346 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



was continued year after j^ear with few breaks, down to the 

 close of 1866, when it terminated with a general Index to 

 Species. It is not for us to speak particularly of the merits 

 of this elaborate monograph, patiently prosecuted through 

 more than forty years. This and the monograph of Schwei- 

 nitz and Torrey laid the foundation and insured the popular- 

 ity of the study of Sedges in this country. But while the 

 latter systematic arrangement was published as a whole in 

 1825, Dr. Dewey's, carried on without particular order, ex- 

 tended through a lifetime, and represents both the earlier and 

 the later knowledge. What is needed to render these stores 

 of observation and their permanent results most available, is 

 a systematic digest or synopsis, something like that which the 

 author contributed to Wood's Botany, in the article Carex, 

 but with all the more important references. Hopes were 

 entertained that he might be able to crown his life's work 

 in this way. But at past fourscore and ten this could not 

 be expected. Beyond this favorite genus, Professor Dewey's 

 botanical writings were few ; the most considerable was his 

 " History of the Herbaceous Plants of Massachusetts," pub- 

 lished under the authority of the State, being the companion 

 volume to the better known " Report on the Trees and Shrubs," 

 by Mr. Emerson. Botany was one of the occupations of Pro- 

 fessor Dewey's leisure hours ; his long life was mainly de- 

 voted to education. Turning his attention to a special yet 

 almost inexhaustible subject, however, and laboring persever- 

 ingly and faithfully, although under many disadvantages, he 

 has permanently and honorably impressed his name upon the 

 science in which the Calif ornian Umbelliferous genus Deweya 

 records his services. He was an excellent, simple-hearted, 

 devout man, a fine specimen of the western New Englander 

 of the old school. 



The lovers of Carex, so numerous in this country, will 

 cherish the memory of these two venerable men, Sartwell and 

 Dewey, long associated in congenial pursuits, and gone to 

 their rest together. May the turf of the Sedges they loved, 

 and which cover or ought to cover the low mounds under 

 which their dust reposes, keep them perennially green, and 

 adorn them each returning spring with their sober blossoms ! 



