Vol. 1V,No.10.] BUuLLetin oF THE ToRREY BoranicaL Cuus. [New York, Oct., 1873, 
54 § Elias Durand.—The death of Elias Durand deserves some 
notice at the hands of the Club, not only because he was an active 
promoter of our science, but because he was a long-time friend of 
Doctor Torrey. 
Mr. Durand was born in Mayence, France, June 25, 1794, and 
died on the 15th of August of the present year. He was, therefore, 
in the 80th year of his age. He served in the medical corps of the 
first Napoleon, and was present at many battles. He gathered his 
specimen of Menyanthes trifoliaia amid the roar of the bloody field 
of Leipsic, showing his strong botanical bent even then. At Hanau 
he was made prisoner. On the final overthrow of N apoleon he came 
to the United States, landing in New York in July, 1816. Settling 
first in Baltimore, where he married, ia 1825 he removed to Phila- 
delphia, a city which he made his home during the remainder of 
his life. He was by profession a pharmaceutist and chemist and, 
coming to this country when the science of pharmacy was in its 
infancy, at once took a high position to which his acquirements en- 
titled him. He was long one of the active members of the Phila- 
delphia College of Pharmacy, and fur many years was the leading 
Pharmaceutist of Philadelphia. His store on Chestnut Street was. 
the centre of attraction to the eminent physicians and men of 
Science of twenty or thirty years ago, where his genial bearing and 
Sympathy with scientific pursuits made all such visitors welcome. 
Mr. Durand was an active member of the Academy of Natural 
Sciences, and was for a long time at the head of its committee on 
botany. He retired from business, with a competence, many years 
ago, but did not give up his love for botany, as nearly every day 
found him at the herbarium of the Academy engaged in some use- 
ful work. 
The manner in which Mr. Durand’s attention was directed to the 
flora of this country is perhaps a bit of history worth recording. 
An eminent botanist thus relates it: “I give it as nearly as I can 
: recollect, it being now some thirty years since I heard it from his 
“own lips. : 
e When Mr. Durand left France for this country, American 
“plants were but little known and in great demand. Some one, 
“whose name I do not remember, but a gentleman of means, and 
“if I mistake not, of title, gave the young Durand funds with 
“ which to purchase for him a collection of North American Plants. 
“At that time Rafinesque was in the height of his erratic career, 
“and Durand arranged with him to furnish the required collection. 
“ After the bargain was made, Rafinesque, always poor, contrived 
Sto get his pay in advance. The time at which the collection was 
“to be delivered had expired, and the day upon which the vessel was 
“to sail was close at hand, and still the plants were not delivered. . 
“ At last, on the very day of the sailing of the vessel, Rafinesque 
appeared with his parcels of specimens. Durand had only time 
- dor & hasty inspection and found that the bundles consisted of 
“a lot of worthless rubbish. He was highly mortified at being 
“obliged to send to bis friend, who had already paid a liberal price, 
“such a poor return, and he determined to make amends by. form- 
