Rafinesque

[Richard Petit]

Mr. Bruner advises that Rafinesque was no idiot.  Actually, I know a bit
about that gentlemen and enjoyed correspondence with Charles Boewe who wrote
the revision of Fitzpatrick's bibliography of Rafinesque.  I have friends
who work with freshwater mollusks who think that Rafinesque probably walked
on water.  I am far from being alone in thinking otherwise.

I particularly like his travelogue describing the places he had visited and
also included the places he would have seen had he been with his father on a
certain trip. As for what Rafinesque thought of himself, you only have to
read his comparison of himself with Linnaeus, in which Linnaeus came out the
loser.

Fortunately we are all allowed to hold our own opinions.  Question: Would
you describe a fish you have never seen?

Regards,

Dick
r.e.petit at att.net