DITSON, George Leighton, traveler, born in Westford, Massachusetts, 5 August 1812. He was educated at Westford academy, and began the study of medicine in Boston, but gave it up on account of impaired health. After many years' absence from the United States he returned, and took his medical degree at Vermont University in 1864, but never practiced. Dr. Ditson has traveled widely in Europe, Asia, and Africa. While in Russia he crossed the Caucasus range, a feat that had been accomplished by no other foreigner not connected with the Russian army. While living in the Island of Cuba he was several times acting U. S. consul at Nuevitas under Presidents Tyler and Polk, and he opened and developed the copper mines at Bayatavo. While a resident of Puerto Principe, in 1842'3, he was professor of English in the Dupuis College there. Dr. Ditson is a member of the Geological society of France, the Theosophi t cal society, the American oriental society, and other learned societies, and has published "Circassia, or a Tour to the Caucasus" (New York, 1850); "Crimora" (Boston, 1852); "The Para Papets on France, Egypt, and Ethiopia" (Paris, 1858): "The Crescent and French Crusaders" (New York, 1859; reissued as "Adventures and Observations on the Northern Coast of Africa"); and "The Federati of Italy" (Boston, 1871). He has in preparation (1887) a "History of Ohio."