356 JOHN DUNCAN, WEAVER AND BOTANIST. 



study. I remember once, after speaking to him of Christ 

 as the ' True Vine ' and His culture of the branches (John 

 xv. i), how he warmed to the theme, and, ere I left, took me 

 to see his little plot of rare plants, a wonderful and mis- 

 cellaneous gathering from all parts. There he showed his 

 full acquaintance with the blossoms that smile on us in the 

 garden and on the wayside, and he gave abundant evidence 

 of his conquest over botanical terms, which showed him 

 to be an earnest student, ardently scientific while intelli- 

 gently devout. As a botanist, he showed unwearying 

 diligence in collecting facts and noting phenomena ; but he 

 did not search merely for cold, abstract, inexorable laws, 

 but owned the Rose of Sharon and the Lily of the Valley. 

 He grasped his Bible tightly while repeating along with 

 me the words 'All flesh is grass but the word of the 

 Lord endureth for ever.' His love of Botany as a specialist 

 was great, and every discovery bearing on it filled him 

 with delight." 



