CHAP. xvi. WALKS WITH DICK. 255 



has heaps upon heaps of specimens, and appears to 

 thoroughly understand his subject. After two hours' 

 chat I left him to go to his bed, to which, if possible, 

 he retires at 9 P.M., to rise again between 3 and 4 A.M. 

 I have often been up and with him at that time, not 

 willing to lose time when I had an opportunity of enjoying 

 his society. His conversation was too precious to lose." 



During the ensuing summer, when the grasses and 

 plants were in bloom, the two took a long walk up the 

 Thurso river. Dick pointed out to his friend the habi- 

 tat of the Holy Grass (Hierochloe borealis), which he had 

 long known; and also what was then called Drum- 

 mond's Horsetail (Equisetumpratense). Dick also pointed 

 out the Baltic rush (Juncus balticus), which Mr. Peach 

 had never before seen. Mr. Peach says of this walk, 

 that "Dick's cheerful manner, his sparkling wit, and 

 frolicsome playfulness, added to the other beauties of 

 the excursion, made it a treat indeed." 



" My next visit to Thurso," says Mr. Peach, " occurred 

 in connection with a wreck, happily unattended with 

 loss of life. On this occasion, our first difference broke 

 out. The Old Eed Sandstone period was said to be one 

 of seaweeds and cartilaginous fish. That I felt to be 

 unstable, from specimens which I had picked up in my 

 spare minutes snatched from duty. We both defended 

 our views. He was strenuous in his defence of Hugh 

 Miller's and his own opinions, and although I felt a sad 

 heretic, I warnily, b,ut I hope modestly, suggested that 

 I might be right. Time has since proved that I was so, 

 and dear Dick set to working out the problem for him- 



