30 HISTORY OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 
Possessed of the most extensive and accurate knowledge of 
botany, Mr. Mackay yet conducted himself with so much reserve 
in mixed company, that a stranger might long converse with him 
without discovering that he knew more of that science than 
other men. In talking of plants he always preferred the English 
names (where such existed,) except in conversing with known 
botanists. 
In the course of several little botanical excursions I had the 
happiness to make in company with him, I could not help 
remarking the uncommon acuteness of his eye, in detecting the 
minute cryptogamia. As he glanced around, oculzs emzsstiizs, he 
used to find the rarer little mosses and lichens in spots where his 
companions had observed nothing. 
The power of his memory in retaining with accuracy, and 
recalling with the most prompt facility, the generic and specific 
Linnean names of between 3000 and 4000 plants, always 
appeared wonderful to me. 
His studious habits and enthusiasm for botany did not tinge 
his social character, or produce any indifference for those little 
forms of politeness, which men absorbed in study and science 
are so apt to neglect. The urbanity and complacency of his 
manners were generally admired. His countenance habitually 
wore a smile ; his eye was piercing, but at the same time beamed 
with modesty. 
has collected—I do not know his situation with Mr. Dickson, but as a young 
man indefatigable, and an Enthusiast in pursuit of Plants, I am persuaded he 
will do credit to any employment procured him in that way. I have no 
connection with him, but was very much pleased with his knowledge of 
Indigenous Plants, when he passed several days here last season, and ranged 
through the extensive woods, along with me in this neighbourhood. I have 
prepared him for your directions, and am certain he will attend to them with 
exactness.”—Smith Corresp. Linn. Soc.: Brodie of Brodie to Sir Joh. 
Smith, 7th May 1795. 
s you do not say Mr. McKay has furnished you with the Specimens of 
the Eriocaulon wanted I have again wrote him to that purpose—McKay is 
a Worthy man and an excellent Botanist to whom I often apply—as I saw 
him in the list of the Members of the Linnean Society, I wished him to com- 
municate to It throw you my Discoveries in that Way—Your Good Inten- 
tions, by which I think myself much honoured, afford me the expectation of 
Pie able to do it in Future immediately Myself.” —Smith ee Linn. 
Soc.: Brodie of Brodie to Sir J. E. Smith, 18th June 1795.—1. B 
