Cambridge, Mass., October 12 , 1883. 
. 
Dear Sir : 
The coming iSth day of November marks Dr. Asa 
Gray’s seventy-fifth birthday. It seems a fitting time for 
the botanists of North America to join in some token of their 
esteem and good wishes for one who lias done so much towards 
the study and classification of the flowering plants and the gen¬ 
eral advancement of the botany of this country. Many memorials 
have been presented to Dr. Gray but most of them have come 
from near and personal friends. The idea of this one originates 
with those further away. 
It is not decided what form this memorial will take, and we 
should be glad to receive any suggestions. The intrinsic value 
of it will, of course, be of least account in the eyes of the recipi¬ 
ent; its value will depend chiefly upon the number who unite in 
the offering. 
Will you join with other botanists in sending such a 
token to Dr. Gray? If so, send at once whatever you wish 
to contribute — 25c., 50c.. $1, $5, any sum you please—to 
Charles R. Barnes, 14 Buckingham St., Cambridge, Mass., 
who will return receipt if desired. Please also enclose your 
card with some sentiment suitable to the day inscribed thereon. 
This will accompany the gift. 
In order that this matter may not reach the public prints be 
kind enough to say nothing about it. 
The time is very short ; will you give this your immediate 
attention and make a reply of some kind ? 
Sincerely yours, 
J. C. Arthur, 
C. R. Barnes, 
J. M. Corn. ter 
