Generation
"there, (among them many new species, to several of which brother naturalists have affixed his name) and also to fishes.
Justly did a Scientific friend remark after his decease, "As a naturalist Mr. Linsley exhibited the most zealous enthusiasm, great segacity, and unfailing perseverance. With such qualifications he could not but succed, and his progress has indeed been surprisingly rapid."
He amassed rich and valuable cabinets, consisting of three various branches. That of birds has been mentioned. That of Consbology is very extensive and elegant, containing more than 2000 species. He also left valuable collections comprising fishes, min- erals, reptiles, geological remains, etc., beautifully arranged and labelied by himself with other interesting specimens of various des- criptions.
After becoming deeply interested in investigating the wonders of nature's varied treasures, he determined, should no insuperable obstacle oppose, to execute complete catalogues, with copious illus- trative notes, of the animals inhabiting Connecticut. This was a most arduous undertaking, requiring constant study and unremitting personal investigation.
It was a work much needed, as nothing of the kind had ever pre- viously been attempted in Connecticut and the science of zoology in this state was comparatively in its infancy.
He have found abundant employment and stimuli, often expressing his firm conviction that these charming and exciting labors pre- served his life by serving to abstract his attention from the pain- ful bodily maladies and affording ample amusement for his active spirits.
The catalogue of birds was completed first and appeared in Gill- man's Journal where it attracted much attention, and with its highly interesting notes, elicited many flattering notices.
This was followed by that on Mammalia. This list of reptiles being completed was published immediately after his decease, and one of the last acts he accomplished on earth, was to finish the article on fishes, which was also given to the public in due time. His cata- logue of shells was more elaborate, and cost him more labor than any of the others. He left this entire (although unaccompanied by the very interesting notes with which it would have been adorned had he lived to complete it himself) but not arranged, or prepared for publication. So perfect was it, however, that one of his family readily accomplished what was necessary in order for its presentation to the public.
Such are his labors in Natural Science, and while we take into consideration the short period devoted to it, and that with a grievous malady upon him ever and anon prostrating his energies, and compell- ing him to relinquish these pursuits, the amount of labor he accomp- lished, and what he achieved in the couse of science, is almost in- credible." (Family Rec. and Memoir, published in 1845).
Note. "He left a beloved wife and two amiable, pouis daughters. . .He had a large garden of fruit trees, bees and flowers." (Mans- field Genealogy and "Tuttle Genealogy").
There is a double Maltby descent here, as the wife of Rev. James Harvey Linsley, Sophia Brainard Lyon, was dau. of Col. William Lyon,
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