SPENCER F. BAIRD. 743 



here that Baird exhibited his skill. His own devices were many and 

 constant, and he was ever fertile in suggestions to his assistants. No 

 wonder, then, that so many of the secrets of nature were unlocked 

 through his agency. It was in the direction of this work of research 

 that the man Baird stood forth as a giant ; it was w.here his vast knowl- 

 edge of details was most apparent; it was where his marvellous skill 

 was most shown ; it was where his insight into human character was 

 most exhibited. With clearness he formulated his interrogatories ; 

 with aptness he selected his course of procedure ; with judgment he 

 sought the aid of others, and with suggestiveues's directed their work. 

 And, lo ! his questions were speedily answered. It was in this manner 

 that his own good hands were supplemented by the bands of many, 

 that his own great mind was re-enforced by the best mental activity of 

 many assistants; and thus the whole body of men nnder his control 

 worked together as one organic integer for the increase and diftusion of 

 knowledge among men. 



In his work with his assistants he scrupulously provided (hat every 

 one should receive the meed of honor due for successful research and 

 be treated all with generosity. Many an investigation begun by himself 

 was turned over to assistants when he found that valuable conclusions 

 could be reached ; and these assistants, who were his warm friends, his 

 younger brothers, reaped the reward ; and he had more joy over every 

 young man's success than over the triumphs and honors heaped upon 

 himself from every quarter of the globe. He was the sympathetic 

 counsellor of many men; into his ears were poured the sorrows and 

 joys of others, and he mourned with the mourning and rejoiced with 

 the rejoicing. To those in need his hand was ready and his purse was 

 open, and many were the ijoor who called him "blessed." Though a 

 man of great force of character, a man of great learning, a man upon 

 whom had been showered the honors of the scientific world, in char- 

 acter he was as simple as a child. He had a fund of '' folk-lore," and 

 loved the books and papers written for children. In his later years, 

 weakened with disease and burdened with many labors, he still read 

 " St. Nicholas " from month to month, and kept the run of every little 

 story, and was glad to be " a child again." His life at home was pure 

 and sweet, and full of joys, for he gave and received love and trust 

 and tender care. But the history of his home life is sacred. Its words 

 and acts abide in the hearts of the wife and the daughter. 



For many long months he contemplated the day of parting. Labor 

 that knew no rest, responsibility that was never lifted from his 

 shoulders, too soon brought his life to an end. In the summer of the 

 past year he returned to his work by the seaside, that he might die in 

 its midst. There at Wood's HoU he had created the greatest biologic 

 laboratory of the world ; and in that laboratory, with the best results 

 of his life-work all about him, he calmly and philosophically waited 

 for the time of times. Three days before he died he asked to be placed 



