302 MEMOIR OF 
“they have taken more than two hundred of these 
walks together, sometimes extending them to ten, 
twelve, and even twenty miles, but always with a 
determination to return home the same evening.” 
An amusing instance of Hobson’s perseverance 
in procuring scarce specimens is related in con- 
nexion with his old companion Crowther. 
The latter having declared that he had seen an 
aquatic plant, which Hobson much wanted, grow- 
ing in Tatton mere, near Knutsford, it was 
agreed that they should take the first opportunity 
to go there and procure it. 
Hobson had great doubts as to their meeting 
with it, and when they came in sight of the lake, 
poor Crowther, whose accuracy was in question, 
had the mortification to find it so swollen with 
recent rains, that the plant was at least three 
feet under water. 
Hobson felt for Crowther’s disappointment, 
and set about botanizing in the adjoining fields, 
rather than complain of a fruitless journey. 
Whilst so engaged, he heard a plunge in the 
water, and, looking round, Crowther had disap- 
peared. In the greatest alarm, Hobson rushed 
