117 



nibble ! Well, I shall catch no fish, certainly, but will be satisfied 

 with the beauties of vegetation, and the thoughts and incidents arising 

 therefrom. Motion and excitement may produce as good a return for 

 the trouble as any philosophy the statue-like angler can place in his 

 basket.* On this head Dr. Drumraond has well observed: — "I 

 should hold it (angling) at a very low level compared with the occu- 

 pations of the naturalist. That it has its undeniable pleasures, how- 

 ever, and that these arise in a great measure from the scenery in which 

 the brothers of the angle exercise their art, there can be no question ; 

 and from that consideration I have referred to this favourite and ab- 

 sorbing pursuit. But while the study of nature leads us, like the pas- 

 time of the angler, from the crowded haunts of men into the quiet 

 of the country, it has before it an unbounded sphere of thought and 

 contemplation, and this advaiitage besides, that it is the source not 

 merely of a temporary, but of the most permanent pleasure. When 

 a botanist at any time examines the contents of his herbarium, there 

 is scarcely a specimen there that does not recall to his memory the 

 period, place, and other circumstances connected with the gathering 

 of it; he lives over again, as it were, the time at which he discovered 

 this plant or that, and when winter comes he is led by the vivid im- 

 pressions of memory to recall the summer, enjoy its sunshine, breathe 

 the mountain air, wander in the gloom of woods and glens, and in 

 viewing his sea-plants, listen to old ocean's waves weltering on his 

 rugged shores. "t 



The first botanical explorers must have had a fine field before them, 

 and an unlimited range, not as now hedged in all directions, impeding 

 the wanderer's movements, except on a beaten path. One cannot but 



* T cannot help just giving here a specimen (from Hofland's ' British Angler's 

 Manual ') of the self-sufficiency of the angler, who really baits the hook of his conceit 

 somewhat too often, while the poor botanist is generally thought little of because he 

 has nothing for the pot, though in fact a " cat's-ear,'' a " coll's-foot," or a " fat hen,'' 

 to say nothing of" lady's tresses," often comes within the reach of his retentive grasp. 

 " The studious man, of whatever profession, although perfectly conscious of the neces- 

 sity of air and exercise to the preservation of health, has seldom sufficient resolution 

 to tear himself from his accustomed pursuits, without some powerful stimulus to 

 action ; and therefore any pleasurable recreation that may induce exercise, and lead 

 the sedentary to the enjoyments of a pure air, breathing over woods, meadows, and 

 waters, cannot fail to be beneficial. I am not acquainted with any amusement in 

 which this advantage can be enjoyed without considerable alloy, except the diversion 

 of angling !" Try a botanical excursion, Mr. Hofland ! 



f ' Observations on Natural Systems of Botany,' by James L. Drummond, M.D,, 

 a little work deserving of attentive perusal. 



