Transactions. 3 
be one of the best in Great Britain. But while we admire the 
enthusiasm of youth, we do not forget our old colleague, Mr 
M‘Andrew, whose work in the botanical field would do honour to 
any man in the country. Weare still favoured with valuable 
contributions from him, shewing that his energy in observation 
is quite as vigorous now as ever it has been. His valuable 
botanical lists are now being printed in our Transactions, and he 
is sending in fresh ones still. Mr Scott-Elliot’s classes for botany 
held during the summer deserve honourable mention in this 
report. This gentleman’s efforts are worthy of all praise, and it 
is an honour to our Society to possess two such thorough botanists 
as Messrs M‘Andrew and Scott-Elliot. The ladies, Miss Hannay 
and Miss M. Aitken, who are assisting Mr Scott-Elliot in super- 
intending the herbarium, are deserving of the warmest thanks of 
the Society. 
Last session we had the valuable Baxter bequest of minerals 
and coins. This year we have received an equally valuable 
donation, that of the late Robert Dinwiddie’s scientific library, 
from his son, Mr Robert Dinwiddie, of New York. Mr Din- 
widdie’s affection for his native town is another illustration of 
Horace’s line—“ Celum, non animum, mutat qui trans mare 
currd.” We have now the nucleus of a good scientific library, 
and thanks to the exertions of our librarian the books are ready 
for use by the members whenever they like to avail themselves 
of the privilege. Another valuable donation is that of Mrs 
Walter Grierson, who, since the death of her husband, and 
carrying out his wish as well as her own, has presented to the 
Society the valuable collection of plants made by her late son, 
Dr Frank Grierson. This has been placed under the care of Mr 
Scott-Elliot, and added to our herbarium. I had the pleasure 
since the last meeting of conveying to Mrs Grierson the thanks 
of the Society for her donation. 
The exhibition of the Baxter minerals and coins, together with 
a collection of portraits of Dumfries and Galloway worthies, held 
in November, was a decided success. This success was greatly 
due to the exertions of Messrs Barbour, Davidson, and Lennox. 
It is hoped that the attempt to form a permanent collection of 
portraits of old Dumfriesshire and Galloway celebrities will be 
borne in mind and prove a reality. For this purpose funds are 
