Memoir of the late John Hution Balfour. 219 



lie devoted special attention to the practice of surgery, and in 

 1834 became assistant to a famous Edinburgh surgeon, the late 

 Sir George Ballingall, Professor of Military Surgery, in the 

 University of Edinburgh. In those days it was customary for 

 students to serve as apprentices to surgeons, and Balfour had 

 acted in this capacity to Sir George Ballingall, to whom after- 

 wards he had the distinction of acting as assistant. Throughout 

 his long life, he took a very deep interest in tho College of 

 Surgeons, and was most regular in his attendance at its meetings 

 so long as his health permitted. 



It was however towards the science of Botany that his mind 

 was bent. His father in early life had infused into his son's 

 mind a liking for plants, and its chair of Botany was at that 

 time filled by Professor Graham, a great enthusiast, who un- 

 doubtedly influenced not a little the mind of young Balfour. 

 He had often been with Graham in his excursions, and in some 

 respects the pupil outshone the Professor as an enthusiast. 



On the 8th of March, 1836, Dr Balfour entertained in his 

 house, 15 Dundas Street, to supper, eleven gentlemen, including 

 Edward Eorbes, the two McNabs, and other distinguished 

 botanists. Dr Balfour was in the chair; and the object of the 

 meeting was to consider the propriety of forming in Edinburgh 

 a Botanical Society. 



The meeting approved of Balfour's proposal, and a committee 

 was appointed to confer with other botanists, and the result was 

 the formation of the Botanical Society of Edinburgh, on tho 17th 

 of March, 1836. The Botanical Society, of which Balfour was 

 undoubtedly the originator, and throughout his long life the 

 main support, occupies now an important place among tho 

 scientific and learned societies of the world. This society has 

 for Patron Her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen ; and numbers 

 amongst its Fellows — the Prince of Wales, the Duke of Edin- 

 burgh, the Emperor of Brazil, and the King of Sweden, besides 

 all the most distinguished botanists of the world. 



On the 8th February, 1838, Dr Balfour asked to his house to 

 supper, the 21 original members of the Botanical Society, includ- 

 ing the eleven gentlemen, who along with himself, had met at 

 his house two years before to form the Society. The object of 

 this anniversary meeting was to commemorate the foundation, 

 of what at this early date, was already a flourishing society. 

 The meeting that evening resolved on the suggestion of Dr 



