HIS BOTANICAL STUDIES IN OLD AGE. 323 



large number of his old favourites, now rampant and 

 disordered. 



In forming and tending this wild-flower garden, as in 

 other respects, John Duncan resembled that remarkable 

 man, Robert Dick, baker in Thurso, geologist and naturalist, 

 the tutor of Hugh Miller, and the instructor of Sir Roderick 

 Murchison in the geology of Caithness, by means of the 

 flour he was using. Dick used also to have, in a little 

 glen between Thurso and Reay, a kind of natural garden 

 of native plants, gathered during his many excursions over 

 the country, and watched over by him with great assiduity 

 also now all gone to ruin. 



John Duncan in his zeal may, by this habit of his, 

 disturb future botanists, who may find it difficult or im- 

 possible to account for the existence of certain plants by the 

 Don and the Leochel, so far from their usual or only stations. 

 This announcement of one of his innocent habits may 

 prevent future discomposure of the botanical mind on this 

 matter, and render unnecessary any ingenious theories of 

 the flora of Scotland and Aberdeenshire. 



In 1866, Charles Black sent John a portrait of Linnaeus, 

 presented to John by Mr. James Linn, now of the Geolo- 

 gical Survey of Scotland, who had heard of his character 

 and studies through his friend, and respected him greatly 

 though he never saw him. This portrait John prized much 

 as a gift, but more for its subject, speaking of it frequently 

 and showing it to friends and visitors. 



In 1871, at the annual show of the Alford Horticultural 

 Association, on the 24th of August, two prizes were offered 

 ty the Rev. Andrew Christie, an able botanist, then parish 

 schoolmaster of Alford, now minister of Kildrummie up 



