53 
in the matter, personally appearing before the committee to explain the 
nature, value, and importance of the work, as well as the fact that the skill- 
ful engravings of the copper plates themselves were the work of the pro- 
fessor's own hand, and had involved most unremitting labor for a period 
of over twenty years. The committee showed little interest in the sub- 
ject, however, notwithstanding that the memorial was accompanied by 
another recommending the purchase of the work, and signed by the 
prominent entomologists of the country, among whom were the United 
States entomologist, professors of Yale, Harvard, and other colleges, 
and members of leading scientific societies. During the first session of 
the succeeding Congress the matter was again brought to the attention 
of the Committee on Agriculture, and a letter addressed to Professor 
Baird from the chief engraver of the Bureau of Engraving and Print- 
ing was submitted. In this letter it was stated that any skilled en- 
graver would charge $100 for each of these plates, and if they were 
engraved by a scientist they were worth more. Senator Davis, of West 
Virginia, chairman of the committee, suggested that the committee 
would recommend the purchase at a cost of $7,500 ; but the committee 
took no formal action. This was a great disappointment to Professor 
Glover, who was now anxious that the work should be purchased by 
the Government, even at a nominal valuation. At the next session the 
matter was brought to the attention of the House Committee on Agri- 
culture, and the sum of $7,500 for the purchaseof the work was included 
in the sundry civil appropriation bill, and finally passed both houses, 
Professor Riley using his influence towards its final passage. The 
money became available soon after, and was paid to Professor Glover 
early in April ensuing the 4th of March upon which Congress adjourned; 
but by this time he had become quite infirm. The result was very grati- 
fying to him, though he died in September following. 
No formal transfer of the plates was necessary after the purchase, as 
they were already in the custody of the National Museum, having been 
deposited there by the writer after consultation with Professor Baird 
at the time when Mr. Glover was first stricken and unable to act for 
himself. 
As to the value of his work, it gave Mr. Glover great pleasure while 
living to know that it was appreciated by the late Professor Agassiz 
and leading scientific men of his day. Speaking of the " collections of 
drawings," Professor Agassiz attests u their excellence and great im- 
portance, both in a scientific and economical point of view," and con- 
sidered " the publication of his observations, and of the delineations of 
insects injurious to vegetation as most desirable, and likely to be in 
the highest degree creditable to the United States Government." Dur- 
ing the savant's last visit to Washington, while calling upon Prof. John 
W. Hoyt to talk of the proposed national university, his opinion was 
asked as to the sort of work that Professor Glover was doing. Agassiz's 
reply was : "Magnificent! His services are extremely valuable, and 
