CHAPTER XXL 



BOTANICAL WANDERINGS IN THE SOUTH. 



FOR a great part of his life, as has been already told, 

 John went to the harvest in different parts of the country, 

 during the slack period of the year in weaving, to raise 

 his finances, improve his health, and see the country. To 

 these objects was added another after he was introduced 

 to scientific Botany in 1836 the study of the Flora of 

 Scotland. This he set himself systematically to conquer, 

 as far as opportunity allowed and a strong will impelled. 

 In pursuance of this scientific aim, he generally selected 

 a new district every year, spending all his leisure during 

 the harvest in gathering, deciphering, and pressing the 

 plants. When snow began to powder Benachie, he re- 

 turned home to Donside, with a happy burden of dried 

 specimens, to add to his rapidly increasing herbarium. 

 He also brought back with him some of the rarer and more 

 interesting living plants he found. These he used to place 

 in suitable spots near his house ; and the banks of the 

 Droichs-burn, where he last resided, are still crowded 

 with such pleasant mementoes of his many wanderings. 



During these visits to different regions, his main object 

 latterly was the pursuit of his favourite science, and this 

 wise and healthy practice he carried on year after year 



