CHAPTER XIX 
AUDUBON AND RAFINESQUE 
The “Eccentric Naturalist” at Henderson—Bats and new species—The 
demolished violin—“M. de T.”: Constantine Samuel Rafinesque 
(Schmaltz)—His precocity, linguistic acquirements and _ peripatetic 
habits—First visit to America and botanical studies—Residence in 
Sicily, and fortune made in the drug trade—Association with Swain- 
son—Marriage and embitterment—His second journey to America ends 
in shipwreck—Befriended—Descends the Ohio in a flatboat—Visit with 
Audubon, who gives him many strange “new species”’—Cost to 
zodlogy—His unique work on Ohio fishes—Professorship in Transylvania 
University—Quarrel with its president and trustees—Return to Phila- 
delphia—His ardent love of nature; his writings and fatal versatility— 
His singular will—His sad end and the ruthless disposition of his 
estate. 
Audubon’s humorous sketch of “The Eccentric 
Naturalist” has often been quoted, and it presents a 
picture which is amusing, however short of the truth 
it may fall or however it may fail in doing justice to 
its subject. Though his real hero is not named, no 
doubt as to his identity has ever been entertained. This 
episode occurred at Henderson in the late summer of 
1818, and was published thirteen years after in the 
Biography of birds.’ Since the story was not fully told 
then and the after-effects were productive of much harsh 
criticism, it cannot be overlooked if we would do justice 
to both the writer and his subject. 
When walking one day by the river, to follow Audu- 
bon’s story, he saw a man landing from a boat with 
what appeared like a bundle of dried clover on his back; 
1“The Eccentric Naturalist,” Ornithological Biography (Bibl. No. 2), 
vol. i, p. 455. 
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