CONSTANTINE SCHMALTZ RAFINESQUE. BY THEODORE L. CHASE. IN tribute to the memory of an indefatigable worker in various departments of science and literature-who, unappreciated whilst living, pursued his investigations under circumstances. that might have discouraged the most persevering-one whom neither adverse fortune could depress, nor the lack of sympathy and encouragement dishearten, it is proposed to submit a brief retrospect of the life labor of Constantine Schmaltz Rafinesque. SCHMALTE His father, one of the partners of a mercantile firm in Marseilles, resided near Constantinople, where he married Miss Schmaitz, a native of Greece, though of German parentage. There his son Constantine was born, in the year 1784. During his infancy his par ents returned to Marseilles, and he remained several years with his father's relatives attending school, and developing an early inclination for studies appertaining to natural science. The excesses of the French revolution caused the family to leave France and seek a home in Leghorn, where they remained until 1796. At eleven years of age, he was well advanced in Botanical studies, a selftaught knowledge of Latin enabling him to understand books on that subject. His father being dead, and his estate squandered by those in charge. of its administration, he went to reside with M. Lanthois, his mother's second husband. In 1802, it was determined to send him and his younger brother to the United States. They sailed in March, arriving at Philadelphia, April 18th. Through letters of introduction, he made the acquaintance of Dr. Rush, who offered to receive him as a pupil, but having previously determined to give his attention to mercantile pursuits, he entered the counting-house of Clifford Brothers. The yellow fever shortly afterward made VOL. VI.-7 SOMIOLOG. N. 22.OCT. Verta et Philosophie Friend HI Repreque Political disturbances resulting from Napoleon's defeat, hastened his departure from Sicily, and in 1815 he took passage on the ship Union for New York. It required fifty cases to contain his herbal and mineral collections. His manuscripts included two thousand maps and drawings, and three hundred copper-plate illustrations-his collection of shells numbered 600,000 specimens. its appearance, and he removed to Germantown, Mitchill. He remained in Sicily ten years, during which period he made the acquaintance of many learned mnm Furope, and pursued his investigations with an ardor that never flagged. New plants were discovered, four hundred specimens of fishes chraafied, shells, molluscas, zoophytes and sea plints without number. Children were employed to gather for him what the waves cast ashore, and fishermen drew their nets to obtain specimens for his work then in progress, entitled "The Flora and Natural History of Sicily. "In 1810, his work on Sicilian Ichthyology was printed at Messina. In 1814, the History of Sicilian Crabs and Crustaceous Animals was published in fragments. Another work on Sicily embracing observations and statistical descriptions was projected, but not permitted by the censor of the press to be published in consequence of the then threatened French invasion. Thus annoyed in his pursuits, and being desirous of quitting Sicily, he suggested to Sir Joseph Banks a plan to explore Australia by following the shores and rivers by land, with boats carrying provisions and collections, but it was deemed impracticable and abandoned. Another year was passed in investigations more particularly directed to archæology, and the completion of his "Analysis of Nature," afterward published in France, also in making visits to public libraries and convents in search of rare books on America. During his residence in Sicily he contributed to various publications in this country, most frequently to the "New York Medical Repository," then edited by Dr. The voyage was disastrous; when near the Azores the ship was struck by a squall, thrown on her beam ends, and only saved from destruction by cutting away two of her masts. Repairs were completed at the Island of St. Michael's and the voyage continued. Terrific gales were encountered, in one of which it became necessary to throw overboard the guns, in order to save the vessel. Two months were consumed in reaching Montauk Point, and on the night of November 2d, 1815, the ship struck a rock near Fisher's Island, and filled. The labors of twenty years were lost; books, manuscripts, drawings, specimens and even clothes. In a state of utter destitution he landed in New London and proceeded to New York, part of the way afoot. There he found friends in Drs. Mitchill and Hosack, De Witt Clinton and others. Desirous of immediate employment he accepted the offer of a position of tutor in the family of Chancellor Livingston, at Clermont. There in the midst of the Chancellor's fine library he occupied his leisure hours, and commenced rewriting his travels and recollections. During the winter Mrs. Livingston's ill health caused the family's removal to Charleston, South Carolina. Not wishing at that time to go so far southward, he reluctantly bid farewell to his pupils, returned to New York, and began a new collection of plants, shells and fishes, making excursions in the spring to the banks of the Hudson, Lake George, Glen's Falls, etc. He became a member of the Philosophical Society, and was one of the founders of the Lyceum of Natural History in that city. During a visit to Philadelphia he there met his old friend, J. D. Clifford, then residing in Kentucky, who invited him to visit the west in the following spring. In 1818 he started westward by the way of Pittsburg, Cincinnati, Louisville, etc. At Hendersonville, in Kentucky, he met and passed some days with Audubon, who was then engaged in making his collection of birds. Several weeks were spent in obtaining specimens of the fishes and shells of the Ohio River, many of which were entirely new. His labors at this time were vast-occupying the professorship of History and Natural Science in Transylvania University at Lexington, gathering material for his work on the "Ichthyology of the Ohio River"-contributing numerous scientific articles to the "Western Review," "Silliman's Journal" and "Bory's Annals of Physical Science," at Brussels, besides maintaining frequent correspondence with the leading naturalists of Europe. To Cuvier he sent descriptions of seventy new genera of animals, and fifty of plants, which that distinguished author made use of in his various works. In 1821, he began those studies relating to American history, the archæology, ethnography and philology of American nations, that were the first intelligent investigations relating to prehistoric America, and to which numerous writers on that America, and to which numerous writers on that subject since have acknowledged their indebtedness. In 1823, he explored the State of Kentucky -a portion of the results of these labors is embod ied in the "Ancient History of Kentucky," published in Frankfort, in 1824. The portion relating to ancient monuments was republished by scientific journals in France. An application about this time was made to Mr. Jefferson for a situation in the then new University of Virginia, offering to found there a museum and botanic garden at his own expense, but it was rejected. With his intelligence and industry as a writer and collector, the University would in that department of natural science have occupied a leading position among the educational institutions of the country. The interval from 1825 to 1830 he devoted to scientific excursions through the States of Ohio, New York and Virginia, making frequent contributions to various scientific journals and societies. To the Geographical Society of Paris he sent a memoir on the primitive negroes of Asia and America, for which he received the gold medal of the society,' with a diploma of merit, the first instance of such an honor being awarded to an American citizen. He submitted a paper (250 pages of manuscript) Obverse. Reverse. GOLD MEDAL-EXACT FAC-SIMILE. in competition for a prize of $100 offered by the Academy of Science in Boston, for the best account of the materials yet existing for a history of the nations and tribes of America before Columbus. The committee decided that his was the best, but did not award it the prize because it was too long. Its length, however, did not prevent its being incorporated without credit in the work of another writer, published shortly afterward. In the spring of 1832 the "Atlantic Journal" was commenced, and continued two years, containing many valuable papers on historical and natural science, American history and languages. Rafinesque was ever busy gathering materials, but had not the means to enable him to publish systematically the result of his labor. The dedication of his memorable work "The American Nations" is dated 1833, yet the two small volumes of less than three hundred pages were not issued until 1836. Those who will give this work patient and thoughtful consideration will be surprised at the mass of information it contains, the immense learning involved in its production, and the ability with which theories are advanced and supportedyet it is probably a mere synopsis of his vast collections relating to the subjects discussed-in other words he was compelled to condense his material in proportion to his ability to pay the printer. The student of history in his examination of this work, must ever regret the circumstances that enforced the brevity with which the subjects requiring most elaboration are treated. The "American Nations' assimilates American and European races in the following divisions: 1. The Conis, called by Herodotus, Cunetes or Cynetes, the oldest nation in Western Europe, had been driven to the southwest of Spain despising terms of women, rabbits, dogs or serviles 2500 years ago. The name is equivalent to the in fifty languages of ancient and modern Europe. American branches of this nation are found in the Political disturbances resulting from Napoleon's defeat, hastened his departure from Sicily, and in 1815 he took passage on the ship Union for New York. It required fifty cases to contain his herbal and mineral collections. His manuscripts included two thousand maps and drawings, and three hundred copper-plate illustra tions-his collection of shells numbered 600,000 specimens. its appearance, and he removed to Germantown, Mitchill. He remained in Sicily ten years, during which period he made the acquaintance of many learned men in Europe, and pursued his investigations with an ardor that never flagged. New plants were discovered, four hundred specimens of fishes classified, shells, molluscas, zoophytes and sea plants without number. Children were employed to gather for him what the waves cast ashore, and fishermen drew their nets to obtain specimens for his work then in progress, entitled "The Flora and Natural History of Sicily. "In 1810, his work on Sicilian Ichthyology was printed at Messina. In 1814, the History of Sicilian Crabs and Crustaceous Animals was published in fragments. Another work on Sicily embracing observations and statistical descriptions was projected, but not permitted by the censor of the press to be published in consequence of the then threatened French invasion. Thus annoyed in his pursuits, and being desirous of quitting Sicily, he suggested to Sir Joseph Banks a plan to explore Australia by following the shores and rivers by land, with boats carrying provisions and collections, but it was deemed impracticable and abandoned. Another year was passed in investigations more particularly directed to archæology, and the completion of his "Analysis of Nature," afterward published in France, also in making visits to public libraries and convents in search of rare books on America. During his residence in Sicily he contributed to various publications in this country, most frequently to the "New York Medical Repository," then edited by Dr. The voyage was disastrous; when near the Azores the ship was struck by a squall, thrown on her beam ends, and only saved from destruction by cutting away two of her masts. Repairs were completed at the Island of St. Michael's and the voyage continued. Terrific gales were encountered, in one of which it became necessary to throw overboard the guns, in order to save the vessel. Two months were consumed in reaching Montauk Point, and on the night of November 2d, 1815, the ship struck a rock near Fisher's Island, and filled. The labors of twenty years were lost; books, manuscripts, drawings, specimens and even clothes. In a state of utter destitution he landed in New London and proceeded to New York, part of the way afoot. There he found friends in Drs. Mitchill and Hosack, De Witt Clinton and others. Desirous of immediate employment he accepted the offer of a position of tutor in the family of Chancellor Livingston, at Clermont. There in the midst of the Chancellor's fine library he occupied his leisure hours, and commenced rewriting his travels and recollections. During the winter Mrs. Livingston's ill health caused the family's removal to Charleston, South Carolina. Not wishing at that time to go so far southward, he reluctantly bid farewell to his pupils, returned to New York, and began a new collection of plants, shells and fishes, making excursions in the spring to the banks of the Hudson, Lake George, Glen's Falls, etc. He became a member of the Philosophical Society, and was one of the founders of the Lyceum of Natural History in that city. During a visit to Philadelphia he there met his old friend, J. D. Clifford, then residing in Kentucky, who invited him to visit the west in the following spring. In 1818 he started westward by the way of Pittsburg, Cincinnati, Louisville, etc. At Hendersonville, in Kentucky, he met and passed some days with Audubon, who was then engaged in making his collection of birds. Several weeks were spent in obtaining specimens of the fishes and shells of the Ohio River, many of which were entirely new. His labors at this time were vast-occupying the professorship of History and Natural Science in Transylvania University at Lexington, gathering material for his work on the "Ichthyology of the Ohio River"-contributing numerous scientific articles to the "Western Review," "Silliman's Journal" and "Bory's Annals of Physical Science," at Brussels, besides maintaining frequent correspondence with the leading naturalists of Europe. To Cuvier he sent descriptions of seventy new genera of animals, and fifty of plants, which that distinguished author made use of in his various works. In 1821, he began those studies relating to American history, the archæology, ethnography and philology of American nations, that were the first intelligent investigations relating to prehistoric America, and to which numerous writers on that subject since have acknowledged their indebtedness. In 1823, he explored the State of Kentucky -a portion of the results of these labors is embod ied in the "Ancient History of Kentucky," published in Frankfort, in 1824. The portion relating to ancient monuments was republished by scientific journals in France. An application about this time was made to Mr. Jefferson for a situation in the then new University of Virginia, offering to found there a museum and botanic garden at his own expense, but it was rejected. With his intelligence and industry as a writer and collector, the University would in that department of natural science have occupied a leading position among the educational institutions of the country. The interval from 1825 to 1830 he devoted to scientific excursions through the States of Ohio, New York and Virginia, making frequent contributions to various scientific journals and societies. To the Geographical Society of Paris he sent a memoir on the primitive negroes of Asia and America, for which he received the gold medal of the society, with a diploma of merit, the first instance of such an honor being awarded to an American citizen. He submitted a paper (250 pages of manuscript) 'This medal is now in possession of Dr. Wm. Kent Gilbert, of Philadelphia, to whose kindness the MONTHLY is indelted for the opportunity of having it engraved, and also for the rare portrait of Rafinesque, reproduced on page 97. The fac-simile autograph is from a letter in the collection of Mr. R. C. Davis. GOLD MEDAL-EXACT FAC-SIMILE. in competition for a prize of $100 offered by the of the materials yet existing for a history of the Academy of Science in Boston, for the best account nations and tribes of America before Columbus. The committee decided that his was the best, but did not award it the prize because it was too long. Its length, however, did not prevent its being incorporated without credit in the work of another writer, published shortly afterward. In the spring and continued two years, containing many valuable of 1832 the Atlantic Journal" was commenced, papers on historical and natural science, American 66 history and languages. but had not the means to enable him to publish Rafinesque was ever busy gathering materials, systematically the result of his labor. The dediIcation of his memorable work "The American Nations" is dated 1833, yet the two small volumes of less than three hundred pages were not issued until 1836. Those who will give this work patient and thoughtful consideration will be surprised at the mass of information it contains, the immense learning involved in its production, and the ability with which theories are advanced and supported— lections relating to the subjects discussed-in other yet it is probably a mere synopsis of his vast colwords he was compelled to condense his material in proportion to his ability to pay the printer. The student of history in his examination of this work, must ever regret the circumstances that enmost elaboration are treated. forced the brevity with which the subjects requiring The "American Nations' assimilates American and European races in the following divisions: I. The Conis, called by Herodotus, Cunetes or Cynetes, the oldest nation in Western Europe, had been driven to the southwest of Spain 2500 years ago. The name is equivalent to the despising terms of women, rabbits, dogs or serviles in fifty languages of ancient and modern Europe. American branches of this nation are found in the |