406 Othniel Charles Marsh. 



character was nearly always uppermost, and the consideration 

 of subjects of the greatest gravity was enlivened by constant 

 sparkles of wit from his exhaustless store. 



He was normally restive under restraint, and met all opposi- 

 tion with power and fearlessness. Having practically created 

 the modern science of Vertebrate Paleontology in America, he 

 resented any encroachment upon the particular fields of research 

 in which he was engaged. This attitude frequently devel- 

 oped feelings of hostility in other investigators, and often 

 alienated him from co-workers in his department of science. 

 Nevertheless, he labored faithfully for the truth as revealed in 

 his work, and was ready to change opinions and published 

 statements whenever facts seemed to warrant it. 



His esthetic sense was highly developed, and could be seen 

 in the artistic care he bestowed upon his publications, but more 

 especially on his home. His grounds are a model of landscape 

 gardening. He delighted in his collections of modern paint- 

 ings, the cultivation of orchids, and above all in the subtleties 

 of Japanese art. 



The world was not slow to recognize his contributions to 

 knowledge, for during his lifetime he received a large number 

 of tangible evidences of distinguished consideration in the way 

 of academic and scientific honors, medals, and membership in 

 learned societies. 



In 1886, he received the degree of Doctor of Laws from 

 Harvard University, and in the same year the honorary degree 

 of Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Heidelberg. 

 He occupied the chair of Paleontology in Yale University from 

 1866 to the time of his death. He was Vertebrate Paleontolo- 

 gist to the United States Geological Survey, and Honorary 

 Curator of Vertebrate Paleontology in the United States 

 National Museum. 



He was President of the American Association for the 

 Advancement of Science in 1878, and of the National 

 Academy of Sciences from 1883 to 1895. As a presiding 

 officer in the National Academy, he exercised the same amount 

 of care that he bestowed upon his private affairs, and was an 

 active and efficient leader. 



