302 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHAIR OF 



wards a botanic garden was laid out by Dr Wilson and Mr 

 Berwick in an old garden rented from St. Mary's College, 

 and made available for the students. A few years later Dr 

 Cleghorn of Stravithie, who took a keen interest in this 

 development, and who had been at the opening of the garden 

 in the summer of 1888, privately intimated to the Professor 

 of Natural History that he wished to give 1000 to his Chair. 

 Botany, however, was struggling under difficulties, and it 

 was suggested that as Dr Cleghorn was himself a well-known 

 botanist, and, besides, had lectured on forestry in the Univer- 

 sity, it would be a graceful act to assign it to the lectureship 

 in botany, or to a Chair in St Andrews if that should 

 ultimately be founded. This was done anonymously in 

 accordance with Dr Cleghorn' s wish, and not even the 

 Principal of the University had any clue to identification till 

 the death of the generous donor. Dr Cleghorn also presented 

 various botanical lecture-drawings, a herbarium, and numerous 

 other specimens. The lectureship was thus made secure, 

 and a boon conferred on the University by the institution of 

 a new subject at once popular and important in science, 

 medicine, and arts. For some years the lectureship continued 

 in connection with the demonstratorship in zoology, until 

 in 1893 the additional funds accruing to the University by 

 the new Act enabled the Court to institute an independent 

 lectureship, to which Mr A. R. Robertson, who had held both 

 posts (zoological and botanical) for some time, was appointed. 

 Botany has now spacious accommodation in the Bute Medical 

 Buildings, a botanic garden is attached and also a series of 

 glass-houses, experimental rooms, and other conveniences, 

 the erection of the conservatories having been generously 

 defrayed by Mrs Pettigrew. The courses in botany consist 

 of general, special, and honours classes, practical classes being 

 attached to each section, and opportunities are given to 

 advanced students for original research. 



In former years, though no lectures were given in the 



