Page:A memoir of Lewis David von Schweinitz.djvu/24

Rh species of Hepatic Mosses. This he produced as a mere specimen of the cryptogamic flora of North America, intended to excite a more general attention among our native botanists, to this undeservedly neglected branch of natural history. In the same year he sent to Professor Silliman's Journal his Monography of the genus, a valuable paper, often cited by European naturalists.

At the close of this year his residence was transferred to his native village of Bethlehem, where the secular office of general agent for his brethren was retained, the charge of superintending the institution for the education of females accepted, and the study of his darling science unremittingly pursued. To range once more, in the vigour of his scientific maturity, over the same scenes in which had been sown the seeds of his usefulness, and where had budded the promises of his early youth, imparted new energy and assiduity to his efforts. The beautiful slopes and valleys about Bethlehem and Nazareth, the romantic banks of the Delaware, and the precipitous rocks of the Lehigh, all yielded up to him a tribute of their hitherto unexplored treasures. The high estimation set upon his works by men of science, had procured his election as an honorary member in several societies devoted to natural history, both in Europe and America. His correspondence increased, and the formation of his herbarium advanced with great rapidity.

In 1823 he was desired to examine and describe the plants collected by Mr. Say on the expedition of Major