APPRECIATIONS 445 



From Harrison Allen, M.D., to G. Brown Goode. 



PHILADELPHIA, Mar. 7, 1890. 

 DEAR SIR, 



. . . My acquaintance with Professor Baird began 

 in 1861. At that time I was studying medicine in Phila- 

 delphia, and, since the study of the Natural Sciences was 

 recommended, I was in the habit of frequenting the library 

 of the Academy of Natural Sciences. One day while 

 reading Griffith's translation of Cuvier's Regne Animal 

 I was approached by a gentleman who asked me what I 

 was reading. I chanced to be looking over the chapter 

 which treated of the bats. In the course of the conversa- 

 tion that ensued he advised me to go to the specimens 

 rather than to content myself with reading about them. 

 This was the first notice I had ever received from anyone 

 and the advice made a deep impression on my mind. I 

 afterward ascertained that the strange gentleman was 

 Professor Baird. He was often in Philadelphia, being in 

 constant communication with Mr. John Cassin, the orni- 

 thologist, and I had many opportunities of meeting him. 

 The training in habits of exact observation gained by 

 studying zoology has been of great advantage to me in 

 my profession, and I have always felt an indebtedness to 

 Professor Baird for his advice and encouragement. 



During the period that I remained in the army as 

 assistant surgeon , Professor Baird exerted his influence 

 to obtain for me posts of duty which permitted me to 

 pursue my studies in natural history. I remained for 

 the most part from 1862 to 1865 in close association with 

 him at the Smithsonian Institution. 



