86 Transactions. 
and what is probably Potamogeton nitens, a species that years ago 
passed as the P. lanceolatus Smith in Britain. I have seen 
specimens so named that are unquestionably nitens. Search 
should be made for these this season ; the first is very likely to 
occur, and additional counties are recorded for it nearly every 
year. Last year I received it from the Shetland Isles and the 
Outer Hebrides, and it has occurred in Kirkcudbright. 
II. Some of the Military Preparations in Dumfriesshire during 
the last war with France. 
By the Rev. Roperr W. Werr, M.A. 
In February, 1793, the French Republic declared war against 
Great Britain. With the exception of an interval of about a 
twelvemonth after the peace of Amiens, and a shorter interval 
after Bonaparte’s retreat to Elba, this war lasted till the Battle 
of Waterloo in 1815 caused the final overthrow of the great 
soldier who for so long disturbed the peace of Europe. During 
these 21 years our nation had to make great naval and military 
preparations not only for foreign, but for home service. The 
fear of invasion from France was never altogether absent, and 
there were times when the people lived in constant dread of the 
arrival of a French fleet, and the landing of a French army on 
some part of the coast. During this period the patriotic spirit 
of the nation was thoroughly roused, and there is evidence that 
every preparation was made to resist an invading army. My 
object in writing this paper is to describe the part which the 
people of Dumfriesshire played in making preparation for the 
defence of the County. 
When war was declared the Government had to be prepared 
to resist not only invasion from abroad, but a spirit of rebellion 
and dissatisfaction caused by some who were imbued with the 
principles of the leaders of the French Revolution. Accordingly 
the earliest measures taken for military preparations were 
designed to resist both foes. In July, 1793, the ministers of 
Dumfries read in both parish churches this declaration, and 
intimated that all would have an opportunity of signing it :— 
“We whose names are here subscribed do most solemnly declare 
that we are firmly attached to the present happy Constitution as 
established in King, Lords, and Commons ; that we detest all 
