GENERAL MEETINGS. 
59 
and compassed the result in the means. Simple and unostentatious, 
he received with ready affability a visitor, even when most pre-occu- 
pied. What young naturalist ever applied to him for the resolution 
of a difficulty or uncertainty without receiving cordial attention and 
satisfactory enlightenment? 
Great as were his undoubted services in the original discovery of 
biologic truths, it may well be doubted whether his indirect influ¬ 
ence in the advancement of science was not still greater, by the 
assistance and encouragement given to others and by his numerous 
official occasions of directing the efforts of the aspiring into channels 
of novel exploration whenever the opportunities of land or naval 
expeditions presented themselves. 
Now that the first shock of bereavement at missing one who has 
occupied a prominent place in the public eye, as well as in our 
private regard, has somewhat subsided, we but the more clearly 
realize that in the lamented death of Spencer F. Baird the scientific 
world has lost an accomplished and illustrious naturalist, the insti¬ 
tutions over which he presided an energetic and judicious admin¬ 
istrator, and we, assembled here, an exalted associate, a faithful 
counsellor, an ever open-hearted friend. 
