62 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF [1888- 



Prof. J. T. RoTHEOCK then saiil : — 



I desire here to speak of Asa Gray simply as a teacher, and shall 

 not allude to his rich and rounded career in any other relation, 

 except so far as may be required to bring out the teacher more fully. 

 His work as a systematist will receive fuller and better consideration 

 from others, than I could hope to give it. 



Directly or indirectly almost all the botanical teachers and in- 

 vestigatoi's of this country owed their training, or their inspiration 

 to Professor Asa Gi'ay. If they had not been directly trained under 

 his eye, they Avere at least taught by those who had been, or luid 

 used the text-books prepared by him for the special purpose of 

 diffusing a popular knowledge of botany. Two of his least preten- 

 tious books, — "How Plants Grow" and "How Plants Behave" are 

 veritable missionaries which daily impart some worthy lesson to 

 thousands of children all over the land. We can hardlv think of 

 a time when these books will cease to be read, or to be popular. 



In each generation there are a few men to whom "the world owes 

 its most notable impulses." One may well say that the life and 

 labors of Charles Darwin illustrate this statement fully ; and with 

 equal propriety we may claim, that so far as our own country is con- 

 cerned, the teaching and example of Asa Gray were no less note- 

 worthy. 



There comes a time in the history of almost every ambitious youthr 

 bent upon an intellectual life, when he is called upon to decide what 

 special career he will select. His earliest ambition to become a master 

 in the whole realm of knowledge is found to be woi^se than a dream. 

 His first intention was to have devoted a year to one celebrated in- 

 structor and another year to a second, and so on, until he should lav 

 the broad and soKd foundation upon Avhich his great learning and 

 reputation might rest. I have known such ambitious students, and 

 I have known them to become pupils of Professor Gray, with the 

 ftdl intention of leaving him at the end of a year or two, to seek 

 instruction in another department of Science, from another teacher: 

 but of that number, very few ever completed their proposed course of 

 study. The charm of Professor Gray's manner, his kindness of 

 heart, no less than the constantly widening views which unfolded 

 under his instruction, Avedded them to botany for life. Yet I 

 neA^er knew him to say, or even intimate, that one should elect hU 

 branch OA'er anothers. There have been students to Avhom botany 

 Avas far from a favorite branch, but in less than six months, tlie 



