BAER, kAIIL Eit.NsT Vox, a distinguished Russian naturalist, b. Feb. 29, 1792, in Esthonia. During 1810-14, he studied medicine at the uuiVersity of Dorptit, but con vinced that Russia as it then was presented very few advantages for the aequisition of scientific knowledge, he went to Germany in 1814, where lie studied comparative anatomy under D011inger in WOrzbirrg. He also Made the acquaintance of prof. Nees of Esenbeck, who exercised a considerable influence over hint., 1817, he went to Ebnigsberg, where, two years after, lie Was appointed professor o zoology, and charged with the organization of the zoological museum. In he was called to St. Peters burg, and was soon known as one of the most active members of the academy (of which he became an honorary member in 1862). As a naturalist, he has specially occupied himself with the difficult subject of embryology; and to his laborious investigations we owe several most valuable discoveries in regard to the development of organic bodies, Beginning with his Epistola de oni Maimnaliam, et Hominis Genesi (Leip. 1827), he still
further elucidated this subject in his History of Animal Development (Konigsberg, 1828-37) and History of the Development of Fishes (Leip. 1835). After his return to St. Petersburg, he made the polar re,gions the objects of his study. Ile examined carefully the northern shores of Russia, and published a minute description of their fauna and flora. IIe sug gested valuable improvements in the Russian fisheries. In 1864, the 50th year of his doctorate was celebrated by the Esthonian nobility, at whose expense a splendid volume was published, Containing B.'s autobiography. He d. Nov. 29, 1876. His Redcn and .Kleine Aufsiltze appeared in 1864-75; the Jieitrdge oar Kenntniss des Rassiehen, Beichs (26 vols.) in 1864-75.