liv FLORA ORCADENSIS. 
JOHN SPENCE, Overabist, Hillside, Birsay, forms a 
valuable contribution to this flora. It is curious 
that the lists from Firth and Birsay, and the uses 
to which plants were put, were almost identical. 
These old, time-honoured customs in our islands give 
us a glimpse of the way by which the skill of the 
medical practitioner was usurped by quackery, and 
the best religious influences and the most inspiring 
teachings were often nullified by the grossest super- 
stitions. Every disease was supposed to have an 
antidote 
which only the quack knew or thought he knew. 

a sure remedy—in some plant or plants 
These applications of plant cures were often accom- 
panied by incantations and bewitchery of a type 
which showed that the intelligence of the people was 
at a low ebb. No doubt there was an undercurrent 
of truth in these remedies, for their medical saws, 
like their weather saws, were gained by experience 
and observation. To both my best thanks are due. 
Mr McKay sent me several rare plants in addition, 
and otherwise gave me valuable assistance. 
In addition to the above, I wish also to express 
my indebtedness to Mr and Mrs Scorr, Stenness; to 
Mr and Mrs Inkster, Holm; to Mr Omonpn, Kir- 
buster, Orphir; and Mr JOHN SPENCE, Overabist, 
Hillside, Birsay, for keeping me informed of rare 
plants found in their respective localities. My 
daughter, Mrs Crouston, M.A., and her husband, 
Mr Davip Criouston, M.A., B.Se. of the Agricultural 
Department, India, revised many of the proofs during 
a holiday at home, for which I beg to thank them. 
