662 ANNUAL REPORT SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 1917. 



and plants have been named in his honor, as well as three genera, the 

 latter constituting a rather unusual distinction. Mearnsia, a tree of 

 the myrtle family, is a native of the slopes of Mount Halcon, and 

 the same name has been conferred on a rare swift from the island of 

 Mindanao, while Mearnsella commemorates a genus of fishes from 

 the last-named locality. 



Doctor Mearns was a patron of the American Museum of Natural 

 History ; associate in Zoology of the National Museum ; correspondent 

 of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia ; fellow of the 

 American Ornithologists' Union ; member of the National Geographic 

 Societjr, of the Biological Society of Washington, of the Linnsean 

 Society of New York, and of various other societies. 



For one who had engaged in many difficult journeys, Doctor Mearns 

 was of rather frail build, not more than 5 feet 4 inches in height, 

 and probably never weighed much in excess of 140 pounds, but he was 

 blessed with a spirit of determination that enabled him to accom- 

 plish nearh T every task he undertook. Withal, he was modest and 

 unassuming in demeanor and seldom referred to his own exploits, 

 but was a good auditor and alwaj's interested in the experiences of 

 his friends. He avoided arguments and never indulged in criticism 

 of others; was fair and impartial in his appraisement of men. He 

 was always willing to seek advice and give weight to the opinions of 

 others. Serene and placid in disposition, cheerful and optimistic 

 in temperament, he was fond of the beautiful in nature and art, even 

 of poetry, yet philosophical and analytical and systematic by nature. 

 As a friend, he was sympathetic, generous, steadfast, and intensely 

 loyal. 



