45 



served; the most precious of these are the wonderful forest of 

 hemlock spruce and the steep-banked gorge of the Bronx 

 River, where we meet on this occasion. This forest is the 

 most southern natural hemlock woods along the Atlantic 

 Coast, and was long ago characterized by the late William E. 

 Dodge as the most valuable natural possession of the city. 

 The geologist tells us that the river-gorge was cut through 

 the gneissic rocks which form its sides by the flow of the 

 river during and since the Great Ice Age. The location of, 

 this tablet in this highly instructive and beautiful natural 

 environment is a most appropriate one." 



Chancellor MacCracken then said that, while he was pres- 

 ident of the Society, he would now introduce the man who 

 did all the work and kept the Society in motion — Mr. Albert 

 E. Davis, chairman of the Council. 



Mr. Davis, addressing himself to " Mr. President, ladies 

 and gentlemen, boys and girls — and one dog" (alluding to 

 a dog in the arms of one of the boys), then read the fol- 

 lowing poem : 



BEWITCHING BRONX. 



A Tribute. 

 This April afternoon we dedicate 



On yonder rock a tablet to the men 

 Whose labors saved this park; and meditate 



On what it is and what it might have been. 



For all around outside its boundaries, 



On land fair nature moulded with such grace, 



And beautified with grass and stately trees, 

 Man's efforts now her handiwork efface. 



Great awkward boxes, built of brick and stone, 

 In rows on rows uprear their garish forms; 



While harnessed lightning speeds with roar and groan 

 Straight to this park — its very gateway storms. 



