1912-13.] 6l5 



PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS. 



BOTANISTS OF THE NORTH OF IRELAND. 



The first meeting of the Winter Session was held in the 

 Museum, on 19th November, when the President, Rev. Canon 

 H. W. Lett , M.A., M.R.I. A., gave a most interesting address on 

 "The Botanists of the North of Ireland," in which he said: — 

 "The Botanists of whom this paper treats are those whose botanical 

 work was carried on in the northern part of Ireland, or who were 

 natives of the province of Ulster. Of these several will be mentioned 

 whose names have not hitherto appeared in any published list of 

 the Botanists of Great Britain and Ireland, and a few particulars 

 will be added to what has been already recorded concerning others 

 who have long since obtained a place amongst the Botanists of the 

 North of Ireland. 



The Most Rev. William Nicholson, F.R.S., born in Cumberland 

 1655, died at Derry 1727. Was Bishop of Derry 1718-1726, and 

 Archbishop of Cashel 1726-1727. Did much botanical work, 

 especially in early life. A portrait of him was formerly at 

 Tullyhogue, Co. Tyrone. 



Sir Hans Sloane, one of the most distinguished men whom 

 the County Down has produced, was born at Killyleagh in 1660. 

 His library and natural history collections, bequeathed to the 

 nation, became the nucleus of the British Museum. A full 

 account of his life will be found in Sir W. Jardine's " Memoir of 

 Sir Hans Sloane," and in the " Dictionary of National Biography." 



There was a contemporary of Sloane's who, if anyone ever 

 did, deserves to be reckoned as a botanist ; this was Sir Arthur 

 Rawdon, b. 1662, d. 1695, grandfather of the celebrated Earl of 

 Moira, and ancestor of the present Marquess of Hastings. He 



