312 SPENCER FULLERTON BAIRD 
in the South, ripened into warm feelings of attachment in consequence 
of a constant correspondence. I have never known anyone more 
earnest in striving after progress in knowledge of all kinds, nor indeed 
any one more successful in attaining the objects of his pursuit, con- 
sidering the highly unfavorable circumstances in which he has been 
placed by his isolation. I do not know for what position in the 
University you would nominate him: my acquaintance with him has 
been more immediately in the line of natural science, in many branches 
of this he excels; his strong point is botany, however, of which he is 
a most successful cultivator. His collections of the plants of Alabama, 
with notes upon their Natural History and peculiarities, which he 
has transmitted to this Institution, are worthy of the highest credit. 
In geology, too, he has made many interesting researches and obser- 
vations. Of this his paper on the geology of the Choctaw Bluffs is 
an instance. This was sent to me without any intention of publica- 
tion, but merely as one of the many interesting communications made 
from Alabama. It struck me as important, and on showing it to 
Prof. Hall at Cleveland, he strongly advised its being read before 
the American Association, which was accordingly done. Other de- 
partments of Natural Science, Zoology, etc. have also experienced 
his cultivating hands. As a chemist and analyst, too, his attainments 
are of a high order. 
Thus much I know of him; how far he will be able to fill the place 
of an astronomer or mathematician I cannot say. I have no doubt, 
however, that anything he felt willing to undertake he could credit- 
ably execute. A mind striving so earnestly to earn an honorable 
name among men of science, feeling so keenly the restrictions of 
limited means and secluded position and bursting so irresistibly 
through the restrictions, must sooner or later attain a position where 
he will reflect a lustre on all about him. 
Were I to permit selfish feelings to interfere, I would not take 
any steps tending to affect the residence in Alabama of Mr. Winchell. 
We are already under great obligations to him for interesting and 
I think valuable, collections from Eutaw, and hope to have more 
from Selma, where he has not been long enough to do much in the 
way of collections. 
Very truly yours, 
SPENCER F. Barron. 
