274 THE OLD CHURCH. CHAP. xvn. 



botany as of geology. He found that Dick had almost 

 exhausted the plants of Caithness, and that he was en- 

 gaged in making up a complete Herbarium, principally 

 by exchanging plants with other botanical collectors. 



When the two geologists left Dick's shop, they went 

 to the flag yards over the river, for the purpose of obtain- 

 ing pieces of the Banniskirk flags for analysing. " We 



THTJRSO KIVEB : THE OLD CHURCH. 



got a boat," says Peach, " passed over the harbour, looked 

 at the Old Church, and felt much disgusted with the 

 Thurso people for leaving it roofless and allowing it to 

 go to decay." 



Before he left Thurso Sir Koderick addressed Dick 

 in the following letter : * 



" My dear Mr. Dick I cannot leave Thurso for the 

 Ultima Thule without thanking you sincerely for the 



* 31st July 1858. 



