01.05.2013 Views

pdf 31 MB - BSBI Archive

pdf 31 MB - BSBI Archive

pdf 31 MB - BSBI Archive

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

354 THE LATE JAMES BACKHOUSE.<br />

found in 1821; From 1843 to 18G5 the two Backhouses worked<br />

together. In the former year they discovered Highcup Scar,<br />

where Saxifraga nivalis L. was found ; and in the same year<br />

Veronicn trl/ihi/llos L. near Acomb, York, and Barharea stricta<br />

Andrz. on Thurne Moor. In 1845 they went to Scotland, and on<br />

the 24th of July first found Hieracium chrysanthum Backh. and<br />

Athyrituii flexile Syme in Glen Prosen. The summer of 1847 was<br />

devoted to Cumberland, where they discovered Saxifraga Hircitlus<br />

L. at Knock-ore-Gill, and Hieracium holosericeum Backh. on Glaramara.<br />

During a visit to the Spital of Glen Shee in 1848 they<br />

found ScKjina nivalis Fr. on Glas Mhiel, and Gnaphalium norvegicum<br />

Gunn., Gentiana nivalis L., Veronica saxatilis L., and Jiincus castaneus<br />

Sm. in Canlochen Glen. Here a crag adventure is alluded<br />

to, but no details are given. The summers of 1849 and 1850 were<br />

devoted to the Clova and Braemar districts ; it is unnecessary here<br />

to give a long list of the now well-known rarities that they found in<br />

these regions, except to quote the note, " Poa minor first ? " Norway<br />

was the subject of their explorations in 1851, where Mr. Backhouse<br />

painted a most remarkable picture showing the effects among the<br />

mountains of a total eclipse of the sun. The picture was completed<br />

from notes made on the spot, and is of great mterest. The spring<br />

of 1852 again found them in Teesdale, where on the 25th of May<br />

they discovered Myosotis alpcstris Schmidt for the first time in<br />

England. Their summer holiday was devoted to the exploration<br />

of Forfarshire and Aberdeenshire, and great Hieracium hunts<br />

in both the Clova and Cairngorm Mountains are especially alluded<br />

to. Among the more noteworthy plants mentioned a;re Cystopteris<br />

alpina Desv. var. Dickieana Milde, Poa loxa Haenke and P. stricta<br />

Lindb., Drosera anylica Huds., b. obovata M. & K., Arabls petraa rosea,<br />

and Lactuca ttlpina Bentham. In 1853, Gordale and Giggleswick<br />

Sears, near Settle, were explored, but no note is made as to what<br />

plants were found.<br />

Of a visit to Ireland in 1854 there are no particulars given<br />

beyond the record of their finding Hieracium iricum Fr. at Letterfrack.<br />

Cystopteris montana Bernh. was discovered in Canlochen<br />

Glen in 1855, and Ajuya pyramidalis L. was gathered in Sutherland<br />

in 1856. Saxlfraya Sternbergii Willd. was found in Cumberland in<br />

1857. Woodsia was collected on Craig Chaillach and the Killin<br />

Mountains in 1859, and reference is made to a "crag adventure<br />

with father and Thomas Westcombe." The Breadalbane Hills<br />

were again visited in 1861, when special mention is made of the<br />

occurrence of Cystopteris montana Bernh. on MaelG-hyrdy. Another<br />

exploration of Teesdale in the spring of 1862 revealed Viola<br />

arenarin DC. as a British plant, and the blue variety of Polyyala<br />

nmara Jacq. var. uUyinosa Fr. In 1868 Saxifraga ccespitosa L. was<br />

gathered on Twl Ddu, in North Wales, and a great hunt made for<br />

Trichnwdncs radicans Sw. Asplcnium. Uinceolatam Huds. was found<br />

at Portmadoc. James Backhouse, sen., made his last excursion to<br />

Wales in May, 1865, when IJoydia was gathered in flower on the<br />

crags of Ys Golion Duon, and " Cineraria nutritima" [Scnecio spathu-<br />

li/olius DC.) at Holyhead. In 1866, Teesdalia nudicauUs R. Br.,

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!