171 
ALEXANDER GOODMAN MORE. 
Life and Letters | of | Alexander Goodman More | F.R.S.E 
F.L.S., M.R.I.A. | with | Selections from his Zoological and | Bothnia 
Writings | Edited by | C. B. uno B.A. | with a Preface by | 
Frances M. More | . ~~~ | Dublin | Hodges, Figgis, & Co, (Ltd.), 
104, Grafton Street | 1898 |[Bv0. ae pp. xii + 642 + frontispiece portrait 
and map]. 
As is not often the case, the value of this book is quite in 
Leeds), we cannot afford the space it deserves for examination 
of its very varied contents: the details of an interesting life 
passed in the pursuit of science data, with a selection from 
Mr. More’s many papers on Bird and Plant Distribution, Isle 
of Wight Natural History, etc. Ever a lover of truth, with 
a peculiar ‘flair’ for the scenting of the significant points in 
natural economics so often overlooked by more painstaking 
observers; there was, it follows, nothing of ‘ bisquain’ about 
the material More turned out from his taxidermal or herbarial— 
laboratories. |More, too, had a happy faculty for entering 
con amore’ into the difficulties of another in almost any one of 
many ‘lines.’ As with Kingsley, to be helping ‘the young 
idea to shoot’ straight was a passion with him, being a born 
systematist. The writer knew him by correspondence only, but 
that is the general impression Mr. Moffat’s biography conveys. 
As to the importance and value of More’s work there can be no 
dominies do—extinguished with the douche of caution: ‘ Wait 
a-bit—don’t set down your observations until we know more.’ 
As we are told at pp. 195, 361, with a philosophic ‘blarney,’ 
a cryptic flattery the wiser for being hidden, he would say to 
a young disciple, ‘Now, I think you have material for a nice 
paper—why not do it at once? Oh! don’t hesitate! Here are 
_ pens and paper! We can revise it afterwards,’ recognising that, 
to Make a Beginning, to Jot Down what you have seen before 
the impression fades, Place, Time, Date, is, with a truth-seeking 
naturalist likely to have his mind fuller every day he goes 
further into his study, ‘Ze ‘tip’ to success, if intelligence and 
aoe are sehcenai at all. The = is bulky, but is as 
Jane 1898. 
