PROCEEDINGS. 287 



all else. As a necessary result he had au euormous capacity for work; but, 

 on account of the limitation of his tasks, it was work without adequate 

 recreation, and therefore exhausting. First, as a subordinjite worker in the 

 Smithsonian Institution; then as Assistant Secretary of the same, then as 

 Secretary; then in addition, as Director of the National Museum; then iu 

 addition to all, U. S. Fish Commissioner; in all these, although his capacity 

 for work was so great, he ever worked beyond his capacity. Is it any won- 

 der then that his powerful frame broke dowQ. It is simply impossible that 

 any one man can fill his place and carry on all his work. It will have to be 

 divided among at least three. But even thus divided, it is doubtful if it can 

 be bettor done. 



Of his scientific position it is hardly necessary to speak — it is so w ell known 

 There are few men whose loss will be so generally and so keenly felt. This 

 is partly the result of his position as Secretary of Smithsonian Institution, 

 and thus as chief agent of exchanges with scientific institutions all over 

 the world, but mainly to the great value of his strictly scientific work. His 

 chief works are his "Birds of North America" — his "Mammals of North 

 America" and his " Reptiles of North America." Of the first the distinguished 

 English ornithologist Sharpe says: "It is a renlly wonderful work," and 

 chieflj' through its influence, it has come to pass that " there is no country 

 where birds are so thoroughly and scientifically studied as in America." 



Such is the man whose death we deplore, and in view of our sad loss, I 

 offer, in behalf of the committee, the following preamble and resolutions: 



Wheekas, It has pleased an allwise Providence to remove from his earthly 

 field of labor our friend and fellow member, Spencer F. Baird; therefore 

 be it 



Resolved, That we recognize iu his death an incomparable loss to our sci- 

 ence and a personal bereavement to ourselves. 



Rcsolced, That the life-work of our brother in the field of Natural Science 

 forms a monument to his memory far more lasting and far more honorable 

 than can be made hj human hands. 



Resolved, That we deeply feel the affl'ctiou which has fallen upon his 

 family, and hereby offer our earnest sympathies. 



Resolved, That these resolutions be spread on the minutes of the Acad- 

 emy, and that a copy of them be sent to the widow of the deceased in token 

 of our respect and sympathj'. 



Dr. Hcwstoii made a short address eulogistic of the 

 deceased. 



