15G NATURE AND WOODCRAFT. 



inaccuracies as superstition ; the only sys- 

 tematic arrangement of which was tlie alpha- 

 betical order of the plants. It was fortunate, 

 however, for all succeeding botanists that he 

 had made considerable progress in his studies 

 before coming to the provincial town before 

 mentioned ; for we see how deeply this know- 

 ledge impressed him; how accurately he describes 

 the habitats of rare plants ; and with what fond- 

 ness he dwells upon the floral treasures of his 

 native vale. 



It is a somewhat striking fact that many men 

 who have made themselves famous in the pur- 

 suit of natural science have been shoemakers. 

 Edwards is the latest example, and it is certain 

 that Wilson was one. An occupation which 

 affords ample leisure to the mind is one to 

 which the subject of this sketch would naturally 

 lean. Wilson's chief gain, however, in coming 

 to " Greytown " is contained in the fact that it 

 brought him within measurable distance of good 

 books ; and of the contents of these, with his 

 ready knowledge and native understanding, he 

 quickly made himself master. For a provincial 

 town, that to which Wilson removed stood 

 out prominently. It had within it several 



