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356 HEPATIC^ OF LOUGHBBAY, CO. WICKLOW.
It was not until late in life that he joined the JUinnean Society,
of which he was elected Fellow on the 7th of May, 1885.
To sketch the life of James Backhouse, however briefly, without
mentioning his work in the development of the gardens at York
would be to ignore one of its chief features. The marvellous
imitation of an alpine glen in his private garden, with its miniature
lake and waterfall, crags and bogs, is a delight to the thousands
who visit it. His excellent knowledge of geology, and quick perception
of what was essential in the natural surroundings of the
various alpine plants made him a world-wide reputation as one of
their most successful cultivators. It is outside the scope of this
short paper to give any detailed account of the nurseries, covering
about a hundred acres, which have undergone such a wonderful
development of late years. There are some forty houses, mostly
large, and of modern design. The underground ferneries, with
their unparalleled collection of Hymenophyllams, Trichomanes, and
Todeas, charm all who see them. An excellent description of these
nurseries appeared only a few days before Mr. Backhouse's death
in an American paper, ' Garden and Forest,' for August 20th, 1890,
and is well worthy the perusal of all those interested in horticultural
subjects.
In politics Mr. Backhouse was a Liberal, and took special
interest in the causes of temperance and international peace. A
pamphlet from his pen, ' Is war lawful for the Christian?' has had
a considerable circulation. Though in failing health for many
years, his comparatively early death was greatly hastened by
striking his head through a fall on some ice near his own gate.
Whilst better at times, he never really recovered from this
accident, and for the last year and a half was unable to continue
his correspondence with the writer on his favourite plants. He
leaves a widow, a daughter, and a son, James Backhouse, who now
carries on the business, and has already made his mark as an
ornithologist.
The ' Yorkshire Daily Chronicle ' thus concludes a brief notice
written the day after his death :— " The city of York has lost a
citizen of accurate scientific knowledge, and a man of Christian
character, whose cultured mind, poetic and artistic tastes, combined
with remarkably simple and unassuming manners, had endeared
him to many who will long cherish his memory."
Frederick J. Hanbury.
HEPATICjE of LOUGHBKAY, CO. WICKLOW.
By David McArdle.
Loughbray is twelve miles south by west from Dublin on the
north-east side of Kippure Mountain. Although the name is
generally used in the singular number, there are two small lakes
called Upper and Lower ; the smaller or upper lake is at an elevation
of 1453 ft. above sea-level and 228 ft. higher than the lower