328 Alexander Goodman More. [isss 



1000 feet anywhere (potatoes, oats, etc.) a little lower than 

 Pteris ; but practically this limit would likely divide your 

 plants into two sets, those above, and those within the 

 line of cultivation. The limit of cultivation is most impor- 

 tant as regards climate, and can be ascertained in winter. 

 So I would urge you to s write, and get your friends to 

 write, to any likely quarters, and try to ascertain the 

 highest cultivated spots." 



Another correspondent was Mr. J. R. Sheridan, of 

 Achill, who sometimes consulted him about birds, &c.^ 

 and was always exhorted to do so as freely and frequently 

 as possible. "I am sure you must know, as well I do, 

 the disadvantages and difficulties under which country 

 observers are placed, from having no access to sufficient 

 books and specimens," he writes to Mr. Sheridan (May 

 2ist). "It is one of the first objects, and duties, of a 

 Museum like ours, to assist all who are interested in 

 Ncitural History, like yourself; and I therefore hope that 

 in future you and any friend of yours will not hesitate ta 

 communicate with me in any case where you find any 

 difficulties. And, you know that I am only too glad if I 

 can be of any use. The observations made on the habits 

 and life-history of any native species are too valuable to 

 be lost. Only, as a first step, we are bound to make sure 

 of the name and identification." 



" I am now," he says in the same letter, "preparing a. 

 list of Irish Fishes, and should be glad if you can tell me 

 anything. For instance, does the great Basking Shark 

 occur every year off Achill ? When ? And at what distance 

 from land ? Are they more numerous far off at sea ? Does 

 the Short Sunfish, such as we saw on the way to Inishkea,. 

 occur every year, or under what conditions ?" 



In June a delightful bit of ornithological gossip was 

 brought to him. In the neighbourhood of Powerscourt 

 Waterfall, a lady had found a Redstart's nest ! The news, 

 which seemed almost too good to be true, was first carried 

 to him by the Rev. C. Benson (author of " Our Irish Song- 

 birds "), in whose justly popular little volume is told the 

 sequel, how, accompanied by Dr. Benson, Mr. More 

 went on the following Saturday to Powerscourt to see 



