36 
The trustees assure you that they fully reciprocate 
your expressions of personal esteem and of gratitude 
for the most amicable relations which have always ex- 
isted between them and you. ‘They earnestly hope 
that the rest and relief from responsibility to which 
you look forward will speedily result in your com- 
plete restoration to health and in fitness for increased 
usefulness and happiness, and to this end their good 
wishes will always follow you. 
We remain, dear Mr. Mendenhall, on behalf of the 
trustees and with high regard, faithfully yours, 
STEPHEN SALISBURY, 
DANIEL MERRIMAN, 
C. G. WASHBURN, 
Committee of Trustees. 
THOMAS A. WILLIAMS. 
We learn with much regret of the death of 
Professor Thomas A. Williams, assistant-chief 
of the Division of Agrostrology, U. S. De- 
partment of Agriculture, and a well known 
authority on botany and agriculture. He died 
at his home, near Washington, on December 
23d, at the early age of thirty-five years. The 
high esteem in which Professor Williams was 
held by his colleagues is expressed in the fol- 
lowing resolutions: 
It is with feelings of profound sorrow and regret 
that we, the employees of the Department of Agri- 
culture, learn that death has removed from among us 
our beloved companion and co-worker, Thomas A. 
Williams, a classmate and intimate associate of many 
of our number. His broad knowledge of scientific 
matters, his keen appreciation of nature, his kind 
and forbearing disposition has endeared hin: to all. 
He was known to his associates as an indefatigable 
worker and investigator. 
Resolved, That in the death of Professor Thomas A. 
Williams, science and agriculture have suffered a 
great loss, and we, his associates, a dear friend, whose 
self-forgetfulness in his kindly consideration for the 
feelinus of others, and uniform cheerfulness, often 
under conditions of severe physical suffering, revealed 
a lovable character of the highest Christian type. 
The loss to the Division of Agrostology is irreparable. 
In the performance of his official duties he had proved 
himself an excellent executive and an organizer of 
unusual merit and his relations with his associates 
in office were always such as to command the highest 
esteem and respect. He never shirked a duty, and 
however difficult the undertaking, the work per- 
formed by him was done most creditably. His loss 
will be felt most keenly by his associates in the di- 
SCIENCE. 
[N. S. Vou. XIII. No. 314. 
vision, and his memory will remain with them as one 
whose exemplary life and steadfastness of purpose 
they should strive to emulate. 
Resolved further, That we tender to his bereaved 
family our heartfelt sympathy in their great loss and 
invoke for them the blessing of the Heavenly Father, 
who alone can heal the broken heart and give lasting 
comfort. 
Resolved, That copies of these resolutions be sent 
to the family of the deceased and to the various daily 
and scientific journals. 
COMMITTEE ON RESOLUTIONS FOR THE 
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 
WASHINGTON BIOLOGISTS’ FIELD CLUB. 
WASHINGTON, D. C., December 27, 1900. 
Whereas, We have learned with sorrow and a sense 
of deep personal loss of the sudden death of our fellow- 
member, Thomas A. Williams. 
Resolved, That the Standing Committee of the 
Washington Biologists’ Field Club voices the feeling 
of every member in paying tribute to the memory of 
Mr. Williams, whose gentle and kindly disposition, 
charming good-fellowship and sterling qualities en- 
deared him to every one of us. We recall with 
pleasant remembrances his interest in the work of 
the Club and its social relationships, as well as the 
many delightful hours spent with him in the field. 
We extend our heartfelt sympathy to Mrs. Williams 
in this the hour of her great bereavement, which we 
hope may be lightened by the thought that he passed 
away in the same peaceful and tranquil spirit in 
which he had lived. 
Resolved, That a copy of this tribute be sent to the 
family of the deceased, and that it be published in 
The Plant World, of which he was an editor, and in 
SCIENCE. 
By direction Standing Committee, 
Washington Biologists’ Field Club, 
CHARLES LOUIS POLLARD, 
Chairman, 
THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF NATURALISTS. 
THE Society met at Johns Hopkins Univer- 
sity, Baltimore, on the 27th and 28th of Decem- 
ber. In addition to serving as a center for the 
important affiliated societies devoted to the 
natural sciences, the Society as usual had 
what may be regarded as two scientific sessions. 
The address of the president, Professor E. B. 
Wilson, printed above, was given at the 
annual banquet on Friday evening, and on 
Thursday afternoon a discussion, which will 
also be printed in this Journal, took place, its 
