320 Alexander Goodman More. [i884 



Professor Harvey speaks of it in one of his published letters 

 from Miltown-Malbay, dated September 5th, 1861 : "At 

 the spring tides we have the excitement of looking for a 

 beautiful blue shell called lanthina, which floats on the 

 surface no doubt from thousands of miles distant, coming to 

 us with the waters of the Gulf Stream." It was now about 

 the time of a spring tide (the moon had been full on the 5th), 

 and the brother and sister walked the length of the strand, 

 keeping a vigilant outlook for lanthina. Not a sign of it, 

 though Velella and other good shells were gathered in 

 plenty. At last it was time to turn. A long line of wave 

 was rolling towards the shore, a great breaker burst, and 

 receded, and in the space left bare a beautiful blue object 

 glimmered on their sight, a large shell of lanthina, with 

 the animal alive. His delight was great. " I daresay if 

 we look out well we may find another now," he said. It was 

 not one other, but many others. Each great wave as it 

 broke on the strand flung lanthina at their feet. A real 

 harvest was gathered, the shells being all remarkably large 

 and perfect; and though the animals died before reaching 

 Dublin, and the dislodgement of their remains was no easy 

 nor savory task, the splendid shells were worth it, and 

 remain to tell the tale. They seem a parting gift from the 

 ocean, thrown to him the last moment he stood by its shore. 

 His love for that western coast is shown by the con- 

 stancy with which he so often resought it, while health and 

 strength allowed. The Gannet, taking its great " daily 

 fishing excursion " from the rocks of south Kerry to the 

 northernmost point of Mayo, sees few spots along the sea- 

 board which A. G. More's eye has not also at some time 

 surveyed. One of his letters, written a few days prior to 

 this last visit to the west, is addressed to Mr. J. H. Gurney, 

 the well-known ornithologist and " Ibisite," who, in kindly 

 forwarding it for the purposes of the present memoir, says : 

 " The enclosed letter, which I will ask you to let me have 

 back again, is characteristic of the courteous considerateness 

 always shown by the late Mr. More to his brother natura- 

 lists." It is in answer to some inquiries regarding birds of 

 the west coast, and must have recalled to the mind of the 

 writer many of his happiest early tours. 



