SPENCER FULLERTON BAIRD 65 



life was fully decided, though this was not so apparent to his relatives 

 as it now is to us. It must be remembered that in 1840 zoology had 

 not received the recognition in America as a serious and important 

 branch of study that it has to-day, largely as the result of Baird's work. 

 There was no great National Museum; there were no zoologists occu- 

 pying important and enviable positions; there were hardly any oppor- 

 tunities for the publication of zoological work. It is not surprising, 

 therefore, that young Baird's ultra-devotion to- this subject was regarded 

 with somewhat modified approval. Here was a young man, manifestly 

 talented and able to make his way in the world, giving himself over to 

 birds and beasts, snakes and salamanders; things which were very 

 well to occupy the leisure moments of a gentleman, but were not cal- 

 culated to bring either fame or fortune ! Nevertheless, Baird went 

 his way, for he could not do otherwise; and even in those days he had 

 a staunch supporter in his grandmother, while his mother was too wise 

 to interfere with his plans. 



However, it appeared necessary to select a profession of some kind; 

 and, like so many other naturalists, he became a medical student. In 

 1841 we find him going to New York, where he lived during one winter, 

 part of the time with Dr. Middleton Goldsmith, and attended a course 

 of lectures at the College of Physicians and Surgeons. He never for- 

 mally completed his medical course, but in 1848 he received the degree 

 of M.D., honoris causa, from the Philadelphia Medical College. Baird's 

 life in New York is told in brief paragraphs in his diary. I made the 

 following extracts: 



Saturday, 6th. In evening with Dr. Goldsmith to see Mr. Audubon. 

 Found him unlike my preconceived idea of him. 



Audubon was, of course, at that time the ornithologist in this 

 country, and Baird became his legitimate successor in the science. The 

 first meeting (it appears that they had previously been in correspond- 

 ence) led to an almost immediate intimacy, as the dairy shows: 



8th, Monday. Heard Watts on osteology, and Torrey on chemistry. 



9th. Round to Mr. Audubon, 86 White St., to see his exquisite drawings 

 of quadrupeds, all finished size of life. Helped Dr. Goldsmith dissect a fox- 

 squirrel for Mr. Audubon. Heard Dr. Torrey in evening. 



12, Friday. Mr. Audubon called at the office (Mr. Goldsmith's, with 

 whom I am staying) to see me. 



He very soon became acquainted with all the prominent naturalists 

 in New York at that time, and was well received everywhere. 



23rd, Thursday. Dissecting opossum all day. 



In morn went with Major Leconte to see Dr. DeKay at the Lyceum, who is 

 preparing the State account of the Zoological Survey. He has all the animals 

 of New York, figured. At Mr. Audubon's where saw some live Neotoma 

 floridana (a species of woodrat) from South Carolina. Took some birds to 



VOL. LXVIII. — 5. 



