OtJmicl diaries Marsh. — Beecher. 137 
of the humorous and ludicrous and fond of relating amusing 
experiences and anecdotes. The sunny side of his character 
was nearly always uppermost, and the consideration of sub- 
jects of the greatest gravity was enlivened by constant sparkles 
of wit from his exhaustless store. 
He was normally restive under restraint, and met all 
opposition 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 fre- 
quently developed 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. 
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 Na- 
tional Museum. From 1895 to 1899 he wa5 associate editor 
of ''Science'' and also of ""The American Joiir7ial of Science ^ 
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 amovmt of care 
that he bestowed upon his private affairs, and was an active and 
efBcient leader. 
In 1877, he was the recipient of the first Bigsby medal 
awarded by the Geological Society of London, in recognition 
of his important labors on the vertebrate paleontology of the 
western territories of the United States. In 1898. the highly 
valued Cuvier prize was given him by the French Academy, 
