/ tirrru.se Allen LttphttlH. — W'iitrlnll. 5 
of the grasses of the United States. This eventuated in a 
large manuscript volume, yet in existence, but unpublished, 
and in a very large herbarium said to consisl of 24,000 speci- 
mens and 8,000 species, embracing the whole range of the veg- 
etable kingdom. Beginning with the study of the primitive 
boulders of Ohio, lie continued his geological work in Wiscon 
sin where he was soon recognized as the first authority in the 
state, and was made "chief geologist" of the state survey, 
organized in 187-5. He made valuable contributions also to 
the natural history, the statistics, the topography, the cartog- 
raphy, the civil history ami the educational affairs of his state. 
In science he was a cosmopolitan. He said his particular de- 
partment was the "study of Wisconsin." Thisisa simple hut 
expressive statement of the nature and variety of his scien- 
tific pursuits. Helived for many years in Milwaukee, lie 
died of heart disease, suddenly, while alone in a small row boat 
on lake Oconomowoc, while visiting his son whose farm was 
on the bank of that lake. Horn in L811, he was til years of 
age at his death. 
Dr. Lapham was for Wisconsin what David Dale Owen was 
for Indiana, and Douglass Houghton for Michigan. Hut he 
was also more than these. They were pioneer organizers anil 
light-bearers tor the succeeding generation in the line of 
geology simply. They started the first surveys, ami by their 
intelligent ami industrious labor they laid the foundations of 
the science in their states. Lapham spent the major portion 
of his life in allied sciences, and came to tin 1 near consumum 
tion of his full expectation in geological science near the 
(dose of his days — when he was appointed by Gov. Washburn 
tOCOnduct the geological survey of Wisconsin. He was well 
known as an archeologist for many years prior, and as a eli- 
matologist t he ( o>\ eminent had recognized his superior qual- 
ifications. Asa botanist he was the constant correspondent 
and coadjutor o\' most e<\' the botanists of the country, and 
hail made numerous contributions to their herbaria, as well as 
to the botanical literature of the day. L. Agassiz sought his 
aid in zoology; and as cartographer and general physicist 
every one in Wisconsin consulted him. He had made an im- 
portant discovery of certain markings in iron meteorites, since 
named Laphamite markings. There was. therefore, a uni\ ersal 
