VISITS TO ABERDEEN FRIENDSHIP AND BOTANY. 381 



country over, from its excellent smoked haddocks. These 

 are prepared in all the villages along this wild coast, off 

 which the fish are caught by the brave and hardy fishermen. 

 The old botanist returned to his friend's house, delighted 

 and strengthened by all he had seen ; and he left the next 

 day, " much improved," as he said, by his pleasant visit. 



After John Taylor, his young Alford disciple, had 

 removed to Aberdeen John used regularly to visit him, to 

 encourage him in his studies and get details of his progress 

 and discoveries. The plants gathered by the young 

 botanist were always carefully examined, and their localities 

 noted, Duncan directing him to spots where he had found 

 certain species. When John heard of others new to himself, 

 he was sure to visit the place and return to his young 

 friend's room in the evening with a specimen. There he 

 was refreshed by needed rest and a cup of tea. Mr. 

 Taylor's employment then led him at intervals into the 

 north of England, where he gathered plants, returning to 

 Aberdeen, like John, with an interesting bundle of new 

 species. These were eagerly examined by the old man, 

 who got duplicates, while he was entertained by accounts 

 of the country and the people, which recalled his own 

 wanderings in the same regions. 



Amongst those whom John visited in Aberdeen was the 

 late Dr. Dickie, Professor of Botany, whose work on the 

 Aberdeen flora had been of such eminent service to him 

 and Charles Black. He first called upon him regarding 

 some plants, shortly after he began Botany, and was very 

 kindly received, and asked to return when he came to 

 town. John always did this if he had anything rare or 



