Asa Gray : His Life and Work. 351 



Dr. Gray's correspondence with Darwin dates from 1855, 

 commencing with a request of Darwin for a list of Amer- 

 ican Alpine plants. From this time on their correspondence 

 continued, and their friendship was close and intimate 

 until Mr. Darwin's death, as is shown in "Darwin's Life 

 and Letters," and also in Dr. Gray's printed writings. 



In 1885, Dr. Gray's portrait was made in bronze by St. 

 Gaudens, and presented to Harvard University. But one 

 of the best pictures that has been left to us was taken 

 while he was on a botanical excursion in the Eocky 

 Mountains. It represents a group of botanists in camp on 

 Veta Pass, 9000 feet above the sea. Dr. Gray sits on the 

 ground beneath the trees, with uncovered head, holding 

 evidences of his work in a well-filled botanical press. Sir 

 Joseph Hooker is by his side, with freshly gathered plants 

 in his hand. Mrs. Gray is at the table dispensing tea to 

 Dr. Hayden, Dr. Lamborn, Stevenson, and other dis- 

 tinguished members of the party. It is a vivid, life-like 

 scene a picture cherished by many. 



But Asa Gray's memory will be perpetuated and cherished 

 without the aid of pictures, it is forever associated 

 with natural objects more enduring than the monumental 

 shaft. The loftiest peak of the Rocky Moimtains bears 

 his name, and many lowly plants in the vales com- 

 memorate it, breathing it anew in their annual resurrec- 

 tion. These will keep his memory fresh through the 

 ages to come. His work and deeds can never die. Our 

 own poet of Nature has said of Truth, " The eternal years 

 of God are hers." All the labors and all the thoughts of 

 Asa Gray were consecrated to the discovery and service of 

 the Truth and by this loving constancy of devotion they 

 are assured an immortality of beneficent influence. 



