OF ARTS AND SCIENCES. 269 



by the bead of the Treasury Department to undertake the sobition of 

 dilHcult problems, especially those relating to counterfeiting, or to take 

 charge of some delicate or confidential commission, the utmost reliance 

 being placed upon his skill, wisdom, and probity. 



In two instances these commissions were made personally gratifying, 

 not by pecuniary payment, which, beyond his simple expenses, he did 

 not receive, but by the opportunity they afforded to recruit failing 

 health and to gather floral treasures. Eight years ago he was sent by 

 the Treasury Department to California by way of the Isthmus ; and last 

 summer he went again across the continent, and in both cases enjoyed 

 the rare pleasure of viewing in their native soil, and plucking with his 

 own hands, many a flower which he had himself named and described 

 from dried specimens in the herbarium, and in which he felt a kind of 

 paternal interest. Perhaps this interest culminated last summer, when 

 he stood on the flank of the lofty and beautiful snow-clad peak to which 

 a grateful former pupil and ardent explorer, ten years before, gave his 

 name, and gathered charming alpine plants which he had himself named 

 fifty years before, when the botany of the Colorado Rocky Mountains 

 was first opened. That age and fast-failing strength had not dimmed 

 his enjoyment, may be inferred from his remark when, on his return 

 from Florida the previous spring, with a grievous cough allayed, he 

 was rallied for having gone to seek Ponce de Leon's fountain of Youth. 

 " No," said he, " give me the fountain of Old Age. The longer I live, 

 the more I enjoy life." He evidently did so. K never robust, he was 

 rarely ill ; and his last sickness brought little suflfei'ing and no diminu- 

 tion of his characteristic cheerfulness. To him, indeed, never came 

 the " evil days " of which he could say, " I have no pleasure in them." 



Evincing in aije much of the ardor and all of the ingenuousness of 

 youth, he enjoyed the society of young men and students, and was help- 

 ful to them long after he ceased to teach, — if, indeed, he ever did cease. 

 For, as Emeritus Professor in Columbia College (with which his old 

 Medical School was united), he not only opened his herbarium, but 

 gave some lectures almost every year, and as a trustee of the college 

 for many years he rendered faithful and important service. His large 

 and truly invaluable herbarium, along with a choice botanical library, 

 he several years ago made over to Columbia College, which charges 

 itself with its safe preservation and maintenance. 



Dr. Torrey leaves three daughters, a son, who has been appointed 

 United States Assayer in his father's place, and a grandson. 



Tliis sketch of Dr. Torrey's public life and works, which it is our 

 main duty to exhibit, would fall short of its object if it did not convey, 



