14 Richmond, In Memoriam: Edgar A. M earns. [j^,_ 



blinding rain continued for days without a pause; two men were 

 lost for several days and later discovered in a half-famished state; 

 and all of the party were on short rations. These and other troubles 

 were incidents of the return trip. At length, however, the party 

 reached Subaan, Dec. 5, after an absence of forty days. The 

 zoological results of the trip were disappointing, since only by the 

 exercise of great effort could specimens be prepared, or saved from 

 later destruction by moisture. Furthermore, Dr. Mearns noted 

 that the mountain birds had descended to lower levels to escape 

 the rains, and flocks of them were observed passing up the moun- 

 tain side when the party was on its return to the coast. 



Late in 1907, Dr. Mearns returned from the Philippines, and 

 was ordered to Fort Totten, N. Y., where he remained nearly a 

 year. While at this station he indulged in a garden, and derived 

 much satisfaction from growing a variety of vegetables, and regis- 

 tering in his notebooks the results of his toil, indicating the treat- 

 ment, yield, and value of each kind planted. It was at Fort 

 Totten that he became aware of the presence of the disease that 

 finally brought his career to an end. 



In 1908, President Roosevelt planned an extensive hunting and 

 scientific expedition to Africa, and invited the Smithsonian Insti- 

 tution to participate, with the view of securing the best results in 

 the preservation of both large and small game. The proposition 

 was accepted, and Dr. Mearns was suggested for the position of 

 naturalist. He agreed to undertake the journey, and on Jan. 1, 

 1909, he was retired, with the rank of Lieut. -Col., but "assigned 

 to active duty with his consent," with orders to " report in person 

 to the President of the United States for duty." Concerning the 

 objects of the expedition President Roosevelt wrote him: "While 

 our collections will be mainly of mammals and birds, yet if we can 

 add reptiles and fresh-water fish, it will certainly be desirable. 

 While not making a special effort in the collection of insects and 

 plants, it will yet be desirable to do all that can conveniently be 

 done in these directions. 



"Dr. Walcott recommended you to me as being the best field 

 naturalist and collector in the United States; and as I already knew 

 well the admirable work you had done I was only too glad to assent 

 to the recommendation, and accordingly at his request detailed 



