1912-13.] BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH 177 



Osborne, well known in Dundee as a skilful doctor and a 

 keen botanist, was unfailing in his attendance on poor 

 Gardiner, and ultimately, on his suggestion and that of 

 Professor J. Hutton Balfour of Edinburgh. Gardiner's 

 friend and admirer. Mr. James Scrymgeour. was induced to 

 write to all those who had been in communication with 

 Gardiner, intimating to them the almost destitute condition 

 in which he lay. " If ever this humble but enthusiastic- 

 naturalist was to recover, it would be a work of consider- 

 able time, and assistance was therefore necessary." The 

 natural history journals gave full publicity to Mr. 

 Scrymgeour's plea. In the " London Journal of Botany " 

 Sir W. J. Hooker, with his usual kindness, made a special 

 appeal for his humble brother botanist. " Few of our 

 readers." he wrote, " but are acquainted with the botanical 

 writings and the beautifully prepared specimens of Scottish 

 plants by Mr. Wra. Gardiner of Dundee. Like his pre- 

 decessors in the same career. Don and Drummond, his 

 mind has been more set on studying the works of nature 

 than in laying by a provision against a time of sickness 

 and old age ; and now it has pleased Providence to pros- 

 trate him with severe illness, at a time when, as we have 

 reason to know, he is wholly dependent for support on 

 what a few personal friends and others have done for him. 

 Should this notice induce anyone to contribute to the 

 wants of this most deserving person, donations will be 

 thankfully received on his behalf by James Scrymgeour, 

 Esq.. 11 Reform Street, Dundee." 



The response to the appeal was most gratifying — consider- 

 able sums of money being freely sent. 



In the list of subscribers, afterwards printed, the name 

 of nearly every well-known British botanist was to be 

 found, and in many cases the kindly letters which accom- 

 panied the subscriptions showed a high regard for the 

 humble botanist who had fallen in his life struggle. 



There seemed every hope that what money and care 

 had secured for Gardiner, would in time restore him to 

 health and work again. He was able to move about the 

 house, and busied himself preparing a new edition (the 

 fourth) of his " Mosses " ; but, alas, he caught the germs of 

 typhus fever — outbreaks of which were too common in the 



