ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES. 237 



rejoined him. Since then San Francisco has been bis home, though travelling 

 in many parts of California. 



In April, 1865, he undertook his ill-starred journey to Nicaragua. His 

 explorations here were limited principally to the lake country, where he passed 

 some five months exploring the dense and tangled jungles of the vicinity ; 

 ascending the volcanoes of Mombacbo and Ometepec, and visiting Leon and 

 Granada. In June, he met at San Juan del Sur, our well-known botanist, Dr. 

 Torry, on his way to San Francisco. These two kindred spirits passed several 

 pleasant days together. 



He left Nicaragua on the steamship Moses Taylor, Capt Blethen, on the 

 third of September, 18G5, apparently in perfect health. On the fifth, the effects 

 of the insiduous malaria of the country were evident. On the ninth, he died ; 

 being fifty-eight years old. On the seventeenth, the body arrived in San Fran- 

 cisco, and was afterwards interred at Lone Mountain Cemetery. He leaves a 

 widow, two daughters, and three sons. 



Mr. Bridges was of a siugularly retiring and modest disposition, and very 

 few publications of his own remain to attest his devotion to Natural Science. 

 But works in every branch of study, particularly of Professor Lindley, and 

 Sir William Hooker, in the department of Botany, bear abundant evidence of 

 his untiring industry and unusual success. 



That he died a martyr to his love for Natural History, there is no room for 

 doubt ; and his most appropriate memorials are the magnificent evergreens now 

 adorning, through his agency, the groves and avenues of the old world. 



With all impartial naturalists, Mr. Bridges and such as he, " who bear the 

 burden and heat of the day," are entitled to honors; if not precisely of the same 

 character as those due to the students who in their comfortable libraries work 

 up the results of the collector, still to honors quite as high. 



Regular Meeting, January 15th, 1866. 



President in the chair. 



Eight members present. 



Mr. Bolander presented his report, as Curator of Botany, for the 

 year 1865, as follows. 



During the past year the Herbarium of the Academy has been increased — 

 1st. By a set of Hall's Bocky Mountain Plants. 



2d. By a collection of plants from the Western States, made by Mr. Elihu 

 Hall. 



3d. By a large collection made by Mr. Canby at Wilmington, Del. 

 4th. By a small collection from M. S. Bebb, Esq , Washington, D. C. 



