330 JOHN DUNCAN, WEAVER AND BOTANIST. 



ditch. One of the youngsters, John Taylor, who afterwards 

 became a disciple of his, knew John, having previously 

 seen him at the same work, and relieved his companions 

 by telling them that it was only "the Droughsburn weaver." 



His quiet unpretending look made many think that his 

 knowledge was much less than it was. Four young 

 gardeners from the Barn Yards of Fyvie, who knew some- 

 thing of plants, determined to test the weaver on one 

 occasion. Coming to John with a large collection of 

 native flowers, they tried him first with the more common, 

 advanced to the rarer, and ended with several new to 

 themselves. John not only named them with ease, but 

 showed the way to discover those they did not know, and 

 gave their properties and habits. They told him of their 

 conspiracy, confessed themselves beaten, and complimented 

 him on his knowledge and practical skill. 



A friend of the Rev. Mr. Williams long refused to believe 

 in John's " jaw-breakers," and stoutly affirmed that he gave 

 plants " thae lang-nibbit names oot o' his ain heed ; " and 

 he was only a specimen of many more. John one day met 

 him when he was complaining of a pain in his interior 

 regions, and told him of the efficacy of the root of the 

 Tormentil (Potentilla tormentilld], which obtains its name 

 from its potent curative powers in certain " torments," or 

 pains. The man was induced to try John's prescription, 

 and experienced satisfactory results. When speaking on 

 the subject shortly afterwards to Mr. Williams, he remarked 

 that the grand name of the plant he could not vouch for, 

 his scepticism even then asserting itself; but as to its 

 effects, he could and would stand up for them, concluding 

 with the confession, " Man, John kens mair ner ye wu'd 



