1 86 Alexander Goodman More. [1865 



His correspondence with Mr. Stewart lasted over the 

 whole thirty years of Mr. More's residence in Ireland. For 

 the present, however, only one other letter will be quoted : 



GLASNEVIN, 



A ugust 2qth, 1866. 



MY DEAR SIR, I have only just returned from North Wales, where 

 I have been spending the last six weeks, so that I trust you will pardon 

 my delay in replying to your letter. Your discovery of Acorus calamus 

 is one of the highest interest. It is hard to form an opinion as to 

 whether it should be reckoned native or not. But at all events I see 

 that Watson enters it as native in his Subprovince 21, which includes 

 Lancashire and Cheshire. The Scottish localities are, however, sus- 

 pected by nearly, if not quite, all our best authorities. I should certainly 

 be inclined to think that the Hottonia must have been planted where 

 you have discovered it. So near to Belfast it could hardly have escaped 

 notice. . . . , If you have any doubt remaining about your Carex bux- 

 baumii, we shall be very happy to compare it with the original speci- 

 mens ; but I should think you could hardly mistake it, as it is a very 

 distinct plant. It would be well to know whether it still continues to 

 grow on Harbour Island, as I think I have heard that since the water of 

 Lough Neagh has been lowered, the island has become much drier. 



I hope that you have received our book ere this, and that you like the 

 way in which it has been brought out. There must, no doubt, be many 

 omissions in a first edition, but I hope that our various contributors will 

 help to fill in the blanks. Please be so kind as to send any additional 

 localities you may find for the scarcer species, as we hope to publish a 

 supplement presently. As a rule we should be glad of any new stations 

 for all plants whose special localities are given or, at all events for any 

 new stations when only one or two are given in the district ; or, if you 

 find a plant in any new county. Helminthia echioides is a fine addition 

 indeed to your northern list. Pray accept my very best thanks for your 

 numerous and most valuable contributions to our book, and for the 

 great kindness with which you have so often investigated and cleared 

 up many doubtful points. I trust we shall continue correspondents ; 

 and if I can at any time give you the least help I hope you will not 

 hesitate to write. 



The mutual esteem of the two botanists never altered. 

 " Mr. More was my kindest friend," Mr. Stewart wrote 

 long afterwards (August, 1897); "our correspondence com- 

 menced as soon as I began to take an interest in Irish 

 botany, and in helping me forward he did not consider any 

 pains too great." 



