ASA GRAY 227 



pressions to which I demur;" "I hope and almost believe that the 

 time will come when you will go further in believing a much larger 

 amount of modification of species than you did at first or do now." 



The contest involved a great principle, and Asa Gray should be 

 regarded as the great and successful champion in this country of 

 the freedom of scientific investigation from theological domination. 



In 1873, Gray retired from instruction, to give his undivided 

 attention to the preparation of the Synoptical Flora and the 

 monographic studies connected with it. His priceless herbarium 

 and library had been given to Harvard University on condition 

 that they be housed in a fire-proof building. This building, in the 

 Botanic Garden at Cambridge, connected with Dr. Gray's house, 

 his own study being the connecting link between the two, is full 

 of associations for American botanists. Those who consulted the 

 herbarium, and all who published were compelled to do this sooner 

 or later, will never forget the rapid steps that now and then issued 

 from the study and hastened into the adjoining library; the oc- 

 casional words of friendly greeting; the still more prized invitation 

 to the study; and the genial hospitality of the home that was open 

 to all who loved plants. 



After Cambridge became a receiving center for nearly all im- 

 portant collections of North American plants, it might be supposed 

 that Gray would be compelled to become exclusively a herbarium 

 botanist. The pressure of important work thrust upon him would 

 certainly seem to have justified it. But he began botany in the 

 "open," and he always returned to it at every opportunity. His 

 visits to the most interesting regions of the North American flora, 

 from the "pine barrens" of New Jersey and the mountains of 

 the South Atlantic states to the Rocky Mountains, were not only 

 the greatest delight to him, but memorable occasions to those 

 who were fortunate enough to accompany him. Like a boy at 

 home during a short vacation, he bubbled over with enthusiasm 

 and activity. The interesting plants were hailed with as keen a 

 pleasure as though they were new; perhaps with even greater 

 pleasure because they were old and prized friends. His light and 

 wiry body kept pace with his enthusiasm, and to be with him for 



