CHAPTER XVII. 



JOHN'S EARLY EXPERIENCES IN HIS OWN BOTANICAL 

 RAMBLES. 



JOHN DUNCAN resided at Netherton, in Tough, for thirteen 

 years in all, from 1836 to 1849, varied by visits to friends 

 at a distance and by harvesting in different districts. 



His botanical enthusiasm soon became too deep, and 

 his practical command of the subject too great, to require 

 the presence of his "father in Botany," as he gratefully 

 called his young teacher, who left the Vale temporarily 

 for some time and finally in 1842. His love for it had 

 already risen to the strength and permanence of a life-long 

 passion. 



He now set himself to complete his survey of the Vale 

 and its surrounding valleys and hills. Guided greatly by 

 Dickie's " Flora," he also began a systematic examination 

 of Aberdeenshire, commencing with the coast line, which he 

 explored from Belhelvie, north of Aberdeen, to Portlethen, 

 south of it ; going up the Dee by the Loch of Drum to 

 Tarland, and above it ; and conquering the valley of the 

 Don up to near its source at Corgarf Castle, from which 

 he obtained one of his earliest finds of sub- Alpine plants 

 unknown on the lower grounds, the Vaccinium oxycoccos or 



