348 SAMUEL GILMAN BROWN. 



Professor Baird's private collection was the real beginning of the 

 National Museum. His advent in the Smithsonian was immediately 

 followed by the donation of this collection, and the initiation of a move- 

 ment which, by slow degrees, finally led to the building and equipment 

 of our National Museum, in 1882. 



It was largely due to his work that the Bureau of Ethnology was 

 established, and Major Powell placed at its head, in 1879, and the 

 annual report of the Director is still made to the Secretary of the! 

 Smithsonian. 



The Bureau of Fish and Fisheries was established wholly through 

 his exertions and influence. Its services to science have been very 

 marked, especially in the important work of exploration and descrip- 

 tion of the faunas of the coast. Its services to economical science can- 

 not be fairly estimated at the present time, but even within the few 

 years since it began experimenting, it has demonstrated that the bold- 

 ness of its plan and the confidence of Baird in the resources of scien- 

 tific investigation were well grounded. The Commission has shown 

 that the prosperity of the fisheries and the supply of food fishes from 

 our inland waters and rivers can be controlled, and, further, that we 

 may also hope to be able to control the supply to be derived from the 

 sea. Independently of their economic value, these facts are important 

 additions to our scientific knowledge, and their influence upon the 

 prospects of science through the respect thus cultivated in the minds 

 of practical men has been very considerable. 



Professor Baird's personal and social influence at Washington, and 

 throughout the country, was in proportion to his great abilities and 

 unselfish life. 



The foundation of one institution leaves often an ineradicable impress 

 upon the history of science. Professor Baird's record included the 

 origin and early history of two institutions, and services of vital im- 

 portance in the foundation of others. These are his monuments, and 

 future generations will read in them the story of a life of devotion to 

 research and the betterment of humanity, which will not fail to excite 

 their admiration and gratitude. 



SAMUEL GILMAN BROWN. 



Rev. Samuel Gilman Brown, the son of Francis Brown, Presi- 

 dent of Dartmouth College, was born at North Yarmouth, Maine, 

 January 4, 1813. He graduated at Dartmouth College in 1831, and 

 at the Andover Theological Seminary in 1837. Though an ordained 



