6 Elliot, George Netvbold Lawrence. I Jan. 



room to meet a young ornithologist who was to show some facts 

 in the anatomy of birds, especially exhibiting the muscles that 

 move the wings. He then and there made the acquaintance of 

 Spencer F. Baird, than whom no naturalist that ever lived pos- 

 sessed to such a degree the power to imbue others with his own 

 enthusiasm, and to attract them to become devotees of the study 

 of Nature's Kingdom by the irresistible magnetism of his own 

 personality. The acquaintance thus formed soon ripened into an 

 intim.icy that never ceased nor slackened, but strengthened with 

 the rolling years, until, like so many of Lawrence's fellow-workers, 

 his guide and friend passed away from earth. 



This friendship with Baird brought forth almost immediate 

 results, and in 1842, when he was thirty-six years of age, appeared 

 Lawrence's first scientific paper, the pioneer of that long line of 

 publications which was destined to extend throughout the next 

 fifty years. It was devoted to a description of the Black Brant 

 (Bernida nigricans), and with a happier fate than falls to the efforts 

 of many budding ornithologists thirsting for immortality, this new 

 creation was pronounced very good. Once launched in scientific 

 work, every moment that could be snatched from mercantile 

 pursuits that claimed the major portion of the day was given 

 to the investigation of birds, and his contributions to different 

 periodicals devoted to natural science increased in frequency and 

 importance. Nearly at the same time with the advent of 

 Lawrence's first paper, appeared one from the pen of a new 

 writer, who was also to be associated with Lawrence in some of 

 his most important work, and who by his great attainments and 

 profound widespread knowledge in ornithological lore was to 

 exert a deep and powerful influence on the science, and cause the 

 name of John Cassin to be known and held in high repute 

 throughout the world. It is fitting that as this form in shadowy 

 lines moves across the vista of passed scenes, I should pay a 

 tribute to one who perhaps more than any other was my guide 

 and instructor in natural science, and who in certain lines of 

 scientific investigation stood without a peer amid those whose works 

 have dignified and rendered illustrious American ornithology. 

 Baird, Cassin, Lawrence, — these were the names that represented 

 for many years our science in the New World, the triumvirate 



