APPRECIATIONS 435 



natural history and natural resources of the United 

 States. In 1876 he was a member of the board on behalf 

 of the United States Executive Departments at the 

 International Exhibition of 1876, and the collections pre- 

 pared under his direction were acknowledged to be among 

 the most instructive and impressive exhibited on that 

 occasion. 



"As Commissioner of Fisheries he rendered a twofold 

 service. The scientific work, which was considered by 

 him to be of the utmost value as a foundation for the 

 practical work which was to follow, has been exceedingly 

 extensive and important, and the achievements of the 

 United States Government in this direction are recog- 

 nized throughout the world as evidence of its enlightened 

 and liberal attitude toward scientific research. Fifteen 

 years ago less was known in this country of the natural 

 history of our waters than perhaps in any other civilized 

 country of the world. In 1877, however, it was generally 

 conceded by foreign naturalists that the United States 

 was further advanced than any other country in this 

 department of science. The scientific work of the com- 

 mission has always been conducted with reference to 

 definite and practical results, and the economic side of 

 the work of the Fish Commission is comparatively in a 

 still more advanced condition. 



"It seems hardly necessary to dwell upon the results 

 in fish-culture attained by the commission under Professor 

 Baird's direction. You are thoroughly familiar with the 

 manner in which certain fisheries, such as the shad fishery 

 of the Atlantic coast, the salmon fishery of the Pacific 

 coast, and the whitefish fishery of the Great Lakes, have 

 been saved from destruction; how the Asiatic carp has 

 been planted in the 20,000 or more ponds and lakes in 



