Cambridge, Mass., 
November 20, 1885. 
The self-appointed committee who undertook the collection of funds for a birthday token 
to Dr. Asa Gray, desire to report their action. 
Circulars were sent to all botanists whose addresses we could obtain in the very limited time 
at our command. Doubtless many were omitted who would have been glad to contribute. All 
such omissions must be ascribed to the absolute necessity for haste. 
By the 31st of October the number of replies received, and the amount contributed, seemed 
to indicate that about $300.00 would be in hand before the iSth of November. Accordingly 
Messrs. Bigelow, Kennard & Co. of Boston, were asked to prepare a design for a vase of solid 
silver, with appropriate floral decoration, whose cost should not exceed $300. The design was 
submitted on Nov. 3, and after consultation with as many as possible at Cambridge, was accepted 
with slight modifications. The vase with its pedestal was completed Tuesday night and presented 
without formality on Wednesday morning, the 18th inst. The cards which accompanied the sub¬ 
scriptions were placed on a silver tray and presented as the greetings of those who embodied their 
good will in the vase. 
A full description of the vase, with illustrations of both sides, will be published in the December 
number of the Botanical Gazette, a copy of which will be sent to you. The January number 
will contain a portrait and biographical sketch of Dr. Gray, together with some of the poems, 
congiatulatoiy addiesses, etc., which were sent on his birthday. Orders for this number (20c. 
per copy) should be sent early to John M. Coulter, Crawfordsville, Indiana. 
Receipts and expenditures have been as follows : 
By 180 cash subscriptions 
To printing, postage and envelopes 
To discount on Canadian money 
To car fare, six special trips 
To vase and card plate 
To printing, postage and envelopes 
$ 33 S - 
$ 338 - 
$ 6.95 
.04 
.60 
325.00 
5 - 4 1 
J. C. ARTHUR, 
C. R. BARNES, 
J. M. COULTER. 
