SPENCER FULLERTON BAIRD 523 



22 years of age. As a teacher he was indefatigable and 

 resourceful. He had nothing resembling the luxurious 

 laboratories of today, and it was often necessary for 

 him to manufacture his own apparatus. Whenever 

 he could, he took his classes for long rambles, botaniz- 

 ing, geologizing, and collecting the birds, mammals, 

 fishes, and reptiles of the neighborhood. However, 

 this professional period was short, lasting hardly five 

 years, new opportunities and duties calling Baird to 

 Washington. 



5. The Smithsonian Institution, in Washington, had The Smith- 

 been founded for the diffusion of knowledge. It took 

 its name from that of Smithson, an Englishman, who 

 had left a sum of money to the United States Govern- 

 ment for the establishment of such an institution. 

 Professor Henry, an eminent physicist, was in charge. 

 The funds were limited, and there was much discussion 

 as to how they should be spent. The terms of the 

 Smithson bequest were vague enough to allow much 

 latitude of choice, and advice was offered from all 

 quarters. It was quite plain to Henry that he could 

 not do all the things proposed, that he would dissipate 

 his funds and accomplish nothing of value. He there- 

 fore tried to restrict his activities as much as possible, 

 and especially sought to avoid duplicating what was 

 being done elsewhere. He did not wish to establish a 

 museum, knowing well the enormous cost, but he found 

 himself the custodian of certain collections belonging 

 to the government, for which no other place was avail- 

 able. He therefore asked for an assistant, to take care 

 of these materials and otherwise aid in the work of the 

 Smithsonian. When his request was granted, he at 

 once selected Baird, who entered upon his duties with- 

 out delay. 



