31-4 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. All 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 clays 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. 



