90 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 



of him, it may seem unnecessary to add anything tonching his private character and its 

 influence. Yet the subject is too interesting not to dwell upon, especially as there are 

 words of Dr. Asa Gray, not in print, concerning Dr. Greene, which should not be omitted 

 here. In referring to a brief notice written by himself of Dr. Greene, published in the 

 Proceedings of the American Acadeni}^ of Arts and Sciences, and in which remarks were 

 made upon liis well known generosity in placing the results of his observations and his 

 collections in the hands of those who could make the best use of them for the advance- 

 ment of science, he says that the notice given " does not make enough of the liberality, 

 the winsomeness and the very quiet generosity of Mr. Greene, which made itself felt in a 

 most spontaneous, unobtrusive way, as if it were something in the atmosphere, a delicate, 

 grateful, subtle aroma, rather than anything consciously put forth." Most fitting words 

 these will be judged by all who had the pleasure of personal intercourse with the subject 

 of them. 



Of Dr. Greene as a botanist it may be said that he stood deservedly high in the estima- 

 tion of those who knew him best in this relation. He collected extensively the plants 

 of our country, and studied them carefully, so that his knowledge of them was 

 thorough. Dr. Gray, in writing of him, states that after he ceased to collect, from failing 

 health, he still showed a real interest in his plants and from time to time " verbally gave 

 me critical, remarks such as would only be made by a keen and accurate observer." 



Of Dr. Greene's botanical work less can be said than might be expected concerning the 

 knowledge he possessed on the subject, and his desire that others should profit by his ac- 

 quirements. No doubt this was largely due to that want of fluency in expressing what he 

 knew either in writing or by speech, to which he himself feelingly alluded. Dr. Gray, who 

 knew more discriminately what he accomphshed in his favorite pursuit, said that his retir- 

 ing, contemplative, unambitious disposition rendered him averse to the toils, and wholly 

 indifferent to the fiime of authorship ; that his services to science were in his helpfulness to 

 others, by making botanical collections, and by forming a library of botanical works ; the 

 plants and the books being always at the disposal of those who needed them for scientific 

 research. 



The action of the Society upon the death of Dr. Greene is presented as follows : 



On the loth day of October, as before mentioned, the Rev. Mr. Waterston announced to 

 the Society the death of the First President of the Society, Dr. B. D. Greene. He spoke of 

 the high personal character and the attainments of the deceased, and of the great interest 

 he had ever felt in the welfare of the Society. Remarks were also made by the President, 

 Jeffi-ies Wyman, and by Professor Agassiz and Dr. Pickering, expressive of their great 

 respect for his memory. Upon motion made by Mr. Waterston, a committee was appointed 

 to take such action as seemed proper in view of the sad event, consisting of Dr. Gould, 

 Professor Rogers, Professor Agassiz and Mr. Waterston. 



At the next meeting of the Society, held Nov. 5th, Dr. Gould made a brief address, giv- 

 ing an account of Dr. Greene's participation in the formation of the Society and in the pro- 

 ceedings of its early days, after which Professor Rogers followed, dwelling more at length 

 upon some points of interest in the life and character of the deceased. '• It is not often," he 

 said, " that the possessor of a liberal fortune is found giving his heart and time to the labor 

 of scientific studies which, however ennobling and replete with the finest of enjoyments, 

 have as we know, nothing in sympathy with the luxurious ease and brilliant excitements of 

 what is called societv." 



