l22 transactions, natur.ivl history society of glasgow. 



Extracts from the Records of Glasgow University, 

 together with occasional explanatory notes. 



" If July, 1704.. — The Faculty enact that part of the great 

 yard, and of the yard behind the gardener's house, be improved 

 for amenity of the college and for improvement of students in 

 knowledge of botany." 



The minute of appointment of John Marshall as instructor in 

 botany, in 1704, runs thus: — "The Faculty having resolved to 

 prosecute their own act of July 4th anent the improvement of 

 some parts of their great yard for botany and a physic garden 

 do now think it necessary to name one who shall have the charge 

 and oversight thereof, and who may instruct the scholars who 

 shall apply to him for the study of botany, and being informed 

 that John Marshall, chirurgeon in Glasgow, is capable of 

 discharging that trust, and being specially recommended by the 

 Dean of Faculties letter, therefore the Faculty does nominate the 

 said John Marshall to the said employment." 



[Note. — This John Marshall was the son of Patrick Marshall, surgeon, 

 Kilsyth. He is believed to have studied in Paris about 1677, and he after- 

 wards became a member of the Faculty of Physicians and Surgeons of 

 Glasgow, and settled to surgical practice in the city. He began to teach 

 botany in 1704, and he probably enjoyed the grant made by Queen Anne 

 in 1708 to the "Professor of Botany." Tlie title "Professor" was more 

 loosely applied then than it is now, being often accorded to scholars 

 appointed to teach. It seems probable that Marshall continued to teach 

 botany till about the time of his death in 1719. After this botany did not 

 maintain its position as a subject with a separate teacher, but for about a 

 century it was conjoined with anatomy as a double chair. This is stated 

 in the Calendar to have been founded in 1718, but the name of Thomas 

 Brisbane, the first tenant of the chair, does not ajDpear in the sederunt of 

 any meeting till 1720. It is therefore probable that the double chair 

 originated after the death of Marshall. 



"4 Sept., 1704. — Faculty appoint John Marshall, surgeon in 

 Glasgow, to be keeper of Botanic Garden. He is to instruct the 

 students who apply to him for the study of botany, and to have 

 a salary of £20 a year, with suitable allowance for a gardener to 

 work under him." 



22 Sej)t., nOS. — Queen Anne granted £210 yearly from the 

 civil list of Scotland to provide salaries, or augmentation of 

 salaries, to Principal and Professors of Glasgow University, and 



