1897.] A Chapter in the History of Science. 839 
borate outline of his University lectures containing his latest 
ideas of the classification of the Vertebrata.” 
The enormous mass of publications constantly flowing from 
-his own pen might lead one unacquainted with the author to 
suppose that he was probably a recluse, but there were few men 
of his intellectuality who were less disposed to seclude them- 
selves. He enjoyed and gave enjoyment to intellectual com- 
pany and was a brilliant conversationalist. He was especially 
fond of academical meetings and was an unusually frequent 
attendant at the meetings of the American Association as well 
as of the National Academy of Sciences. His election to the 
Presidency of the American Association was highly esteemed 
by him and doubtless his address would have been a notable 
one. 
In February (1897) Cope’s health became seriously affected 
by a nephritic disorder, which, it is said, “ might possibly have 
been remedied by a surgical operation,” but to this he would 
not submit.’* Notwithstanding failing health, he continued ac- 
tive almost to the last. Finally, the insidious disease invaded 
his entire system and he died on the 12th of April, in the room 
he had long used as a study, surrounded by the objects of his 
life-long attentions. 
Such were the chief episodes of Cope’s individual life; the 
facts known are few, and the record belongs rather to his 
family than to us. But Cope’s real life was in his work, and to 
the consideration of that work we may now proceed. Let us 
adopt the order in which he took up the subjects of his inves- 
tigations and successively look into his contributions to her- 
petology (III), ichthyology (IV), mammalogy (V) and paleon- 
tology (VI); we may then examine his philosophical views 
and especially those relating to evolution (VII); finally we may 
attempt to forecast the position he is destined to enjoy in the 
history of science (VIII). To know him as he was we must 
” Osborn in Science, May 7, p. 705. 
18 According to Mr. Garrett,“ as regards the disorder of which he died, it was 
Cystic, not nephritic, the post-mortem showing little disease of the kidneys. The 
Surgical operation he intended to undergo, but became too ill before it was ac- 
complished.” 
