312 SPENCER FULLERTON BAIRD 



in the South, ripened into warm feelings of attachment in consequence 

 of a constant correspondence. I have never known anyone more 

 earnest in striving after progress in knowledge of all kinds, nor indeed 

 any one more successful in attaining the objects of his pursuit, con- 

 sidering the highly unfavorable circumstances in which he has been 

 placed by his isolation. I do not know for what position in the 

 University you would nominate him: my acquaintance with him has 

 been more immediately in the line of natural science, in many branches 

 of this he excels; his strong point is botany, however, of which he is 

 a most successful cultivator. His collections of the plants of Alabama, 

 with notes upon their Natural History and peculiarities, which he 

 has transmitted to this Institution, are worthy of the highest credit. 

 In geology, too, he has made many interesting researches and obser- 

 vations. Of this his paper on the geology of the Choctaw Bluffs is 

 an instance. This was sent to me without any intention of publica- 

 tion, but merely as one of the many interesting communications made 

 from Alabama. It struck me as important, and on showing it to 

 Prof. Hall at Cleveland, he strongly advised its being read before 

 the American Association, which was accordingly done. Other de- 

 partments of Natural Science, Zoology, etc. have also experienced 

 his cultivating hands. As a chemist and analyst, too, his attainments 

 are of a high order. 



Thus much I know of him; how far he will be able to fill the place 

 of an astronomer or mathematician I cannot say. I have no doubt, 

 however, that anything he felt willing to undertake he could credit- 

 ably execute. A mind striving so earnestly to earn an honorable 

 name among men of science, feeling so keenly the restrictions of 

 limited means and secluded position and bursting so irresistibly 

 through the restrictions, must sooner or later attain a position where 

 he will reflect a lustre on all about him. 



Were I to permit selfish feelings to interfere, I would not take 

 any steps tending to affect the residence in Alabama of Mr. Winchell. 

 We are already under great obligations to him for interesting and 

 I think valuable, collections from Eutaw, and hope to have more 

 from Selma, where he has not been long enough to do much in the 

 way of collections. 



Very truly yours, 



SPENCER F. BAIRD. 



