REPORT ON THE HERBARIUM. 



By Mr G. F. Scott-Elliot, F.R.l3ot.Soc.,Edin. 



During tbe last year we l.ave to acknowleclg-e valualile dona- 

 tions both from friends at a distance and from our own members 

 and local correspondents ; amongst the former, Miss F. P. Thomp- 

 son of Settle, Yorkshire, has presented us with a collection which 

 is of the greatest importance. Members will find within it not 

 only many rare and interesting plants, particularly of the lime- 

 stones, not represented in our district, but also many specimens of 

 great classical and anti<iuarian value gatheied by Mr Tatham and 

 Mr Backhouse, the fathers of Yorkshire botany. Mr Arnold Lees' 

 " Botany of West Yorkshire," of which the Society possesses a 

 copy, shows how thoroughly the Misses Thompson and their 

 uncle and grandfather (the Messrs Tatham and Backhouse referred 

 to) have studied the district, and the result of their combined 

 labour is well worth the attention of our botanical members. 

 There are also in it many difficult and critical species, exg. 

 Hieracia, named by the best authority (Mr Backhouse), which 

 will be of the greatest use to us in our labours hereafter. 



The Rev. Mr Gunn, of Stichel, Kelso, has also sent us some 

 mosses, partly named by himself, and which Mr M'Andrew has 

 been kind enough to name in a complete manner. In addition to 

 this, Mr Gunn holds out the hope of allowmg us to obtain dupli- 

 cates of the willows and other plants of the late Mr Robertson's 

 collection at Kelso. This collection is unique in value, and it is to 

 be hoped that Ave shall be considered worthy of receiving it. 



From members of our own fold I have also received many 

 valuable donations, and the plants which I receive for naming 

 show a gratifying- tendency to increase in number and difficulty. 

 1 do not wish, however, to mention all the names of those who 

 have assisted the Society, partly because virtue is its own reward, 

 and partly because the season is not yet finished, and I do not 

 wish to except any of our botanists from the thanks which are 

 their due. It seems to me that our aim should be to have in 

 Dumfries a collection which will permit anyone interested in the 

 subject to name with absolute certainty any plant gathered in the 

 district. Hitherto it has seemed to me a disgrace to Scottish 



