When men like Agassiz, Darwin and Baird pass away there is little left for a monthly magazine to note; for in these days of newspapers and telegraphs the world's loss by their deaths is heralded at once to every household that appreciates the work which such men do. Yet it is but meet that a record should be made here of the departure of this distinguished man. Though not known among the lovers of horticulture, he did much, by his advancement of botany (his earliest love), ornithology, and the other kindred sciences, to make horticulture and the rural arts more intellectually enjoyable.

He was born at Reading, Pa., in 1823, and so early as his 23d year was made a professor in Dickinson College. He was made assistant to Prof. Henry in the Smithsonian Institution in 1850, and rendered valuable services in working up the scientific material for a number of the government exploring expeditions. In 1878 he succeeded Prof. Henry in charge of the Smithsonian. One of his strong points was his personal magnetism. In Congress it was usually enough that Prof. Baird wanted something, to ensure an appropriation. Men of all parties forget politics to help along such work as he thought proper to be done.