1862] IN MEMORIAM. 73 



impartial umpire on all such questions. He was also by nature 

 truthfully disposed, and by long practice he was trained to nicety 

 of description and accuracy of detail. It will be " long ere we 

 look on his like again," as a trustworthy painstaking historian 

 of Avhat he had observed in the numerous journeys he undertook 

 in the pursuit of his favourite science. 



One of the most amiable traits in this part of our late friend's 

 character was his affability and condescension to all who solicited 

 his help. His botanical creed and practice were founded on the 

 most cosmopolitan, catholic, and comprehensive principles. No- 

 body, whatever might be his social status or acquirements, ap- 

 plied in vain to Mr. Borrer. Every one who had or professed to 

 have a knowledge or only a simple love of the science of which 

 he was not only a promoter but an ornament, found in him a 

 willing listener aiid a zealous and efficient instructor or infor- 

 mant. Everybody who carried a vascnlum was welcome at 

 Henfield. The botanist needed no introduction; science, like 

 freemasonry, can dispense with the usual conventionalities, which 

 are necessary to prevent our treading on the kibes of one another, 

 but are sometimes troublesome impediments, disturbing or check- 

 ing the social intercourse of those engaged in kindred pursuits. 

 They were no hindrance to the freedom and frequency of inter- 

 course of communication with Mr. Borrer. 



Mr. Borrer's knowledge of British plants was extensive and 

 accurate, and, consequently, among the few botanists who still 

 devote their attention exclusively to our native species his au- 

 thority was supreme; but his merits were acknowledged by some 

 whose studies are not restricted within so narrow limits as tlie 

 four seas which bound the British Isles. 



The eminent director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Sir 

 W. J. Hooker, surely no mean judge, places him at the head " of 

 the most able botanists of our country." (See Preface to the third 

 edition of the ' British Flora,' p. x.) He further informs his read- 

 ers in the same preface that " the first of these gentlemen (Mr. 

 Borrer) has kindly undertaken a complete revision of the genera 

 Myosotis, Rosa, and Rubus." 



This eminent author, in many parts of his ' British Flora,' and 

 especially in the first part of the secpnd volume, that on Musci, 

 Lichenes, Alga, etc., bears ample testimony to Mr. Borrer's cele^ 

 brity as an acute observer and as a successful discoverer. 



N. S. VOL. VI. L 



