TRANSACTIONS 



BOTANICAL SOCIETY. 



SESSION LII. 



10th December 1887. — William Craig, M.D., F.R.S.E., 

 r.E.C.S. Ed., President, in the Chair. 



The President made the following introductory remarks : — 



Gentlemen, — My first duty is to return you my sincere 

 thanks for the high honour you have conferred on me by 

 calling me to the Presidential chair. It is an honour to 

 which I could lay no claim, but one which I deeply prize. 

 When I reflect on the long list of distinguished men who 

 have filled this chair, and especially on the high position of 

 my immediate predecessor, who so ably filled the office of 

 President for the past three years, I cannot but feel my own 

 unworthiness to fill such a distinguished position as that of 

 your President. I shall, however, endeavour, so far as I can, 

 faithfully to discharge the duties of the office. 



Ever since I became a student in the Botanical Class, 

 under the late Professor Balfour, I have taken a deep 

 interest in this Society, and to my connection with it I am 

 indebted for many of the happiest hours of my life. 



This Society owed its origin to the enthusiasm and in- 

 domitable energy of the late Professor John Hutton Balfour. 

 On the 8th of February 1836, Dr Balfour entertained to 

 supper in his house, 15 Dundas Street, a few botanical friends, 

 with the object of discussing the formation of a Botanical 

 Society in Edinburgh. The guests were at one with their 

 hospitable entertainer in regard to the formation of such a 



TRAXS. BOT. SOC. VOL. XVIL L 



