors and the services of our late lamented President, to be read before the So- 

 ciety and published in its Journal, or in such other manner as the Society .may direct." 

 These resolutions were unanimously adopted. 



At a subsequent meeting of the Council Dr. Augustus A. Gould was appointed to pre- 

 pare the memoir asked for. This was done, being made introductory, however, to the pub- 

 lication of Dr. Binney's work on the Terrestrial MoUusks of the United States. From this 

 memoir are taken many facts here presented concerning the subject of it. Dr. Binney 

 was born in Boston, October 18th, 1803. He received his early education at the Derby 

 Academy in Hingham, and afterwards entered Brown University, from which he graduated 

 in 1821. Subsequently he studied medicine with Dr. George C. Shattuck of this city, and 

 attended medical lectures at Dartmouth College. At this time his health faUed and he 

 was obliged in consequence to give up his studies, and by the advice of his medical friends 

 to travel extensively over this country and Europe. Whilst abroad he visited England, 

 France, Italy and Germany, giving his attention to the hospitals and to the great collec- 

 tions of science and art. In December, 182r), he returned home much improved in health. 

 He again devoted himself to professional study, and took the Degree of Doctor in Medi- 

 cine at Harvard University in 182(). The practice of his profession, however, he did not 

 find congenial to his tastes, and thinking it would not be so favorable for his health as mer- 

 cantile pursuits, he abandoned it, and engaged in trade and subsequently in mining opera- 

 tions. 



While so employed he never lost his interest in scientific studies, which indeed ab- 

 sorbed a large part of the leisure time that could be spared from business. After suf- 

 fering from some vicissitudes of fortune, and having finally obtained a competence, he 



