APPRECIATIONS 447 



he combined the functions of administrator and investi- 

 gator. This combination did not interfere apparently 

 with his scientific work. This was pursued in a fragmen- 

 tary way subject to innumerable interruptions and 

 revisions, without impairment. He once told me that he 

 wrote his book on the North American birds in sittings 

 which could not have averaged over fifteen minutes. 

 His industry was enormous. He lost no time by mis- 

 directed efforts indeed he was a personation of sys- 

 tematic energy. Thus doubtless it came to pass that the 

 ends for which he so persistently fought were achieved, 

 and that his name will be associated for all time with 

 the first comprehensive plan for the organization of science 

 in America. 



I remain, yours truly, 



HARRISON ALLEN. 



From the Autobiography of Moncure D. Conwayf vol. /, 



p. 49, 1904. 



"Baird, the youngest of the Faculty, was the beloved 

 professor and the ideal student. He was beautiful and 

 also manly; all that was finest in the forms he explained 

 to us seemed to be represented in the man. He possessed 

 the art of getting knowledge into the dullest pupil. So 

 fine was his spirit that his explanations of all the organs 



4 Moncure Daniel Conway, born at Falmouth, Va., March 17, 

 1832; in whose autobiography may be found an interesting picture 

 of life at Dickinson College in the "forties," from the standpoint of 

 a student as remembered by him in his later years. He was a student 

 of Baird's who became a radical and reformer and had a career both 

 stormy and picturesque, was much loved and hated, praised and 

 condemned, but of unquestioned ability and courage. 



