University of Wisconsin Madison - Badger Yearbook (Madison, WI)

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'95 --um-THE UNIVERSITY 'BADGER M 19 fThe original scientific work of Prof. Birge has been mainly on the Cladocera. Up to the present time the systematic notes only have been published. The general problem which isbeing studied is the condition of life at the edges of ponds and fresh water lakes on prairies and in forests. A catalogue and description of the species found is a necessary preliminary to this general study. This work is not yet complete, but several new species have been discovered. The general study is far enough advanced to show that in 'Wisconsin there exists a fauna of the order Cladocera nearly as great as in any European country. Also, it has been dis- covered that there is an unexpectedly close relation between our fauna and that of Europe. Papers embody- ing later results on the Cladocera are found in Vols. VH. and IX. of the Transactions of the Wisconsin Academy. The long interval between the publication of earlier and later papers is due in part to the pressure of College work incident to a growing department, and also partly to the total destruction of all scientific notes and sketches in the Science Hall fire in 188LL.j However, recognizing the fact that one's capacity for work is limited, Prof. Birge has chosen to give his energy primarily to the development of his department. VVhen he entered the University as an instructor, biology had been but recently recognized as of sufficient importance to require the attention of one man. For several years his instructional. work covered both Zoology and botany. So rapidly did the department grow that within a few years it was sub-divided, botany being taken by Vlfilliam F. Trelease, now at the head of the Shaw Botanical Garden at St. Louis. As a consequence of the vigorous teaching of Zoology, the number of students in the department so increased that at the present time two additional men have been obtained to care for them. One must then look for the chief fruits of Prof. Birge's life to the students instructed by him who year after year leave the University to take their part in the world's work. They go bearing with them the scientific spirit. This means that hundreds of young men and women have trained judgments, habits of exact work, and such patience and perseverance as are only developed by following month after month a single line of scientific investigation. The expansion of the Department of Zoology has been a part of the general development of the science of the University, and of the University as a wh ole. Wfhen Dr. Birge came to lVIadison the scientific departments had no separate building, being conhned to a single suite of rooms and EL cellar-like basement in University

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go THE UNlVER:97TY '95 Hall. To house them at the present time requires more than a half dozen buildings, the largest of which is Science Hall. During these years the scientilic branch ofthe University has advanced from a small and almost unknown school to one belonging to the first class in this country. As Professor and Dean, Dr. Birge has also exerted a potent influence upon the general progress of the University. Always standing for the higher grade of work, always urging a step forward, always demand- ing of the students their best, he has been surpassed by no other professor in adyancing the University of Vlfisconsin from a local to a national institution of learning. Ebvoin IE. JBrx3ant. 'DWIN EUSTACE BRYANT was born January 10, 1835, at Milton, Chittendon County, Vermont. He attended the Academy at Bakersfield, Vermont and pursued collegiate studies for two years at New Hampton Institute. He came to Wfisconsin in 1857, and, having studied law in Vermont, was admitted to the bar at Janesville, Vlfisconsin, in 1858. He then practiced law until 1861, when he entered the military service. During the war he took part in many of the most important battles and held the ofhces of lieutenant, adju- tant, commissioner of enrollment and lieutenant-colonel. In 1866 he resumed the work of his profession, practicing at Madison from 1872 to 1883, in partnership with William F. Vilas. He was twice Adjutant- General of Wisconsin, from 1868 to 1872, and from 1878 to 1881, and was Assistant Attorney-General of the Post-ofhce Department from 1885 to 1889. In 1889 he was appointed Dean of the College of Law, where he is instructor in the law of personal property, criminal law, the law of public offices and oihcers, and in practice and pleading, and railway law. In connection with John C. Spooner he prepared and published an edition of town laws, with forms and instructions, in 1871 he framed the legislation wh ich adopted the reformed criminal procedure and provided