CARDOSO, Jose Joaquin (car-tho'-so), Mexican jurist, born in the City of Puebla, 19 March, 1802; died in Mexico, 6 February, 1878. He began his studies in Puebla, continued them at the Colegio de San ildefonso of Mexico, and was graduated as a lawyer in 1828. Having joined the advanced faction of the liberal party, he soon became noted and was one of President Gomez Farias's advisers. During Santa Anna's administration, a powerful secret society called " Los Polkos" was organized by the conservatives, and Cardoso at once founded an antagonistic lodge, "La Escocesa," with a selected membership. When the war with the United States began, he retired from public life, went to Puebla, and devoted himself entirely to his favorite study of botany. He made several scientific excursions to Popocatapetl and Orize, ba, and discovered, collected, and classified many plants. From 1851 till 1854 he taught Latin, until his political friends called him to the liberal convention preparing the plan of Ayutlta in 1854; and in 1857 they elected him deputy to the 1st congress. Although he was a faithful friend and supporter of President Juarez, and had great influence during his administration, he declined the portfolio of justice offered him many times, and also several high offices that were offered him by Maximilian. He had written and published several works, when the government in 1868 gave him charge of the San Agustin library (now the national library), containing thousands of books collected from the Mexican convents. He classified the books, made the catalogues, and completely organized the library. Cardoso also took great interest in art matters, and left a fine collection of paintings of the old masters. The most important of his works are "La herbolaria mejicana" ; "Virgilio bajo el punto de vista de la est6tica"; "Comentarios sobre la vida de Voltaire "; "Autobiografias mejicanas "" " Propercio y Juvenal"; "El metodo de Hum-' boldt" ; "Linneo el Joven" ; "CuLl fue la primera planta medicinal entre los antiguos"; "La Flora entre los Aztecas"; and "Estudios sobre el dere-cho primitivo."