1 70 Alexander Goodman More. [i864 



advanced in growth for examination ; but (to quote his 

 paper) " It attracted our notice by appearing above ground 

 at a singularly early date, in a locality where we knew 

 that Orchis mascula was the only early Orchis, and Orchis 

 mascula of course it could not be." 



However, before the mystery of the little orchid could 

 be unravelled, Mr. More left Castle Taylor to spend some 

 few weeks in Dublin, and while there he took a step 

 which greatly influenced his future life " proposed an 

 Irish Flora to D. M." Thus in his journal he records the 

 first projection of the " Cybele Hibernica," the joint work of 

 himself and Dr. David Moore of Glasnevin. The proposal 

 was not long in being determined on. " Here am I," he 

 writes to Mr. Newton, May i2th, " in Dublin, in a fair way 

 of becoming Hibernian. At least I have engaged myself 

 as partner in a new Irish Flora or Cybele, which we hope 

 may be published in about another year ; and the explora- 

 tions requisite to bring about this book will, I believe, 

 detain me on this side of St. George's Channel for the 

 present. I hope in about another week to start for the 

 west of Mayo, a very wild and interesting country, where 

 I shall keep a look-out for birds as well as plants. But I 

 believe it is not very rich in Ornithology. I have found 

 here several of your friends. Dr. Perceval Wright has 

 been especially kind, and it is to him that we are indebted 

 for the prospect of raising the needful s. d. towards the 

 publication of the Flora. Dr. Carte seems also to take 

 great interest in birds. ... I am glad to tell you that my 

 health is a great deal better this year, and I am looking 

 forward with great hope to having some results to show 

 for my trip into the far west. I am only waiting for some 

 botanical apparatus which I am expecting from the Isle of 

 Wight, and then too I shall be able to get at my papers 

 again, and must get out the first part of the Bird-Distribu- 

 tion." 



The curious orchid now came into flower, and " my 

 sister, following up the clue after I had left Castle Taylor, 

 collected and dried several specimens, remarking that the 

 little orchis was something she had never seen before." 

 He was not yet quite ready to start for Mayo, when he 



