1891.] Proceedings of Scientific Societies. 189 
ural sciences were very strong, and in 1826 he went to Paris, where he 
spent five years in the study of zoology. Here he was a friend of 
` Cuvier, and one of the founders of the Entomological Society of 
France. After his return to Havana, Poey devoted his life to the study 
of the rich fauna of his native island, and especially to making known 
its fishes. Of the many new species of Cuban fishes described by 
Poey, one hundred and ninety-one are recognized as valid in the latest 
catalogues. The writer was told by a fish-dealer in Havana that ‘ for 
twenty years Don Felipe was in the markets every day when at noon 
the fishes came in from the boats, and that he knew more about the 
fishes of Cuba than the fishermen themselves.’’ 
In 1842 Poey was appointed to the Chair of Comparative Anatomy 
and Zoology in the University of Havana, a position which as active 
and emeritus professor he held until his death. His publications were 
numerous, in Spanish and French, and occasionally in English. e 
most important are ‘‘ Memorias Sobre Ja Historia Natural de la Isla de 
Cuba,” ‘ Repertorio Fisico-Natural de la Isla de Cuba,” and ‘* Enume- 
ratio Piscium Cubensium.”’ 
The great work of his life, ‘ Ictiologia Cubana,” is still unpublished. 
This book contains detailed descriptions and life-size figures of seven 
hundred „and fifty-eight species of Cuban fishes. A duplicate of its 
manuscripts has been purchased by the Spanish government at a cost 
of $5,000, and has been exhibited at several European expositions, but 
the prospect of its publication is still remote. 
Poey has long been recognized as one of the most intelligent and 
faithful workers in faunal zoology. His writings are characterized by 
an entire lack of prejudice, his sole purpose being to place on record 
the- facts which come before him. His interest was maintained up to 
the time of his death, a fact the more remarkable as outside of his 
own family not a person in Cuba had any real knowledge or appreci- 
ation of his work, His long life has been a very happy one, and few 
naturalists of our day have better deserved the good will and respect of 
their fellow-workers than the genial and cheery Professor Poey.— 
D. S. Jorpan. 
