AUDUBON AND RAFINESQUE
The "Eccentric Naturalist" at Henderson—Bats and new
species—The demolished violin—"M. de T.": Constantine
Samuel Rafinesque (Schmaltz)—His precocity, linguistic
acquirements and peripatetic habits—First visit to
America and botanical studies—Residence in Sicily,
and fortune made in the drug trade—Association with
Swainson—Marriage and embitterment—His second journey
to America ends in shipwreck—Befriended—Descends Ohio
in a flat-boat—Visit with Audubon, who gives him many
strange "new species"—Cost to zoölogy—His unique
work on Ohio fishes—Professorship in Transylvania
University—Quarrel with its president and trustees—Return
to Philadelphia—His ardent love of nature; his writings,
and fatal versatility—His singular will—His sad end and
the ruthless disposition of his estate 285