210 TItANSACTIONS AND PKOCEEDINGS OF THK [Sess. lxvi. 



At the meeting of the Society held in the Classroom, 

 Eoyal Botanic Garden, 9th May 1872, it was reported by 

 Professor J. H. Balfour that he had transmitted the letter 

 from the Society to Government regarding the handing 

 over of the Library to Mr. Ayrton, of H.M. Treasury, 

 through Dr. Lyon Playfair, and that Dr. Playfair was 

 to take the first opportunity of forwarding it. 



The following is a copy of the letter sent by Professor 

 J. H. Balfour to the Eight Hon. A. J. Ayrton : — 



Royal Botanic Gardex, 



Edinburgh, ICjth May 1872. 



Dear Sir, — As Eegius Keeper of the Edinburgh Botanic 

 Garden, I have received the enclosed letter from the 

 Botanical Society of Edinburgh, and now confirm it, with 

 the request contained in it. I now forward it to you 

 by the Hon. Commissioners of H.M. Works. At 

 the same time I take the liberty of urging strongly the 

 propriety of accepting the generous offer of the Society. I 

 have long been asking for means of providing a consulting 

 library in connection with the Herbarium in the Garden, 

 and it is with great pleasure that 1 now transmit the 

 Society's offer. 



The Library contains many valuable books, which will 

 be most serviceable to those who consult the Herbarium. 

 I have long felt that the usefulness of the collection was 

 much impaired by the want of books. 



I hope, therefore, that I shall be authorised to receive 

 the gifts on the part of the Government, and that I may 

 ask a letter to allow uniting the hooks in the Herbarium 

 Booms. 



I am satisfied as to the value of the Library, and I 

 venture . . .Ho you the propriety of accepting it. — Your 

 obedient Servant, J. H. B. 



At a meeting of the Council of the Botanical Society, 

 held at 5 St. Andrew Square, Edinburgh, 5th June 1872, 

 Professor Balfour read a letter from Mr. Ayrton, of 

 H.M. Treasury, which had been addressed to Dr. Lyon 



' A few words in this letter cannot be read, possibly the words omitted 

 are " to suggest." 



