540 Obituary Notice of Francis Douglas, M.D. 



the Kelso National Security Saving's Bank; and on the com- 

 mittee of management of the Kelso Dispensary, the Union Poor 

 House, and of the Kelso Horticultural Society, etc. He was also 

 a Justice of the Peace for the county of Roxburgh. 



Dr Douglas was a clear-headed business man, and in all the 

 several appointments which he held his advice and assistance 

 were eagerly sought by his coadjutors. He had always taken 

 an especial interest in the Tweedside Physical and Antiquarian 

 Societj r , which institution was much indebted to him for many 

 interesting and valuable additions to its Museum, and for pro- 

 curing objects of interest from others. 



He was a most useful man in Kelso, where he was always 

 ready to give a helping hand to every good object that presented 

 itself, and no applicant where the object was a good one was ever 

 sent empty away, especially when substantial help was wanted 

 by the poor and needy. His kind and genial manner made him 

 a large circle of friends and acquaintances by ail of whom he was 

 much loved and respected. 



Dr Douglas at the time of his death was the oldest member of 

 the Berwickshire Naturalists' Club, having joined it on the 30th 

 July 1834, just three years after its foundation. He was 

 President in 1841, and for two or three years before leaving for 

 India he acted as Joiut Secretary with Dr Johnston. was President 

 for the second time in 1807, and was elected Joint Secretary with 

 Mr Hardy in 1871, which appointment he held up to his death. 

 He was a regular attender of its meetings, and helped in no 

 small degree to their s access. He was a good Botanist and a 

 keen observer, and nothing gave him greater pleasure than 

 attending the meetings of this Club with which he had been so 

 long connected. 



He was especially fond of his Garden, where he had collected 

 together a most interesting variety of alpine and other hardy 

 plants, many of which he had gathered himself on their native 

 hills. He in company with one or two friends had frequently 

 visited the Engadine the Swiss and Tyrolean Mountains from 

 which localities, many choice and rare alpine plants were added 

 to his store. During his last trip to the Dolomite Mountains he 

 sent home several very interesting and rare plants, among others 

 there were the very rare Primula dolomites, Rhododendron chain- 

 aristus. Orchis pollens and Orchis sambucina and many others ; these 

 he had most carefully planted according to their requirements in 



