52 Linnean Society. [May 24, 



resided till the date of his death, which took place after an illness 

 of a few hours' duration, on the 25th June last, at the age of 61. 



Mr. William M'Nab, for many years Superintendent of the Royal 

 Botanic Garden at Edinburgh, and a most skilful and successful 

 horticulturist, was born in the year 1780, in the parish of Dailly in 

 Ayrshire, where his father was a small farmer. When quite a lad 

 he had a strong predilection for the occupation of a gardener, and 

 was accordingly apprenticed at the age of sixteen to the gardener of 

 Mr. Kennedy of Dunure, who after three years' service recommended 

 him to Mr. Walter Dickson, a well-known nurseryman at Edinburgh. 

 From thence he passed into the garden of the Earl of Haddington at 

 Tyningham in East Lothian ; and was subsequently admitted into 

 the Royal Garden at Kew, where his diligence and intelligence re- 

 commended him to the special notice of Mr. Alton, by whom he was 

 appointed Foreman. Here he also attracted the attention of Sir 

 Joseph Banks, who in 1810 recommended him to Dr. Rutherford, the 

 Professor of Botany in Edinburgh, and he became Superintendent 

 of the Edinburgh Botanic Garden, an office which he filled for nearly 

 forty years. Some years after his appointment, the removal of the 

 Botanic Garden to its present site was effected ; and the laying out 

 and planting of the new Garden, as well as the successful removal 

 of large and valuable specimens from the old to the new establish- 

 ment, afi'ord striking testimonials of his industry and skill. He was 

 the author of ' Hints on the Planting and General Treatment of 

 Hardy Evergreens in the Climate of Scotland,' Edinb. 8vo, 1831 ; 

 and of ' A Treatise on the Propagation, Cultivation and General 

 Treatment of Cape Heaths, in a Climate where they require Protec- 

 tion during the Winter Months,' Edinb. 8vo, 1832. In the latter 

 branch of cultivation he was indeed peculiarly successful, and his 

 directions for the management of that beautiful tribe of plants are 

 regarded as the most valuable practical suggestions that have yet 

 been off"ered. As an assistant to the Professors of Botany, both in 

 the garden and in the botanical excursions of the pupils, Mr. M'Nab 

 acquired universal respect and esteem. He died on the 1st of De- 

 cember last, and was succeeded in the Curatorship of the garden by 

 his son James, who inherits his father's skill as a gardener and de- 

 votion to botanical pursuits. 



The Secretary also announced that twelve Fellows and three 

 Associates had been elected since the last Anniversary. 



At the election which subsequently took place, the Lord Bishop 

 of Norwich was re-elected President ; William Yarrell, Esq., was 



