HISTORY OF BOTANY. 5 



Teaching had also been carried on from an early date at the Mechanics' 

 Institute, or the Andersonian University, and other Institutions which have 

 been incorporated into the present Technical College. The most notable 

 teacher in these was Roger Kennedy, well known as the author of the 

 'Clydesdale Flora," of which a new edition was edited by one of his 

 successors, Prof. Thomas King. Kennedy lectured from 1849 till his death 

 in 1876. He was essentially an inspiring teacher, and much of the recent 

 excellent field work of the district has been carried out by his pupils and 

 successors. Its quality may be gauged by the lists contained in this volume, 

 There is at present a scheme for New Buildings on an extensive scale for the 

 Technical College, and doubtless suitable provision will be made in them for 

 Botanical purposes. 



Of local societies, the Natural History Society of Glasgow and the 

 Andersonian Society are the most active, both as regards meetings 

 and publications ; the lists in this volume, Zoological and Botanical, 

 are largely the work of their members. It is to be regretted that 

 the Biological section of the Philosophical Society is at present in abey- 

 ance ; if reorganised, it should serve the purpose of concentrating the 

 best Biological work of the district. But even without this, it is believed 

 that the output of Botanical work in Glasgow, whether in the field or in the 

 laboratory, will be found to be creditable by those who care to look into it. 

 It must be confessed that the palmy days of Botany in Glasgow were {hose 

 of Sir William Hooker. Nevertheless the material facilities are as great 

 now as ever they were ; intercommunication is easier ; the population is 

 more numerous, and more wealthy. There seems therefore no reason why a 

 high distinction in Botanical work should not be maintained in Glasgow at 

 the present day also. 



F. O. BOWER, F. R. S. 



