DR. WM. J. BEAL. 375 



classical department of the University of Michigan in 1855 and graduated 

 in 1859, receiving the degree of B. A. We see that Dr. 13eal entered 

 college at twenty-two and graduated at twenty-six, and even then did not 

 consider his education finished. Who may say how much his mature years 

 had to do with the thoroughness and accuracy which are a part of his very 

 being and character? 



After graduation he taught for nearly three years in an academy at 

 Union Springs, New York. In 1862, now almost thirty years of age, he 

 entered Harvard University to study under such masters as Agassiz, 

 W\Tnan, President Elliott, and especially Dr. Asa Gray, where he remained 

 over two years. After taking a degree at Harvard, he returned to Union 

 Springs and taught very successfully in the Howland School, where he had 

 charge of the natural science department. 



In 1868, he was called to the University of Chicago, where he was pro- 

 fessor of natural history for three years. During this time he lectured on 

 botany, zoology and geology at Wheaton College, Illinois. Indeed he was 

 in great demand as a lecturer, and addressed the students of many 

 academies and schools of Illinois. In 1870 he was called to lecture on bot- 

 any at the Michigan Agricultural College, and was elected the following 

 year to the chair of botany and horticulture. He has remained here ever 

 since, despite several very flattering calls to go elsewhere. In 1883 he was 

 elected to the professorship of botany and forestry, which position he still 

 holds. In 1862 Dr. Beal received the degree of M. A. from his Alma 

 Mater; in 1875 the degree of M. S. from the Chicago Univei-sity, and in 

 1880 the honorary degree of Doctor of Philosophy from the University of 

 Michigan. 



Great and diverse as has been Dr. Beal's work and influence, without 

 doubt his best and most telling labor has been at the Michigan Agricultural 

 College. His honest, hard work has proved contagious, and his influence 

 has had no minor part in sending out the admirable men that are so 

 signally honoring their Alma Mater. Dr. Beal is a trained observer, and 

 has a faculty rare among teachers of stirring up his pupils to close and 

 accurate observation. His students learn to see all that an object presents, 

 and to see accurately and judge correctly. Thus he gives, in an eminent 

 degree, just the culture that helps to win success in any line of work. 



Since 1871 he has been an able suj^porter of the State Horticultural 

 Society. If we except President Lyon and Secretary Garfield, it would be 

 difficult to name one who had done more for this excellent association, or 

 contributed more of value to its admirable reports. When the society was 

 young and poor, he gave time, money, and energj" to build it up. Since 

 1871 he has been a very generous and able contributor to the reports of 

 the State Board of Agriculture; and the justly merited reputation of those 

 reports is due to Dr. Beal as much as to any one person. His scientific 

 attainments, candid and judicial mind, accurate knowledge, and warm inter- 

 est in every good work, make his reports and lectures highly ai)preciated 

 and greatly prized. 



Dr. Beal has been an able contributor to the transactions of the Ameri- 

 can Pomological Society, of which association he was secretary for four 

 years — from 1881 to 1885. 



In 1875 he made a collection of grasses and woods and potatoes for the 

 Centennial. The collection was very fine and received much attention, 

 and won special mention and two diplomas. 



In 1881 a fine Botanical Laboratory was constructed for Dr. Beal, which 



