THE BOTANISTS OF PHILADELPHIA. 161 



He was chosen Professor of Botany in the University of 

 Pennsylvania. Dr. S. D. Gross speaks of him as a remark- 

 able man, highly educated, learned in his profession, a 

 graceful lecturer, an able writer, and one of the most 

 accomplished botanists in America. Dr. Gross, during his 

 first summer in Philadelphia, attended Dr. Barton's botani- 

 cal class, and his botanical excursions along the banks 

 of the Schuylkill, visiting Bartram's conservatories, or 

 rambling about in the open field in search of specimens. 

 In these excursions Dr. Barton was always in his happiest 

 mood. He experienced as great delight in the discovery 

 of a new plant as Audubon did at the sight of an unde- 

 scribed bird. He was, in fact, a botanical enthusiast. 



He gave, for three years, instruction in materia medica 

 in the Jefferson Medical School, founded in 1825 by Dr. 

 McClellan, when he was ordered by the Navy Department 

 to New York, and became Chief of the Bureau of Medicine 

 and Surgery. In this position he was able to serve his 

 country with great advantage and saving to the Treasury, 

 but, unfortunately, with little increase in popularity to 

 himself. He introduced many reforms, corrected and 

 abolished many abuses, secured the warm commendations 

 and approval of the government, but the hearty ill-will and 

 bitter persecution of those whose interests or hopes were 

 disappointed by his fidelity. Unwilling to incur the storm 

 of persecution to which he was thus subjected, he resigned 

 his position as head of the Bureau, but held his post in the 

 navy until his decease, which took place in the City of 

 Philadelphia, February 29, 1856. 



He was buried at Laurel Hill Cemetery with military 

 honors. At the time of his death Dr. Barton had been for 



