OSCAR HARGER. 
1843-1887. 
OscAR HARGER, the son of Alfred and Ruth (Beardsley) 
Harger, was born in Oxford, Conn., Jan. 12th, 1843. From 
his father, who was of Huguenot descent, and a farmer 
and land surveyor, he inherited great physical endurance, 
remarkable mathematical talents and the salient points of 
his strong character. By almost unaided exertions he 
prepared himself for college, at the Connecticut Literary 
Institute at Suffield, Conn., and, entering Yale, maintained 
himself during the four years of undergraduate study by 
teaching and mathematical work, and was graduated with 
high standing in the Class of 1868. During his college 
course he developed great mathematical capacity and ever 
after took special delight in abstruse mathematical work, 
often resorting to it for recreation. It is probable that the 
bent of his mind was mathematical but, while a boy, he 
had studied botany and become familiar with the native 
plants about his home, although his time was so occupied 
with farm labor during the proper time for botanizing 
that he commenced the study of grasses and sedges in 
winter, collecting and identifying many species from the 
hay stored in barns. His success in botany undoubtedly 
led him to turn his attention to other departments of natu- 
ral history, and after graduation from college, he abandoned 
the mathematical career open to him and began the study 
of zodlogy with Professor Verrill. 
In his zodlogical studies he at once showed special 
aptitude for original work and had begun important in- 
vestigations when, in 1870, he was appointed Assistant in 
Palzontology in Yale College, and went with Professor 
Marsh on his geological expeditions in 1871 and 1873. 
