1010 



pains to make the labels more accurate, and to keep within reach the 

 means of correcting such errors as might still be put into circulation 

 from Bedford Street. But of course my own efforts were greatly frus- 

 trated and stultified by the continuance of a pi'actice so much to be 

 reprobated. Nor was this the only instance in which those efforts 

 were rendered of little avail. I have no doubt that many mislabelled 

 specimens were also distributed from Bedford Street between the years 

 1840 and 1844. Thus, whether the words " Botanical Society of Lon- 

 don " be found at the top or at the bottom of the label, is a difference 

 of comparatively little importance. Adherence to a very bad prece- 

 dent has vitiated all the Society's labels up to 1843; possibly likewise 

 to a later date, since some of the blank forms may have remained on 

 hand, and have been filled up and distributed still more recently, 

 without first reaching London. 



After these glaring examples, it seems needless to cite in detail 

 other instances of inattention to accuracy, or of injudicious practices 

 calculated to damage the Society's name, and to detract greatly from 

 the usefulness which might otherwise, and much earlier, have charac- 

 terized its proceedings. Suffice it to say that, previous to 1841, the 

 errors put into botanical circulation, under sanction of the Society's 

 name, appear to have been gigantically numerous, with scarcely any 

 compensating advantage from its doings. From 1841 to 1844, I must 

 deem myself a participator in the proceedings and responsibilities of 

 the Society. But during much of that period I could only feel myself 

 continually engaged in a vexing struggle against a deficiency of scien- 

 tific accuracy, an inattention to orderly arrangements, and a lack of 

 methodical management, which would assuredly have driven me from 

 the London Society, had there appeared any reasonable likelihood of 

 the Edinburgh Society redeeming its pledges, or treating its non-resi- 

 dents with even-handed justice. The want of order and precision in 

 the Bedford Street management was too usually carried the length of 

 downright disorderliness and slovenly confusion ; while the state of 

 dust and dirt in which the rooms and cabinets were suffered to remain, 

 rendered it quite disagreeable to do anything in them. 



It is true, a verbal and ostensible acquiescence was given to various 

 remedial ameliorations which from time to time I suggested. But too 

 frequently I found these rendered profitless through being neglected 

 in practice ; or that the anticipated advantages were nullified by some 

 ill-judged act which served to counteract the effect desired from them. 

 It was even more vexatious to find ray own efforts thus impeded or 

 neutralized, while there really was an ample store of the best possible 



