MEMOIR. 77 
appearance of being beset with blunt prickles, bent backward. The 
leaves are serrulated,—a character which at once distinguishes it 
from var. 1., with which the tree agrees in having a pyramidal head. 
This variety is more common than var. z., and itis also a good tree. 
Var. 4. 
‘‘T have observed a fourth variety, the leaves of which are some- 
what curled or rather twisted, and much shorter. This seems to 
be a scarce variety, as I have not hitherto seen more than three or 
four trees of it. It very nearly approaches Pinus Banksiana of Mr. 
Lambert’s Monograph. 
“Before concluding, I may remark, that Mr. Lambert, in his 
Monograph, mentions a variety found by Thunberg in Japan, 
having the branches horizontal. Can this be my var. 2.? Mr. 
Lambert thinks it may be a distinct species.—And I beg leave to 
add, that as I have collected seeds of all the above varieties, and 
have sown them in my grounds at Forfar, I hope to be able, in the 
course of the autumn, to show the young plants to any ein Helin 
desirous of distinguishing the varieties in the seedling state. I 
have collected all the cones I could possibly find of vars. 2. and 3., 
being the most valuable, and mean to raise them extensively, as 
the most effectual means of promoting a reform in this department 
of the nursery business. 
“ Forfar Garden, 
oth February, 1811.” 
Despite all his exertions Don’s pecuniary affairs did not 
prosper.! His long absences on botanical expeditions in later 
years interfered with his business. On some of these he took 
with him one of his apprentices or workmen, who had little 
"Mr. Knox has in his possession a ‘‘ Day Book” of Don’s business covering 
the period from 1811 to 1815—that in which took place the crash in Don’s 
affairs, his death, and the attempt by his sons George and David to carry on 
the nursery. He has kindly granted me the privilege of perusing it. The 
transactions are few and the sum obtained by them but a pittance. The 
plants recorded as sold form a noteworthy list, and Don’s nursery must have 
contained a stock of plants remarkable both in quantity and in botanical 
quality. Two accounts in the book are of special interest :—Messrs. 
Dickson & Sons, nurserymen, Edinburgh, buy over 500 species of 
herbaceous plants, and from them the Edinburgh Botanic Garden obtained 
many of its plants ; Mr. Hopkirk of Dalbeath is also a purchaser of out-of- 
the-way herbaceous plants, and his collection was the foundation in 1819 of 
the Botanic Garden of Glasgow.—/. &, B 
