420 John Torrey. 
united), he not only opened his herbarium, but gave some lec- 
tures almost every year, and as a trustee of the college for many 
years he rendered faithful and important service. His large 
and truly invaluable herbarium, along with a choice botanical 
library, he several years ago made over to Columbia College, 
which charges itself with its safe preservation and mainten- 
ance, 
Dr. Torrey leaves three daughters, a son, who has been ap- 
pointed U. S. Assayer in his father’s place, and a grandson. 
This sketch of Dr. Torrey’s public life and works, which it is 
our main duty to exhibit, would fall short of its object if it did 
not convey, however briefly and incidentally, some just idea of 
what manner of man he was. That he was earnest, indefatig- 
able, and able, it is needless to say. His gifts as a teacher were 
largely proved and are widely known through a long genera- 
tion of pupils. As an investigator, he was characterized by a 
scrupulous accuracy, a remarkable fertility of mind, especially 
as shown in devising ways and means of research, and perhaps 
by some excess of caution. 
Other biographers will doubtless dwell upon the more per- 
sonal aspects and characteristics of our distinguished and la- 
mented associate. To them, indeed, may fittingly be left the 
full delineation and illustration of the traits of a singularly 
transparent, genial, delicate and conscientious, unselfish charac- 
ter, which beautified and fructified a most industrious and use- 
ful life, and won the affection of all who knew him. For one 
thing, they cannot fail to notice his thorough love of truth for 
its own sake, and his entire confidence that the legitimate Te 
sults of scientific inquiry would never be inimical to the Chris- 
tian religion, which he held with an untroubled faith, and 
illustrated, most naturally and unpretendingly, in all his life 
and conversation. In this, as well as in the simplicity of his 
character, he much resembled Faraday. 
Dr. Torrey was an honorary or corresponding member of a 
goodly number of the scientific societies of Europe, and we 
naturally connected with all prominent institutions of the kind 
in this country. He was chosen into the American Academy 
in the year 1841. He was one of the corporate members of the 
_ National Academy at Washington. He presided in his turn 
