^T. 75.] TO J. C. ARTHUR AND OTHERS. 777 



vember eighteenth, 1885 — Asa Gray — in token of 

 the universal esteem of American Botanists.' 



" The decoration of one side is Graya polygaloides, 

 surrounded by Aquilegia Canadensis, Centaurea Ame- 

 ricana, JefPersonia diphylla, Rudbeckia speciosa, and 

 Mitchella repens. On the other Shortia galacifolia, 

 Lilium Grayi, Aster BIgelovii, Solidago serotina, and 

 Epigsea repens. The lower part of the handles runs 

 into a cluster of Dionsea leaves, which clasps the body 

 of the vase, and their upper parts are covered with 

 Notholsena Grayi. Adlumia cirrhosa trails over the 

 whole background. The entire surface is oxidized, 

 which gives greater relief to the decorations." 



Greetings in the form of cards and letters, sent by 

 those who gave the vase, were placed on a silver salver 

 accompanying the gift, with the inscription, " Bearing 

 the greetings of one hundred and eighty botanists of 

 North America to Asa Gray on his seventy-fifth birth- 

 day, November 18th, 1885." 



Dr. Gray was exceedingly touched and delighted, 

 as well as overwhelmed with surprise. And the day, 

 with pleasant calls and congratulations from friends 

 and neighbors, gifts of flowers with warm and kindly 

 notes, was made a memorable one indeed. 



His response to the senders of the vase was printed 

 and sent to aU who. could be reached. 



Hbreabhtm of Hakvard University, 

 Cambridge, Mass., November 19, 1885. 



To J. C. Arthur, C. B. Barnes, J. M. Coulter, Committee, and to the 

 numerous Botanical Brotherhood represented by them : 



As I am quite unable to convey to you in words 

 any adequate idea of the gratification I received on 

 the morning of the 18th inst., from the wealth of con- 



