356 IIEPATIC.E OF LOUGHBRAY, CO. WICKLOW. 



It was not until late in life that be joined the Linnean Society, 

 of which he was elected Fellow on the 7th of May, 1885. 



To sketch the life of James Backhouse, however briefly, without 

 mentioning his work in the development of the gardens at York 

 would be to ignore one of its chief features. Tbe marvellous 

 imitation of an alpine glen in bis private garden, with its miniature 

 lake and waterfall, crags and bogs, is a delight to the thousands 

 who visit it. His excellent knowledge of geology, and quick per- 

 ception of what was essential in the natural surroundings of the 

 various alpine plants made him a world-wide reputation as one of 

 their most successful cultivators. It is outside the scope of this 

 short paper to give any detailed account of the nurseries, covering 

 about a hundred acres, which have undergone such a wonderful 

 development of late years. There are some forty houses, mostly 

 large, and of modern design. The underground ferneries, with 

 their unparalleled collection of Hymenophyllums, Trichomanes, and 

 Todeas, charm all who see them. An excellent description of these 

 nurseries appeared only a few days before Mr. Backhouse's death 

 in an American paper, ' Garden and Forest,' for August 20th, 1890, 

 and is well worthy the perusal of all those interested in horticultural 

 subjects. 



In politics Mr. Backhouse was a Liberal, and took special 

 interest in the causes of temperance and international peace. A 

 pamphlet from his pen, ' Is war lawful for the Christian?' has had 

 a considerable circulation. Though in failing health for many 

 years, his comparatively early death was greatly hastened by 

 striking his head through a fall on some ice near his own gate. 

 Whilst better at times, he never really recovered from this 

 accident, and for the last year and a half was unable to continue 

 his correspondence with the writer on his favourite plants. He 

 leaves a widow, a daughter, and a son, James Backhouse, wbo now 

 carries on the business, and has already made his mark as an 

 ornithologist. 



The ' Yorkshire Daily Chronicle ' thus concludes a brief notice 

 written the day after his death : — " The city of York has lost a 

 citizen of accurate scientific knowledge, and a man of Christian 

 character, whose cultured mind, poetic and artistic tastes, combined 

 with remarkably simple and unassuming manners, had endeared 

 him to many who will long cherish his memory." 



Frederick J. Hanbury. 



HEPATICM OF LOUGHBEAY, CO. WICKLOW. 

 By David McArdle. 



Loughbray is twelve miles south by west from Dublin on the 

 north-east side of Kippure Mountain. Although the name is 

 generally used in the singular number, there are two small lakes 

 called Upper and Lower ; the smaller or upper lake is at an eleva- 

 tion of 1453 ft. above sea-level and 228 ft. higher than the lower 



