426 Miscellaneous Intelligence. 



zoological studies he at once showed special aptitude for original 

 work and had begun important investigations when, in 1870, he 

 accepted the position of Assistant in Paleontology under Pro- 

 fessor Marsh, which he held uninterruptedly until his death. 



Although the greater part of his time and energy was given 

 to work in vertebrate paleontology, he continued his investiga- 

 tions in invertebrate zoology as long as his health permitted and 

 published papers on myriapods, a fossil arachnid, isopods, and, 

 jointly with the present writer, a report on a dredging expedition 

 to the region of St. George's Banks. His last and most important 

 published works are a report on the Marine Isopoda of New 

 England and the adjacent waters, and on the Isopoda of the 

 Blake dredgings on the eastern coast of the United States. The 

 former, his only completed work, is a systematic and accurate 

 monograph, one of the most important contributions to our 

 knowledge of the Isopoda, and will long remain a standard 

 authority and a manual for the study of that group on our coast. 



These publications establish his reputation as a zoologist, but 

 his best work and highest attainments were in the department of 

 vertebrate paleontology. Remarkable logical powers, an unbiased 

 mind, and years of accurate observation, had given him a truly 

 wonderful knowledge of vertebrate osteology. Under his hand 

 the broken and disarranged bones of an unknown carpus or tarsus 

 seemed to fall into their proper places by magic. But his knowl- 

 edge was not one of details alone ; he had a truly philosophical 

 grasp of the bearing of facts on evolution and classification ; 

 and only the few who knew his attainments can appreciate how 

 much paleontological science would have been advanced had he 

 been able to publish his observations and conclusions. He was 

 not a scientific specialist only, but took a deep and practical in- 

 terest in politics and other questions of the day, and his peculiar- 

 ly open mind, wholly untrammeled by bias or preconception, gave 

 his views and arguments on any subject originality and value. 



Mr. Harger never enjoyed robust health, and in 1879 he was 

 attacked by a cardiac trouble which increased from year to year. 

 Though knowing that his life was despaired of by his physicians 

 and friends, he never spoke of his illness but, with silent courage 

 and indomitable will, worked on cheerfully, attending to his 

 regular duties until prostrated by cerebral hemorrhage a week be- 

 fore his death. 



In 1875 he married Miss Jessie Craig of New Haven, who, 

 in the highest sense, was his helpful and sympathizing com- 

 panion. Only those can fully appreciate his loss whose privi- 

 lege it was to belong to the little circle enjoying his every day 

 companionship and who feel that they are better for the example 

 of his pure and inflexibly truthful life. s. i. s. 



Professor Jtjles-Ehile Planchon, of Montpellier, died April 

 1st, at the age of 65 years. 



