192 THE LIFE AND WORK OF GEORGE DON. 
In the early period of his life, and as far back as his recollection 
can reach, the author of the Sllowine observations felt an irresis- 
tible, and almost instinctive attachment to the delightful objects of 
the vegetable kingdom. This ardent desire, for attaining a know- 
ledge of plants, encreased with his years. No motives of interest, 
or even the stimulus of emulation, but an invincible propensity 
to botanical study, induced him to abandon, in a great measure, 
the more ordinary paths of industry, and devote himself chiefly 
to his favourite pursuit. Even now, however agreeable in some 
respects the situation which he occupies may be to his wishes, it is 
by no means lucrative; he is nevertheless proud to acknowledge 
the kind and liberal notice of some of the most eminent naturalists 
in Britain, who have honoured him with their friendship and pro- 
tection’. At his outset in life, he formed the arduous (although to 
him pleasing,) resolution of visiting every corner of his native 
country, in search of its vegetable productions ; and for twenty-five 
years past, he has been in the practice of making several botanical 
excursions every year; particularly to the alpine districts of the 
Highlands, where he has spent many days and even nights with 
pleasure, among the lofty cliffs, far from any human habitation, 
animated by the attainment, or by the hope of botanical discoveries. 
These excursions he intends to repeat annually, to such extent 
as his circumstances may hereafter enable him to accomplish. 
Throughout the whole course of his professional investigations, 
the author considered the Gramina of Britain as favourite objects 
_of study, and worthy of his most persevering attention. He has 
had the satisfaction of examining nearly the whole of them in their 
native soils and situations; and he has moreover been fortunate 
enough to add several of them, as well as other plants, to the 
catalogue of the British Flora. Most of these have found a place 
in Dr. Smith’s Flora Britannica, and Sowerby’s English botany. 
Sect. I. 
On THE ADVANTAGES OF CULTIVATED HERBAGE, AND PARTICULARLY 
oF INDIGENOUS GRASSEs. 
In every soil and climate, the spontaneous productions of the 
earth are inadequate to the purposes of husbandry. Nature equally 
favours all her vegetable productions, whether fitted for the use of 
1 Among these he - the liberty to mention the names of James Brodie, Esq. 
M.P. Dr. Smith of Norwich ; Dawson Turner, Esq. of Yarmouth; Dr. Scott of 
Dublin, and Mr. Seecieon of Belfast, _ 
