Biographical Notice of A. Jerdon, by Sir W. Elliot. 339 



years at Melrose, previous to the purchase of the villa of 

 Allerly, near Jedburgh, where, after a painful and lingering- 

 illness, borne with christian fortitude and resignation, he 

 died, on the 28th January, 1874. 



This simple record of an uneventful life would have called 

 for little remark, especially in the case of one so modest and 

 unpretending, but for his persistent and enthusiastic devo- 

 tion to the study of Nature. From his earliest years he 

 evinced a love of Natural History. His boyish tastes, en- 

 couraged by his father, were developed by the instructions 

 of Professors Graham and Jameson ; and as soon as he left 

 College he began to note the habits of birds and animals, and 

 to make himself acquainted with the plants and flowers of his 

 native glens. From 1843 to 1857, he used to communicate 

 the results of these observations from time to time in the 

 Zoologist; and, in like manner, to the Phytologist, from 

 1847 till that serial ceased to appear in 1863. 



In 1845, he joined the Club ; but having afterwards be- 

 come disconnected with it, he was re-admitted in 1862, and 

 in 1865 was chosen President for the ensuing year, attending 

 the meetings at Eglingham, Earlston, and Kelso, where he 

 delivered his closing address on the 27th September, 1866. 



The duties of his office necessarily kept him much at 

 home, but he seldom failed to utilize his annual holiday in 

 the cause of science. Some of the happiest occasions of his 

 life were those devoted to botanical excursions with friends 

 of congenial tastes. His health and strength improved as 

 he grew older, and he became one of the most active and 

 untiring explorers in these pedestrian excursions. I am 

 indebted to one of his most frequent companions on these 

 expeditions for the following graphic sketch : — " No one 

 enjoyed a short holiday in search of plants more than 

 he did ; whenever he could get away for a week from 

 business, his wish was always to get among the hills 

 and rocks where he could follow out his favorite study. 

 One of his favourite places was Killin, as it suited well as a 

 centre from which to ramble over the Braedalbane range. 

 Ben Lawers, of course, having the name of being the richest 

 and most productive mountain in Scotland, was often 

 visited ; and I believe scarcely a nook or cranny there has 

 escaped his keen eye. Craigchalliach was also a special 

 favorite of his : and I shall never forget the delight of my 

 friend on one occasion on discovering a moss (Leskea rufes- 



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