April 1902.] BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH 211 



Playfair in answer to tlie letter transmitted by the Society 

 through Dr. Playfair to Government regarding the handing 

 over of the Library. Mr. Ayrton says : "It seems very 

 desirable to carry through the proposal, and I will urge it 

 on the Treasury as soon as I have had the estimate made 

 of the expenses." 



At a meeting of the Council of the Botanical Society, 

 held at 5 St. Andrew Square, Edinburgh, 2nd July 1872, 

 Professor J. H. Balfour stated that ]\Ir. Matheson, of 

 H.M. Board of Works, had visited the Botanic Garden 

 according to instructions received from Mr. Ayrton, and 

 had made an estimate as to the probable expense of 

 providing room and cases for the Library. Mr. Matheson's 

 report would be submitted to Government. 



At a meeting of the Council of the Society, held at 

 5 St. Andrew Square, Edinburgh, 5th November 1872, 

 Professor J. H. Balfour reported the building for the 

 accommodation of the Society's Library was now in 

 progress. 



The Society met at 5 St. Andrew Square, Edinburgh, on 

 14th November 1872, and the following letter from Mr. 

 Matheson, of H.M. Office of Works, to Professor Balfour 

 was read : — 



H.M. Office of Works, 

 Edinburgh, SOth September 1872. 



Dear Sir, — With reference to my communication with 

 you regarding accommodation for the Library of the 

 Botanical Society offered to the public, I have to state 

 that the Lords Commissioners of H.M. Treasury having 

 sanctioned the expenditure necessary for the accommoda- 

 tion for the books, etc., I have been directed by the First 

 Commissioner of H.M. Works, etc., to proceed with the 

 erection of an apartment adjoining the Herbarium of the 

 Pioyal Botanic Garden and supply the necessary cases and 

 shelving. — I am, dear Sir, yours faithfully, 



EoBT. Mathesox. 



At a meeting of the Botanical Society, held 14th 

 December 1876, Professor J. H. Balfour submitted a 

 circular letter he was issuing regarding the Botanical 

 Society of Edinburgh having presented their collection of 



