ISABELLA GIFFORD. 88 



mosses, and frequently sent me them to name for her. She found 

 a few very rare ones at Minehead, such as Pottia WiUoni and 

 Zygodon Forsteri, the only other British localities for the latter 

 being, I believe, Epping Forest, and some wood near Hastings, 

 where Jenner found it. Subsequently I called on her at Minehead, 

 and she took me to a field where she said she had found it, but 

 could not tell the exact spot. I soon found it on the top of a 

 decayed post behind the gate as we entered. She was much pleased 



ciineifolia near by. 



Epipterygium (Br yam) Tozeri 

 scoverv of Ectocarims Holmes 



due to her. She found the plant on posts in the sea at Minehead, 

 and sent it to me as E. crinitus ; and it was only when I got a 

 piece of the genuine E. criiiitus many years after that I saw her 

 plant was not crinitus. Nitophyllum versicolor was a species that I 

 could only obtain for her. I never saw it growing myself, and for 

 some years no one else of my acquaintance could send me Grate- 

 loupia filicina. The form of the latter at Minehead is the plant 

 intermediate between G. filicina and G. diclwtoma. Miss Gifford 

 was an excellent correspondent, and had always some interesting 

 facts to communicate concerning specimens collected or sent by 

 herself. ' ■ 



Among her correspondents were Mr. H. Boswell, whom she 

 frequently consulted about Mosses, and Dr. G. W. Traill. In 1890, 

 Miss Gifford joined the Selborne Society. " I would have tried," 

 she wrote, " to get a branch established here, did my health 

 permit of it, but I must not undertake more duties than fall to my 

 share, and which I can only most inadequately perform." 



We are indebted to a cousin of Miss Gifford for many of 

 the foregoing facts, as well as for the following note : — " Her life 

 was singularly uneventful, so much so, that she would count as her 

 'field day 1 a long-ago scientific meeting at Dunster, where a 

 paper of hers was read, and her collection of the plants of West 

 Somerset exhibited. Rheumatism and neuralgia made her in her 

 later life almost a prisoner to the immediate neighbourhood of her 

 home ; but though not able to go far afield, her conservatory and 

 garden afforded her unfailing delight, while her large correspondence 

 kept her also happily employed. Major Gifford died in 1869, and 

 his widow and daughter lived on at Minehead, a very quiet life, but 

 a most refreshing one to come in contact with, because of its 

 unworldliness, and its large and genial sympathy. Influenza 

 attacked the household before Christmas, and mother and daughter 

 passed away within twenty-four hours of each other. They were 

 laid to rest on New Year's Eve in the beautiful churchyard of 

 Minehead, surrounded with hills and sky and sea ; a fitting resting 

 place for one who loved Nature so truly." 



The only portrait of Miss Gifford is one in crayon, taken many 



would not be suitable for reproduction. Mr. 

 ±±KjjLmv* ucouiuc, aer as of medium height, with fair hair and 

 complexion, and a delicate refined face. 



years 



?3 



