72 IN MEMORIAM. [MttTCh, 



important duties of reasonable beings — to preserve the health of 

 the body and the peace and cheerfulness of the mind by tempe- 

 rance and exercise. If the amusements and operations of botanists 

 be less exciting and not so brilliant as those of some people, their 

 lives are healthier and happier than most. 



But whatever be the cause of this more enviable condition, it 

 is a fact that botanists for the most part die in a good old age 

 and generally leave behind them, as a legacy to posterity, an 

 honest report, a respectable reputation, " a good name better than 

 precious ointment/^ This is the true " odour of sanctity " which, 

 in primitive times was believed to emanate from the bodies of 

 the recently-departed saints. 



It would have been most satisfactory to have had a sketch of 

 the deceased's character from some of his relatives or from some 

 one of his numerous friends who had long enjoyed his friendship 

 and who were intimately acquainted with his habits, his intellec- 

 tual predilections, his moral sympathies, and his religious opin- 

 ions, his faith and his hopes. On these topics the writer of what 

 follows has no information to give, the following commemorative 

 token is offered as an act of duty to our readers, most of whom 

 knew Mr. Borrer, and as a small tribute of affection and piety 

 which is due to the memory of one of the oldest and most estim- 

 able of our scientific correspondents. 



The readers need not expect a genealogy of the late gentleman, 

 a subject unknown to us; and if it were, there is no room for it 

 in these pages. For equally good reasons, all anecdotes of Mr. 

 Borrer's childhood, of his education and the part he performed 

 in the great battle or drama of life, must be passed over in so- 

 lemn silence. 



The readers of this sincere though humble memorial were 

 familiar with the name of Mr. Borrer as an amateur botanist, as 

 a contributor to the ' Phytologist,' as a liberal donor of speci- 

 mens, and as a reliable authority for the genuineness of many 

 assigned localities of plants, and as a good judge of their claims 

 to rank as native productions. 



Some time must elapse ere any other equally influential botanist, 

 who is able to devote his time and labour to the investigation of 

 local botany, will be found to take his place ; for our late friend 

 had much experience, was singularly w^ell qualified by his long 

 habits of observation and by his clear judgment, for being an 



