314 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
sent on to Washington; and, retaining one set for his own 
herbarium, he caused the rest to be distributed among the 
botanists to whom they would be most useful, — especially 
including two Swiss botanists who had contributed to send out 
Berlandier to Mexico as a collector, but from whom (appar- 
ently through Berlandier’s dishonesty) they had failed to re- 
ceive any adequate return. It is understood that Dr. Short’s 
rich herbarium — to which a lifetime of thoughtful attention 
and much expense were lovingly devoted — is now offered, by 
a wise bequest, to the custody of the Smithsonian Institution, 
under instructions that it shall be permanently well cared for 
and always open to be consulted by botanists. It will there 
form an excellent and conspicuous nucleus for a collection of 
American herbaria, such as our science needs, and the country 
ought to possess. 
The natural effects upon his scientific career of a fastidious 
taste, an unwarrantable diffidence, and a too retiring disposi- 
tion, were enhanced by a constitutional tendency to depression 
of spirits. But this never obscured the native kindness of his 
heart, nor the real though so quiet geniality of his disposi- 
tion, nor checked an unobtrusive and considerate benevolence. 
With an uncompromising sense of right and justice, and a 
keen hatred of everything mean and unworthy, he was never 
harsh or even cynical. Al] who knew him well, and also his 
more intimate correspondents who never enjoyed the privilege 
of a personal acquaintance, can testify to the nobility and 
Christian excellence of his character. An appreciative tri- 
bute to his memory from the pen of a former colleague will 
be found in the “ Louisville Journal,” issued a few days after 
Dr. Short’s lamented death. 
Two or three species of Kentucky plants commemorate the 
name of Dr. Short as their discoverer. Also a new genus 
Shortia, inhabiting the Alleghany Mountains, was dedicated 
by him to the present writer. But, alas! too like the botanist 
for whom it was named, it is so retiring in its habits that it is 
not known as it ought to be, but lives as yet unseen, except 
by a single botanist of a former generation, in some secluded 
recess of the Black Mountain of North Carolina. It will 
some day be found again and appreciated. 
