ASA GRAY. 761 



The Origin of Si)ecies was out in November, 1859. (Iray received au 

 early copy of it from Darwin, and therefore his very valuable review 

 was ready for the American Journal of Science early in 1860.* 



With regard to the sulliciency of the argument brought forward in 

 Darwin's work, Gray says that "To account upon these principles for 

 the gradual elimination and segregation of nearly allied forms — such as 

 varieties, sub-species and closely related or representative species, — aiid 

 also for their geographical association and present range, is compara- 

 tively easy, is apparently within the bonds of j)0ssibility, and even of 

 probability." But as to the formation of genera, families, orders, and 

 (ilasses by natural selection, Gray sim[)ly states Darwin's arguments on 

 the subject, and some objections on a few weak points, without express- 

 ing further his own views. He concludes with some remarks on the 

 itiligious bearing of a theory that refers creation to natural law and 

 declares rightly, in accordance with his firm faith to the end, that 

 '^Natural law is the human conception of continued and orderly Divine 

 action." 



It is a case of natural selection. But Dr. Gray was more to bota- 

 nists than a friend and leader. He was the "Beloved Gray" — the 

 object of their admiration and devotion on account of his goodness, his 

 high principle, his frank inde[)endence, his unfailing cordiality, and the 

 clearness of his intellectual vision, like that of a seer. He stands be- 

 fore the world as a lofty example of the Christian philosopher. 



Dr. Gray was married in 1848 to the daughter of the late eminent 

 lawyer of Boston, Charles G. Loring. His excellent and accomplished 

 wife, Avho survives him, was in full sympathy with him in all his pur- 

 suits and i)leasures, a bright, cheerful and heli)ful companion, at home 

 and in his travels abroad. 



In a letter to the writer in 188r», Gray says : 



- - - I have had a week in old Oneida, which still looks natural. 

 I am grinding away at the Flora, and. shall probably be found so doing 

 wlien 1 am called for. Very well : I liave a most comfortable and happy 

 old age. 



Wishing you the same, yours ever, 



A. Gray. 



November last, the niontli after his return from Europe, he put aside 

 his nearly completed revision of the " Vitacea', or Grai)e-vines of North 

 America," to write his last words about Darwin in the review of Dar- 

 win's Life and Letters, and to prepare his usual annual Necrology for 

 this Journal. The latter manuscript lay unfinished on his table when, 

 on the 27th^of the month, a paralytic stroke put an end to work, with 

 every prospect then that his name also would have to be added to the 



* It occupies 32 pages in the March number, vol. xxix, pp. 15:? to 184. 



