x PREFACE 



which the present writer has made use. Apart from this 

 the material which has been at the present writer's 

 disposal consisted of Professor Baird's original journals, 

 extending from 1838 to 1887, but with a certain number 

 of gaps. These journals are mere notes of where he was, 

 what he was busy over, and the names of persons met 

 during the day. There are few references to the larger 

 matters on which he was engaged; rarely any expression 

 of opinion; and never any complaint or criticism. More- 

 over, the journals are written in a very difficult hand, with 

 many abbreviated words, so that, to one unfamiliar with 

 work and conditions at the Museum, much would be 

 incomprehensible. Next come the letters selected for the 

 copyist by Miss Baird. This material, excepting the 

 letters of his early life written to his brother William, 

 contains hardly half a dozen family letters. Owing to 

 the destruction by fire at the Smithsonian of the archives 

 prior to 1865, the letters used are almost wholly from his 

 correspondents, while Baird's own official letters of that 

 period are nearly all missing. 



Such letters as have been selected for publication in 

 this volume are printed verbatim, except for the omis- 

 sion of irrelevant matter, correction of the copyist's 

 obvious blunders, and the printing in full of abbreviated 

 words when the latter seemed likely to be obscure to 

 the reader. 



There were also some pages of precious reminiscences, 

 written from Miss Baird's dictation, which have been 

 utilized wherever practicable, after verification of dates, 

 etc., and supplying blanks left where she was uncertain 

 as to the reliability of her memory. 



Finally, there was a great mass of miscellaneous 

 material, accounts, statistics, etc., and relevant notes 



