BOYHOOD. 25 



the object of his highest ambition ; and his letters contain 

 many grateful acknowledgments of the advantages thus ac- 

 quired, through the appreciation and introduction of his kind 

 and honoured friend. 



Among the correspondence which at this time sprung up, was 

 that with Mrs. Griffiths of Torquay, so frequently mentioned in 

 his future letters, and with whom he formed a lasting and inti- 

 mate friendship. 



In the April of this year he went to Killarney, and on his 

 return he writes to Mr. Fennell : — " Our Viola lutea is curtisii. 

 I have no patience with such pseudo species. I have under- 

 taken to describe the Confervse for Dr. Hooker's " British 

 Flora," which he accepts with ' thankfulness !' Very funny ! but 

 I have not deceived him. I have told him that I never gathered 

 an alga till 1830, and have spoken of youth, inexperience, etc. 

 But I have got tired of these and such-like confessions, and 

 must submit to be an 'esteemed correspondent.' I send a 

 specimen of Turbo politus from Bantry, and also a new species 

 of Lymrnea (involuta), very distinct from any other, most like 

 L. glutinosa, but differing abundantly. I found a few of them 

 in a small lake near Oromaglaun Mountain, Killarney. I 

 thought I was gathering L. glutinosa, or probably should have 

 searched with more vigour. 'Tis a lovely little shell." 



Soon after he had returned from this solitary visit to 

 Killarney, his father was attacked with hemorrhage from the 

 lungs, and for some time required his close attention. He was 

 consequently obliged to relinquish a trip to which he had 

 eagerly been looking forward — " The delightful pleasure," he says 

 in a letter, " of exploring the Scotch mountains in company with 

 Dr. Hooker," by whom he had been invited to join the party. 



He however managed to work with his accustomed industry 

 at his new task. In May he writes to Mr. Fennell : — " I have 

 had a packet from Dr. Greville. All Algse, many rare. I rise 

 every morning at five, and work till breakfast, examining or 

 describing the Algae for the "British Flora." If I do five species 

 a day I think it good work. This may seem slow, but there is 

 much to be compared and corrected ! for I differ from Dr. Hooker 

 on many species. Oh, impudence ! oh, presumption ! I send two 

 specimens of Iridsea reniformis, a rare plant, now found for the 

 first time in Ireland."' 



