28 
in small knots, without any concert of action, it was rather difficult 
to abandon the custom, and even after we had adopted this partial 
organization our meetings were not models of parliamentary 
formality. 
As the Club acquired new members and grew in importance, it 
was decided that we should become a regularly organized body 
under a charter, that we might enjoy the privilege of ‘“ sueing and 
being sued.” 
A charter was passed on April 21st, 1871, but was not adopted. 
It is an interesting illustration of the manner in which the lowest 
form of politics pervaded legislative action, that among the incor- 
porators of the Club there were introduced the names of two low 
“ Ring” politicians. The charter allowed the Club to hold property 
to the amount of $50,000 and there was just a shadow of a chance 
that at some time something could be made, and the names of two 
of “thering” were interpolated among those of gentlemen and 
botanists. Upon inquiring, it was found that it was the custom in 
granting charters to put in the name of some members of the ring 
that they might be on hand in case any thing should “ turn up.” | 
Of course the members of the Club could not be associated, even 
technically, with disreputable persons forced upon, them in this 
unfair manner, and they did not adopt the charter until the names 
of these objectionable individuals were removed, by an amendment 
ssed April 29th, 1872. The Charter was adopted by the Club 
anuary 7th, 1873, and a constitution on the 28th of the same month. 
Nothing remained for the full organization of the Club but to 
pass the necessary by-laws and elect the prescribed officers. Before 
the first election could be held, he whom we should have delighted 
to honor by chosing him as our president was taken from us. Our 
head, our beloved friend, Dr. John Torrey, passed from this life on 
the 10th of March last. f 
This simple statement suggests to each one of us a loss that I 
cannot adequately express. Yet I feel that at this time I should 
place upon the records of the association certain data which, though 
so familiar to us as to need no telling, should be preserved for 
those who will succeed us. For, Gentlemen, the Club took root 50 
gradually and its early growth was so healthy, that I feel it will have 
greater permanence than most associations of its kind ; and it would 
seem that the records of the Club is of all places the most fitting 
for an account of the botanical labors of him whose name we have 
chosen. 
John Torrey was born in this city on Aug. 15th,1796. His father, 
originally from New England, was a Captain in the Continental 
army and was among those who entered the city upon its evacva 
tion by the British forces, 
Of the boyhood of Dr. Torrey we know but little; he attended the 
public schools and was for a year at a school in Boston. Several 
times during the latter years of his life I requested him to write out 
bis reminiscences of his early days and his recollections of the early — 
botanists, The idea seemed to please him, but so averse washeto 
