ASA GRAY 231 



Professor Gray's published reply to this overwhelming tribute 

 was so characteristic in sentiment and in style that it must be 

 repeated. Addressing the American botanists he said: 



" As I am quite unable to convey to you in words any adequate 

 idea of the gratification I received, on the morning of the i8th. 

 inst., from the wealth of congratulations and expressions of es- 

 teem and affection which welcomed my 75th birthday, I can do 

 no more than to render to each and all my heartiest thanks. 

 Among fellow-botanists, more pleasantly connected than in any 

 other pursuit by mutual giving and receiving, some recognition 

 of a rather uncommon anniversary might naturally be expected. 

 But this full flood of benediction, from the whole length and 

 breadth of the land, whose flora is a common study and a com- 

 mon delight, was as unexpected as it is touching and memorable. 

 Equally so is the exquisite vase which accompanied the messages 

 of congratulation and is to commemorate them, and upon which 

 not a few of the flowers associated with my name or with my 

 special studies are so deftly wrought by art that one may almost 

 say * the art itself is nature/ . . ." 



A little more than two years after this notable anniversary, on 

 January 30, 1888, Asa Gray died, stricken with paralysis; and it 

 was the common voice of American botanists that they had lost 

 their leader and friend. 



ff 







