JOHN E. Lr CONTE. 305 
the years between 1828 and 1840, when Major Le Conte, from 
a combination of malarial disease and rheumatism contracted 
upon military service in the South, was often confined to his 
bed for weeks, his pain and weakness did not prevent his 
receiving Prof. Torrey, who might have been seen again and 
again seated by the bedside of his friend, who, supported by 
pillows, diseoursed upon the history and the systematic rela- 
tions of the freshly gathered plants whieh were spread out 
before him on the bed. 
Dr.:Torrey’s great merits as a young naturalist had received 
their first publie recognition at Major Le Conte's instance ; 
for he, as an esteemed officer in the U.S. Army and a par- 
ticular friend cf Mr. Calhoun, easily procured for his “ young 
botanist " that appointment of Professor of Chemistry, Miner- 
alogy and Chemistry in the U. S. Military Academy at West 
Point, which Dr. Torrey held for three years; and was then 
elected to the Chair at Columbia College, which he occupied 
thereafter to the end of his life. 
Mr. Sharswood's Necrology appears to have been privately 
printed, and, being now a somewhat rare document, and at 
the same time the only at all worthy notice I have read of 
this eminent subject, I shall quote from it the following 
paragraphs, concerning his college career and subsequent 
military life : : 
* After having received a preparatory education, he entered 
Columbia College, in the city of New York, and when having 
nearly completed the usual four years’ course, was overtaken 
by severe illness, which obliged him to leave before the 
period of graduation. His diploma was afterwards tendered 
him. 
“He was enrolled as Assistant Topographical Engineer 
(with rank of Captain) in the army of the United States, on 
April 18th, 1818; ten years later, April 18th, 1828, as Brevet 
Major, for distinguished services ; and on August 20th, 1831, 
resigned his commission. 
* During the second war with Great Britain, he placed the 
city of Savannah under defense from the anticipated ingress 
