MEMOIR. 63 
I picked up some fine plants of Salcornia herbacea, then in 
flower, and also a somewhat shrubby variety. On reaching 
Forfar towards evening I soon found Don’s garden, and entering 
inquired of a very rough-looking person with a spade in his 
hand, whom I took for a workman, whether Mr. Don was at 
home. The answer was, ‘Why, sir, I am all that you will get 
for him.’ Having apologised in the best way I could, I stated 
that when I left home I did not anticipate a visit to Forfar, else 
1 could have brought a note of introduction from Mr. John 
Mackay. Mr. Don, pointing to my botanical box, immediately 
said, ‘That is introduction enough to me’; and, having inspected 
the contents, remarked that he was in want of an example of 
Monandria Monogynia, an Eqguisetum not having succeeded, 
forthwith conducted me to the Linnean arrangement. I 
was then introduced to Caroline, his wife, who had brought him 
two sons and a daughter. I persuaded him to accompany me 
to the inn at Forfar, where he spent the evening with me. Next 
morning at six he met me there by appointment, and conducted me 
to Restennet Moss, where I had the great satisfaction of procuring 
a living patch of Eriophorum alpinum and a number of fine 
specimens for drying. The Moss was at this time partially 
drained for the sake of a rich deposit of marl, but at one end 
there was still sufficient marsh for the growth of Schenus 
(Cladium) Mariscus and Eriophorum angustifolium, and, of 
course, for the rare &. a/pinum, which grew on the drier or firmer 
parts of the Moss. Mr. Don remarked that in a few years the 
plant would disappear, which I understand has accordingly 
happened.” 
Mr, John Mackay, Principal Gardener of the Royal Botanic 
Garden, Edinburgh, having died on the 14th April, 1802, Sir 
J. E. Smith and Brodie of Brodie strongly recommended 
Don for the post to Professor Rutherford, the Regius Keeper of 
the Garden ; he was appointed,! and removed to Edinburgh, on 
or about the 12th December 1802,” leaving his Forfar garden in 
*“T have got your correspondent, Don, the Botanic Gardens, at Edin- 
burgh. There he will do well and be of great service to Dr. Rutherford and 
the public,”—Syzth Corresp. Linn. Soc.; Brodie of Brodie to Sir J. E. 
Smith, 24th October 1802.—1. B. B. 
* “It is but 2 week since I come to the Edinburgh Botanic Garden.”— 
Winch eet Linn. Soc.; George Don to N. J. Winch, 26th December 
1802.—~1. B. B 
