555 



considered as the result of almost unaided individual exertion, may well 

 be called gigantic* The consciousness of power excited him to en- 

 lerprize, and on his return from the Continent, in 1824, he arranged 

 an expedition to explore a considerable portion of America. His 

 intention was to commence at Buenos Ayres, cross the great plains 

 to Mendoza and Chili, to explore the western side of the Cordilleras, 

 and the Lake of Titicaca ; thence to California, and to return by 

 Mexico, or by the Columbia river and Canada. For this he had 

 actually made arrangements, and it is to be regretted that he did not 

 execute it. He had every requisite for success among half civilized 

 or savage races : a noble and commanding person ; great stature, ' 

 strength, and dexterity in the use of arms ; good temper, courage, and 

 presence of mind : a combination of qualities, which Bruce only, of 

 modern travellers, possessed in the same degree, while he was far 

 behind him in practical science. 



" He was, however, induced to change part of his plan, and com- 

 mence with Mexico, engaging as medical attendant to the establish- 

 ment of the Real del Monte Mining Company for three years, during 

 which time he hoped to complete the Mexican Flora, and afterwards 

 to resume his original design.t 



" But in that unhappy country, there was found neither probity 

 nor peace. The English companies were regarded as legitimate ob- 

 jects of plunder, and several of those whom they employed retired in 

 sickness or despair from their posts. 



<« Under such circumstances he felt himself called to go beyond 

 his peculiar duty, and undertook the charge of one of the company's 

 principal mines, the Veta Grande, though such work was entirely new 



* His Herbarium (including the Mexican and Californian plants), contains 

 about 150,000 specimens. 



t " While in Mexico he collected, at a very great expense, plants of seventy 

 species and varieties of Cacti, and sent them to the late Provost, the Rev. Dr. 

 Lloyd, then Bursar, to be presented to the CoUege for their botanic garden. 

 He sent, at the same time, a similar collection to his friend, the late Professor 

 De Candolle, for the Geneva Botanic Garden. Many of them were then very 

 valuable, and unknown in European collections. One of them, a fine tall-grow- 

 ing species, has been named Cereus Coulteri, and may now be seen, as well as 

 other interesting species, in the College Botanic Garden. 



