74 '■ IN MEMORIAM. 



be able once more to get out into the country that he loved, but 

 it was not to be. 



Early on the morning of the 16th he became suddenly worse, 

 had acute pain, and was almost collapsed. He obtained relief 

 from the remedies used, and had some hours' sound sleep, but 

 the weakness increased, there appeared to be no power to rally, 

 and at 6 p.m. on the next day he began to sink. Propped up 

 in bed, he retained his consciousness, and at 11 p.m. wished his 

 niece good-night for the last time, then, slowly and calmly 

 sinking, passed away without a sigh or a single struggle, in his 

 sister's presence, at 3.30 the next morning. On the following 

 Saturday his mortal remains were laid to rest in the little 

 churchyard by his brother-in-law, the Yicar of Middleton. 



And now to say the last words. Mr. Heeves was of a modest 

 and retiring disposition ; his voice was very rarely heard in 

 public, though there were very few subjects that came before 

 our meetings on which he could not have said something. He 

 had a good, all-round knowledge of matters connected with the 

 microscope, but, owing to his limited sight, he did not work 

 much with that instrument. He was, before all things, a 

 botanist — one of the old type of field botanists — and could at 

 once, almost invariably, give the name to any plant he might 

 meet with in his rambles, and nothing gave him greater 

 joleasure than to see them growing in their native habitats. 

 For over twelve years, and for some thousands of miles, I have 

 accompanied and collected with him, and it was indeed a rare 

 occurrence if he did not find the things he went in search of* 

 The most marked trait in his character was gentleness ; few 

 could have fewer enemies or more friends. His fellow members 

 will not readily forget his kindly features and his genial smile. 

 The place he has left vacant in our Club will remain vacant— 

 our friend will return no more. 



