PROCEEDINOS AT A MEETING COMMEMORATIVE OF THE LIFE AND 



SCIENTIFIC WORK 



OF 



SPENCER FULLERTON BAIRD, 



Held January 11, 1888, under the joint auspices of the Anthropological, Biological, and 

 Philosophical Societies of Washington. 



INTRODUCTION. 



On August 19, 1887, Spencer FuUerton Baird, Secretary of the Smiib- 

 souiaa lustitution, Director of the U. S. Natioual Museum, and U, S. 

 Commissioner of Fish and Fisheries, died at Wood's Holl, Massachu- 

 setts, his post of duty in the last-named office. His death at once ex- 

 cited throughout the world feelings and expressions of profound regret. 

 At that time nearly all of his Washington associates in scientific pursuits 

 were absent from the city, on field duty or in vacation, and were thus 

 unable to jointly testify to the affection and respect in which he was 

 held by them. 



And especially the scientific societies of Washington, none of which 

 meet during the summer months, were unable to immediately take any 

 action in the matter or to give organized expression to the sentiments 

 of their members. 



With the resumption of meetings, however, it was determined that 

 such expression should be given with all ceremonial completeness, and 

 as the senior of the Washington scientific societies, and the one with 

 which Professor Baird had been most closely connected, the Philosoph- 

 ical Society took the initial steps in arranging a joint meeting with the 

 Anthropological and Biological Societies, a meeting which might enable 

 the members and their friends to testify not only their profound respect 

 for this foremost scientific leader, but also their affectionate regard for 

 the man. 



The appended invitation and programme, which was mailed to all 

 members of the Philosoi)hical, Antliropological, Biological, and Chem- 

 ical Societies, and of the Cosmos Club, sets forth the form taken in 

 those arrangements. 



Washington, January 4, 1888. 



Sir : The Philosophical Society in conjunction with the other scien- 

 tific societies of the city will hold a meeting on Wednesday evening, 

 January the eleventh, in commemoration of the life and services to 



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