APPRECIATIONS 445 
From Harrison Allen, M.D., to G. Brown Goode. 
PuHILaDELpPuia, Mar. 7, 1890. 
Dear Sir, 
My acquaintance with Professor Baird began 
in 1861. At that time I was studying medicine in Phila- 
delphia, and, since the study of the Natural Sciences was 
recommended, I was in the habit of frequenting the library 
of the Academy of Natural Sciences. One day while 
reading Griffith’s translation of Cuvier’s Régne Animal 
I was approached by a gentleman who asked me what I 
was reading. I chanced to be looking over the chapter 
which treated of the bats. In the course of the conversa- 
tion that ensued he advised me to go to the specimens 
rather than to content myself with reading about them. 
This was the first notice I had ever received from anyone 
and the advice made a deep impression on my mind. I 
afterward ascertained that the strange gentleman was 
Professor Baird. He was often in Philadelphia, being in 
constant communication with Mr. John Cassin, the orni- 
thologist, and I had many opportunities of meeting him. 
The training in habits of exact observation gained by 
studying zoology has been of great advantage to me in 
my profession, and I have always felt an indebtedness to 
Professor Baird for his advice and encouragement. 
During the period that I remained in the army as 
assistant surgeon, Professor Baird exerted his influence 
to obtain for me posts of duty which permitted me to 
pursue my studies in natural history. I remained for 
the most part from 1862 to 1865 in close association with 
him at the Smithsonian Institution. 
