432 PROCEEDINGS : BOSTON SOCIETY NATURAL HISTORY. 
to-night, allow me to be their spokesman. We are thankful to Pro¬ 
fessor Hyatt for his spirit — modest, earnest, simple, sincere man that 
he was. With no proclamation of achievement, with no elaborate 
organization of knowledge, he taught us to search for the simple 
truth for its own sake. 
All who ever studied under him cannot fail, to feel his influence 
and enthusiasm through life. It was not simply the facts which he 
presented; not only the enthusiasm for natural science gained from 
him ; not alone the admission to fellow studentship granted by this 
great, generous, modest mind to the most elementary student,— 
but all these combined that made the charm which we all remem¬ 
ber.’’ 
“ Professor Hyatt’s spirit and method of instruction were to me a 
revelation of the purifying and ennobling effect on the mind, of the 
study of natural science.” 
‘‘ As a teacher he was patient and thorough in the extreme; as a 
friend, sympathetic, self-sacrificing, and encouraging; and as a man, 
so modest and unassuming that he often failed to receive his due 
meed of appreciation. His liberal mind saw good in all sincere 
effort.” 
“He, like Agassiz, wished us to ‘study the fish,’ and because he 
was so much a master of his subject, he made his teaching simple.” 
“The wealth of his mind, the simplicity of his nature, the kind¬ 
ness and patience of his great heart placed him without a peer in 
the hearts of his pupils.” 
“ Professor Hyatt’s hold upon the members of the school was so 
firm, so kind, and so subtle that his earnestness was contagious.” 
A feeling of personal loss comes over each of his pupils in the 
School of Science. In the coming years he will remain in our 
memories as an ideal gentleman, a true teacher, and a sincere friend. 
LETTER OF PROF. FREDERIC W. PUTNAM. 
My dear Mr. Allen: — Imperative duties will prevent my being 
present at the meeting to-morrow. It is a great disappointment 
to me that I cannot be with you and speak a few words in memory 
of Alpheus Hyatt, my intimate friend for nearly half a century. 
From the day we became fellow students under Agassiz we have 
been close friends and have been associated in many ways. Of late 
