105 
classification of plants, and with the changes in their nomencla- 
ture. But the fact was to him only a trifling and temporary obstacle; 
and he was soon perfectly 'familiar with the leading principles of 
modern botanical classification. 
It was characteristic of Judge Clinton that in his most earnest 
labors there was no thought of self. His arduous and unremitting 
efforts in the establishment of a herbarium in Buffalo were wholly 
for the benefit of the Society of which he was the chief. He collected 
most abundantly, and his specimens, by exchange, went into many 
hands. Those which he received in return were add*ed to the collec- 
tion of the Society, until, at the time when he removed from Buffalo, it 
embraced, as is supposed, specimens of more than 20,000 species 
of plants. These had all been mounted, labeled, arranged and 
catalogued by his own hands. The collection thus illustrates not 
only the flora of his neighborhood, but, very largely, that of the 
world. 
How often his researches were rewarded by the discovery of 
plants not previously known or suspected in the vicinity of Buffalo, 
the later editions of Gray's Manual will bear w^itness. No name 
occurs more frequently than his as the authority that a certain plant 
occurs in some named locality. Yet, perhaps, after all, the abundance 
of species of the plants of Buffalo, as compared with those of other 
places, may prove to be due rather to the persistency and complete- 
ness of his explorations than to the fact that the vicinity of Buffalo 
is especially rich in species. 
His labors being confined almost entirely to the neighborhood of 
Buffalo, the plants new to science which were detected by him 
could not be great in number. Scirpus Clintonii^ Gray, AsJ>idium en's- 
taiuniy Swartz, var. Clinionianuni^ Eaton, and several fungi, described 
by Mr. Peck, perpetuate his name. 
Judge Clinton possessed, in a remarkable degree, the gift of elo- 
quence. Upon topics of a scientific character he was a frequent and 
delightful speaker. The public was always anxious to hear him. It 
is probable, however, that his contributions to the press will be longest 
remembered. His style was most agreeable. Many of the observa- 
tions which he made in his excursions were published in a series of 
papers printed in the Sunday Courier^ of Buffalo, entitled " Notes of 
a Botanist." Nothing, perhaps, more characteristic of the man ever 
emanated from his pen. They aimed at none of the startling attempts 
at hypothesis and generalization which have been not inaptly called 
the *' romance of science." He could present the truth with almost 
photographic fidelity, and yet, by the charm of a style of unusual 
beauty, he could make his matter as agreeable as a fairy tale. 
His removal to Albany, in i88r, was occasioned by his being 
called there to arrange for publication the papers of Gov. George 
Clinton, now the property of the State. He found this labor one of 
great pleasure. Yet he would at times indulge himself in a botanical 
excursion into the suburbs of the city. In one of these, which he 
undertook on the 7th of September, 1885, he visited the Rural Ceme- 
tery, where, wnthin a short time after he had passed through its gates, 
he was found dead Only a few minutes before, he had been seen 
