189S.] Cybelc Hibernica. 275 



David Moore, at that time engaged on Ordnance Survey work 

 in Antrim and Derry, and also Miss Hutcliins's important 

 work among the southern Algae. Now came a lull in the 

 publication of books on Irish botany, only broken by a useful 

 list of Cork plants by Dr. Thomas Power in Contribtdions 

 towards the FaitJia and Flora of Cork (1845). But things were 

 ripening for a very great advance. A. G. More, in the course 

 of frequent visits to Ireland, had become deeply interested in 

 the natural histor}^ of our country ; an interest deepened by 

 his ripening acquaintance with David Moore, who was now 

 curator of Glasnevin Botanic Garden. In England, H. C. 

 Watson had set a splendid example in his Cybele Britannica 

 as to how the flora of a country should be worked out. Early 

 in 1864 the fateful entry occurs in More's journals, "proposed 

 an Irish Flora to D. M." Dr. Moore warmly espoused the 

 suggestion. No time was lost in carrying out the scheme. 

 Both authors vigorously explored the more interesting and 

 less knowm parts of Ireland. The publication of Tate's Flo7'a 

 Bclfastiensh in 1863, and Dickie's Flora of Ulster in 1864, 

 supplied m.any northern localities ; F. J. Foot's researches on 

 the unique flora of Burren came in opportunely ; a host of 

 correspondents were pressed into the service ; and in August, 

 1866, Cybele Hibernica -^Q-S an accomplished fact. It is diflicult 

 for us to appreciate at the present day the enormous service 

 rendered to Irish botany by the production of this work. 

 The scattered and chaotic records of the Irish flora were 

 at once reduced to order ; and for the first time the botanist 

 could obtain a definite idea of the distribution of native 

 plants in the country. 



But botanical research did not pause with the publication 

 of Cybele. The possession of such a book was in itself the 

 strongest incentive to work in unexplored regions or among 

 unstudied plants. And, moreover, there was behind all the 

 powerful influence of More urging on the younger men whom 

 he knew so well how to reach and how to stimulate. While 

 Dr. Moore pressed forward his researches in Irish mosses and 

 liverworts, and More continued his rambles in the West, 

 H. C. Hart began the long series of explorations of the 

 mountain-ranges, islands, and rivers of this country which 



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