OBITUARY NOTICE-MR WILLIAM SHAW 327 



occasion led a botanical part}' over Gattonside Moss, his 

 description of which was included in the official report 

 of the excursion.* To a large extent self-taught, he 

 became possessed of much reliable information which he 

 was always ready to impart, so that any excursion in his 

 company proved the opportunity foi' the correction of too 

 hasty conclusions, and tlie confirmation of cai'efuDy weighed 

 opinions. In illustration of his accuracy after a lengthened 

 absence from the neighbourhood, the following instruction 

 regarding a station for Coral-root (CoraUo7-hiza innafa), in 

 the parisli of Aj'ton, Avbich was his own discovery, may 

 be quoted. Enquiry having l)een made regarding the 

 exact locality, as owing to the removal of timber and the 

 consequent alteration of the surface of the soil, a search for 

 this rare Orchis had proved fruitless, he wrote in reply : — 

 " There is a footpath running through the wood, which comes 

 in at Littledean, and comes out on the i-oad between Ale 

 Water bridge and Whitfield. All tlie plants J saw were on 

 the part, nearest AVhitfield. I saw none on the part nearest 

 A3'ton. Try the other side of the road, if you like. That 

 is the only place I know with the same sort of ground, and 

 the trees of the same age. I onlv found it in one locality, 

 but the side nearest the Ale is well worth examining." The 

 wisdom of that aflvice was justified in the subsequent 

 discovery of another excellent station in the portion which 

 he indicated but had not examined. Instances of his pre- 

 cision of statement and tenacity of memory luight easily be 

 multiplied, the best proof of which may be found in his 

 botanical jottings contributed at intervals to the Proceeduigs, 

 and in the notes appended to the "Guide to the Fauna of 

 Galashiels and district," which he suj)plied in conjunction with 

 fellow-members of the South of Scotland Entomological Society, f 

 His title to Associate membership was made good in many ways, 

 and his loss to the Club is regretted by all who knew him. 



* B.N.C., YoL xx„ pp. 178-9. 

 t B.N.C, Yol, XIX., p. 193, 



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