PROCEEDINGS FOR 1922 IX 



He published other less known books and numerous reports in 

 his ceaselessly active life, the titles of which would make a lengthy 

 bibliography. He leaves, in an advanced stage of preparation, an 

 "Annotated List of the Flora of the Ottawa Region," an "Annotated 

 List of the Flora of Nova Scotia," and an "Annotated List of the 

 Flora of Vancouver Island," which, it is hoped, may soon be pub- 

 lished. 



The temperature of Vancouver Island appealed to him as a good 

 part of Canada in which to retire in case of superannuation, where 

 natural history collecting could be enjoyed nearly all the year round. 

 In his eighty-fîrst year, 1912, he finally decided to leave Ottawa for 

 his retiring home. The extra activity and excitement of the occasion 

 may have been responsible for the attack of paralysis which afifected 

 his right arm and leg. But he soon recuperated enough to allow 

 himself and wife to leave in April for the West, where he soon was 

 roaming the fields and fells and forests by day and reading by night. 

 He trained his left hand to write efifectively, for the other could not 

 be retrained; and for eight years more he enjoyed the wealth and 

 wonder of nature and the association of a friendly public press and 

 appreciative scientific friends. The Government, in view of his long, 

 active and prolific service, allowed him, in 1913, to retain his title, 

 position and connexion with the Department, an act which shows 

 Governments do not always neglect to recognize distinguished service. 



John Macoun was Canada's greatest exploring botanist. But 

 he was more than a botanist, as his works show. No Canadian 

 naturalist approached his taxonomic lore. The number of new species 

 discovered by him must be very great, for we find at least a score of 

 flowering plants, and a score of cryptogams named after him, as well 

 as at lease a half a dozen zoological species. 



He was a marvel of physical activity, a hospitable entertainer 

 in his home, and the life of any party in which he was entertained. 

 He was frankly outspoken ; but his logical opponent was disarmed 

 by his unfailing good humour and natural generosity. His tales 

 of travel and trail were always disclosing interesting features and 

 the economic resources of the country, while thrilling with incident 

 and abounding in humour. He was a revealer of Canada; but he 

 was also a conserver of the Greater Britain whose ultimate goal is to 

 show the world how to govern itself. 



In his Church, St. Andrews, Ottawa, he was a Presbyterian 

 elder. But to the people in general he was the enthusiastic explorer 

 of unknown Canada, a reveller in the delights of the living world of 



