American Fisheries Society. 173 



established it so firmly, and made such wise and skillful pro- 

 vision for its growth and improvement that it has quickly out- 

 grown the generous limits of the home which he provided, and 

 must soon be cared for in a still more stately and commodious 

 building. 



One must know the history of the National Academy of Sci- 

 ences, to understand his part in the organization of this body of 

 eminent men to be the advisors of our government on those af- 

 fairs of state which call for the experience and technical knowl- 

 edge and judgment of scientific experts. 



No one who has not seen the work of the United States Fish 

 Commission, in all its details, upon land and sea; its work ol 

 exploration in our streams and lakes, and along our sea-coast, 

 and in the depths of ocean ; its success in protecting and preserv- 

 ing and increasing the aquatic supply of human food; the con- 

 tribution it has made to the peace of nations by protecting and 

 defending our fisheries from international complication; its 

 work of biological research in the laboratory and the museum — 

 no one who has not seen and studied and reflected upon all this 

 until he has come to understand it in all its interrelations with 

 economics, and biology, and education and statesmanship, and 

 intellectual development, can venture to speak of this, tlic 

 greatest of Prof. Baird's creations. 



Finally, no one who did not enjoy the life-long confidence 

 and friendship of Prof. Baird can take the liberty of telling of 

 the sweetness and gTand simplicity of his nature, of his quick and 

 lively sympathies, of the magnanimity and disinteredness and 

 directness of thought which were shown in his every word and 

 act. I knew him but little, and only near the end of his days, 

 and while I was able to perceive how much these qualities, which 

 so endeared him to all who knew him better, contributed to the 

 success of his great undertakings, I have no right to talk of him 

 from this personal standpoint. 



You are all as familiar with his great achievements as I am. 

 You know that he increased the efficiency of the Smithsonian 

 Institution for the diffusion of knowledge. You know (liat lie 

 conceived the plan for a Xational Museum, and put it into exe- 

 cution. You know that he was one of the founders of llic Xa- 

 tional Academv of Science, and that he was prominent in it'^ 



