1869.] 247 [Brewer. 



States Exi^lormg Expedition under Lieut. Wilkes ; the Or- 

 nithology of the Japan Expedition; the Ornithology of 

 Gilliss's Astronomical Expedition to Chili ; and the portions 

 of the Ornithology of the Pacific Railroad Explorations and 

 Surveys relating to the Rapacious and the Wading Birds. 



His communications and all his contributions to science 

 are distinguished by their careful research, their thorough- 

 ness, and their unfailing accuracy — an accuracy that was ever 

 above rejjroach, and as it seems even beyond criticism. 



Nor was it alone as a closet naturalist that Mr. Cassin was 

 distinguished. He was also an ardent lover of nature, and a 

 close observer of living birds, both in their wild wood 

 haunts, and under the open sky. I am indebted to him for 

 much valuable information, derived from his obseiwations 

 upon the habits of various birds ; and it was to aid from 

 his unequalled knowledge that we have looked forward 

 for the correct classification of the collection of our So- 

 ciety. But alas, that once ever open volume, so abounding 

 in its wealth of knowledge, is now forever closed to us on 

 earth, and with his fleeting spirit has passed from us that 

 seemingly exhaustless treasury of science to which we never 

 appealed in vain. 



As a man, our departed friend was of unswerving upright- 

 ness, warm-hearted, cordial and sincere, firm and abiding in 

 his friendship, and only a foe to whatever was wrong, un- 

 generous or illiberal — possessed of strong, fervent and gen- 

 erous impulses, and frank and outspoken in the expression of 

 his opinions. Decided in his own views, he was still ever 

 tolerant and liberal towards those who differed from him. 



In a word, whether we regard Mr. Cassin as the naturalist, 

 whose scientific achievements had placed him in the front 

 ranks of the votaries of science ; as the man of business, and 

 the honored head of a house which Avas devoting all its 

 energies and the highest artistic skill to the illustration of 

 science ; or as the ever sympathizing and congenial friend, — 

 his death in the full prime and vigor of life, and in the very 



