302 ' Obituary Notices. 



are irreconcilably adverse to that theory, ingeniously 

 invented to explain the so-called origin of species, or to 

 those viev^s of their past dispersion and present distribution 

 which are closely connected therewith ; but perhaps it 

 would be alleging a double truth, were it declared impos- 

 sible to prove, and equally impossible to disprove, those views 

 on species introduction which are now familiarly known as 

 Darwinism." In a similar fashion he had previously de- 

 raitted the editorship of the Phrenological Journal, because 

 the zealots for the then new science could not bear Watson 

 to expose its weakness when viewed from a logical stand- 

 point. Speaking as a botanist, he says : " As for my own 

 ideas, it is wished here to make a final declaration, up to 

 present date (1874), that I have not seen any hypothesis 

 truly adequate to account for the origin and present distri- 

 bution of plants in Europe generally, or in Britain specially." 

 Mr Watson's works are — 



Outlines of the Distribution of British Plants belonging to the 

 Division Vasculares. 8vo, Edinburgh (privately printed), 1832. 



Remarks on the Distribution of British Plants, cMetiy in con- 

 ne-ction with Latitude, Elevation, and Climate. Bvo, London, 1835. 



New Botanisfs Guide. 2 vols. 8vo, London, 1835-37. 



Oybele Britannica. 4 vols. 8vo, London, 1847-59. 



Supplement to Gybele Britannica. 8vo, London, 1860. 



Compendium. 3 vols, 8vo, London, 1868-70. 



Topographical Botany. 2 vols. 8vo, Thames Ditton, 1873-74. 



Papers in Loudon's Magazine of Natttral History ; Sir "William 

 'Kookev's London Jo7irnal of Botany; Phytologist, old series, 1841- 

 54. 



Mr Watson edited the Phrenological Journal, from 1830-1840. 



On 21st October 1881, the busy town of Falkirk showed 

 all befitting municipal respect as the funeral of Mr John 

 KussEL, its ex-provost and our former fellow member, 

 was being conducted through its mourning streets. Mr 

 Russel, during a twelve years' chief magistracy, had done 

 more than most to improve the old borough. Of the 

 leading legal firm of the town, yet he found time to 

 make himself a name in orchid growing. His first 

 collection, scattered in Steven's rooms in 1875, was pro- 

 bably the finest lot of orchids ever so disposed of. 

 Though surrounded by tall stalks of chemical and other 



