178 SCIENCE SKETCHES. 
other has been purchased by the Spanish Govern- 
ment for $4,000. It is earnestly hoped by Pro- 
fessor Poey and his friends that the Government 
will soon order its publication; but, unfortunately, 
there seems to be no certainty of this. The manu- 
scripts and drawings of the “Ictiologia Cubana” 
were placed on exhibition by the Spanish Govern- 
ment in the Exposition of Amsterdam in 1883. 
In testimonial of their worth, Professor Poey has 
received from King William III. the decoration of 
the order of the “ Lion Néerlandais.”’ Before this, 
as the most distinguished of Spanish naturalists, 
he had received from the King of Spain the title 
of “Encomendador de la Orden de Isabella la 
Catdlica.” 
Among the manuscripts of Poey is one bearing 
the title of ‘Corona Poeyana.” This is a list of 
the species of animals and plants which other natu- 
ralists have named for him as “ Poeyi” or “ Poeya- 
nus,” in friendly recognition of the value of his 
work. This list is a long one, but the kindly trib- 
utes which it implies have not been undeserved. 
There is no characteristic of Poey’s work more 
striking than its entire lack of prejudice, or, in other 
words, the teachableness of the man himself. A 
certain zodlogist was once described to me by Dr. 
Kirtland as ‘a little man who couldn’t be told 
anything.” His character was in this regard just 
the reverse of that of Professor Poey. Among all 
the naturalists of our time, I know of none more 
willing to learn, whatever the source from which 
information may come. He has no theories which 
he is not ready to set aside when a better suggestion 
