Dec. 1898. J BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF EDINEUKGH 229 



Valleys, attended only by a slight escort for the protection 

 of his tents and stores ; often alone, and always away I'roni 

 the neighbourhood of troops." These collections were made 

 up into sets at Kew, and distributed to the following 

 National and Public Museums in the following order : — 

 1, Seharunpore*; 2, Calcutta; 3, St. Petersburg; 4, Harvard 

 University ; 5, Boissin ; 6, British Museum ; 7, Florence ; 

 8, Paris; 9, Berlin; 10, Copenhagen; 11, Lisbon; 12, 

 Stockholm; 13, Mrs. Qorson ; 14, Edinburgh; 15, Zurich; 

 16, Mrs. Crepin (roses only). The first seven sets were 

 complete, and the others less so, in the order given. 



The last few years of his life were spent at Kew in 

 preparing a " Flora Indiie Desertte," to include the plants 

 of jSTorth-west India, Beluchistan, and Afghanistan. But 

 he suffered much from a weak heart, and his ailments 

 prevented the accomplishment of the task. The last year 

 of his life was saddened by the loss of his wife, who died 

 in July 1897. His name has been commemorated in 

 botanical nomenclature by the Eubiaceous genus, AitcMsonia, 

 by his friend and collaborateur, Mr. Hemsley. He died at 

 Priory Terrace, Kew Green, on 30th September 1898, at 

 the age of sixty-three, and was interred at Newbattle, 

 Dalkeith. His death removes from our Roll the name of 

 one of our most distinguished Fellows, who had endeared 

 himself to us by many lovable qualities ;^ and he leaves 

 a vacancy which there is no living botanist at present to 

 fill. 



I am indebted to many friends for valuable aid in 

 compiling this notice, especially to Professor and Mrs. 

 Balfour, and Mr. E. M. Holmes, and to Miss Ptobina Orrock, 

 who kindly obtained for me some important particulars of 

 Dr. Aitchison's work in India, which were found among his 

 papers by his surviving sister, Miss Aitchison. 



