246 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY 



NOTES ON "THE FLORA OF DUMFRIESSHIRE," 

 BY MR. G. F. SCOTT-ELLIOT, F.L.S. 1 



By ARTHUR BENNETT, F.L.S. 



IN looking through the flora of a Scotch county (for which 

 one cannot but be thankful, and trust it may be the fore- 

 runner of many others) that by its geographical position on 

 the borders of England is of much interest (especially when 

 combined with Wigtown and Kirkcudbright), one cannot help 

 feeling that there were many queries that needed more 

 elucidation. In fact, while doubtless some new features 

 (improvements ?) are introduced, the matter seems hardly 

 treated with the present-date knowledge that is called for in 

 a county flora. 



The rather self-laudatory tone of the preface hardly 

 becomes the earnest worker ; and, though gauged by the 

 local stand-point it may pass muster, it must by the general 

 botanist be deprecated. We are not yet in a position to 

 assume the tone of a dictator as to our native plants. Much 

 yet remains to be done in working out their life-histories ; 

 while the extraordinary bias towards neglecting what tells 

 against their being indigenous, and the acceptance of any- 

 thing that tells for it, stands much in the way of a true 

 explanation of the distribution of our flora. These remarks 

 are not made in a carping spirit, but from the wish that we 

 should all try to emulate the example of Mr. H. C. Watson 

 in carefulness and exactness. 



I think that had the author of this flora sought it, more 

 help could have been obtained in clearing up some doubtful 

 points. In looking through the book, I have jotted down 

 some notes that may doubtless be open to criticism ; but 

 they are offered as a help to explanation of some of the 

 queries involved in its pages. 



First, as to the records of some of the older botanists. 

 How is it possible that the names now used could have been 

 so used by them ? We want the names added by which 

 they recorded them. As an historical matter this is of 



1 Dumfries : J. Maxwell & Sons, High Street, 1896. 



