836 The American Naturalist. [October, 
herpetology and continued to the end of his life to devote much 
attention to that department. His studies extended to every 
branch of the subject, covering not only specific details and 
general taxonomy, but also the consideration of anatomical 
details, the modifications of different organs, geographical dis- 
tribution, chronological sequence, genetic relations and phy- 
siological consequences. So numerous were his memoirs, so 
entirely did he cover the field of herpetology, and so marked 
an impression did he make on the science, that he was well 
entitled to apply to himself the boast of the Vergilian hero, 
“Pars magna fut.” 
In his earliest essays he manifested the independence and 
critical spirit which were so characteristic of him later. One 
knowing all the circumstances of the case may be amused in 
coming across a passage expressed in the tones of a veteran 
published by him when 20 years old: “ In proposing the name 
Zaocys * * * weare giving expression to an opinion long held 
by us as to the unnatural association of species in the so-called 
genus Coryphodon * * *. In it we find cylindrical terrestrial 
species united with compressed subarboricole species, upon a 
peculiarity whose value as an index of nature appears to us 
entirely imaginary. The very nature of the coryphodontian 
type of dentition, as distinguished from the isodontian and 
syncranterian, would lead us to infer its inconstancy ; ” and so 
on.” Bold as was the criticism of such herpetologists as Du- 
Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., Phila., 1860, p. 563. 
meril, Bibron and Giinther, it was justified by the facts, and 
the young author’s conclusions have received the endorsement 
of the best succeeding herpetologists, including even the latest 
author criticised. | 
In 1863 he paid a visit to Europe, partly for the benefit of 
his health which had suffered from overwork, and partly for 
the purpose of seeing the great museums of England, France, 
Holland, Austria and Prussia. Notwithstanding his ailments, 
he made good use of his time abroad and systematically ex- 
amined the collections of reptiles in the chief centers of science. 
He did not even restrict his studies to herpetology, but ex 
tended them to various other subjects. ; 
