Section IV., 1897. [ 125 ] Trans. K.s.C. 



V. — John Gpldie, Bolanist. 

 By G. IJ. Hay, Ph.B., M.A. 

 (Read June 23rd, 18'J7.) 



It is not inai^propriate. in connection with the Cabot eelebi-ation. to 

 introduce the name of John G-oldie, botanist, who, 80 years ago, in June 

 1817, at the instance of Sir Wm. Hooker, left Leith and sliortly after 

 landed in Halifax to make investigations ot the flora of Canada and the 

 United States. His researches were rewarded by the discovery of many 

 new plants, but most of these unfortunately were lost in transportation to 

 Great Britain ; and his notes, containing sketches and descriptions of his 

 discoveries, were destroyed by fire at a later date. Sufficient, however, 

 has been handed down to show his great industry in botanical research, 

 and the importance of his discoveries. He had many of the character- 

 istics, too, of the discoverer. Of a hardy constitution, fearless disposition, 

 patient in his investigations, accurate in his judgments, and Avith a fond- 

 ness for his favourite science that no fatigue or discouragements could over- 

 come, he is not unworthj^ of a place among those brave spirits of the old 

 world who became the pioneers of research in Canada. 



It is to be regretted that the botanical journal in which Mr. Goldie 

 kept a record and descriptions of the plants discovered, was destroj-ed. 

 A diary of a journey through Upper Canada and some of the Northern 

 States in 1819 has been preserved, and was published this year (1897) in 

 Toronto. A list of the new and rare plants found b^^ Mr. Goldie during his 

 two years' explorations in America was published in the Edinburgh Phil- 

 oxophical Journal for April, 1822. This contains a brief account of his 

 journey with descriptions of new plants. To both of these the writer has 

 had access, and with additional information kindly furnished by Mr. 

 James Goldie, of Guelph, Ontario, son of the botanist, and himself 

 a botanist and horticulturist, he has obtained materials for this sketch. 

 which, meagre in regard to scientific information of his researches, may 

 be found to possess some interest to botanical and general students, inter- 

 woven as it is, to some extent, with the purpose that brings the society 

 together at this time and place. 



During his lifetime Mr. Goldie carried on an extensive correspond- 

 ence, particularl}' after he came to Canada to reside, with many prom- 

 inent botanists of the old world, and especially with his friend. Sir Wm. 

 Hooker. But no permanent record of the results of this correspondence 

 has been preserved, except such as has found its way into the published 

 writings of these botanists, to which ^ however, no access has been pos- 

 sible in the preparation of this memoir. 



Sec. IV., 1897. 7. 



