The late Andrew Brotherston. 401 



natural history in the "Proceedings" of the Berwickshire 

 Naturalists' Club, with sundry contributions to the Zoologist and 

 Scottish Naturalist, and occasional letters in the Scotsman, only 

 serve to intensify the wish that he had done more in that way ; 

 and in botany the same remark may be made with reference to 

 his "Notes on Eare or Uncommon Wild Plants found about 

 Kelso," which appeared in The Gardener, and afterwards in a 

 local newspaper. 



His name is associated with certain plants which he was the 

 means of bringing to light as existing in Scotland, and in 

 connection with the investigation into the causes of " louping ill " 

 he had a claim to important recognition. When the Teviotdale 

 Farmers' Club, constrained by tlie severe losses they periodically 

 suffered from this scourge, resolved to enlist the aid of science, 

 Mr Brotherston was asked to give his assistance. He set about 

 making an examination of the pastures where the outbreaks had 

 been most prevalent, and he discovered that ia these districts the 

 grass stalks had become extensively ergotised. Subsequently, 

 experiments were carried out under the superintendence of a 

 well-known veterinarj' professor, with whom Mr Brotherston 

 acted in concert during the preliminary investigations, and it is 

 believed that the latter thus pointed out the direction in which 

 the mystery was to be solved, and the malady avoided. In 

 connection with prolonged experiments, recently conducted in 

 Kelso district, with the view of improving the selection of 

 grasses used in permanent pasture, Mr Brotherston rendered 

 essential service. He had for many years charge of the natural 

 history collection in the museum of the Kelso Tweedside 

 Physical and Antiquarian Society, and all the additions made to 

 it during his time were preserved by him, in which work his 

 knowledge and skill enabled him to surpass in the way of 

 showing natural aptitude and habit. For the Berwick. Museum 

 he also did much excellent work, and the extensive collection at 

 Floors Castle owes something to his fine taste and knowledge. 

 At the London Fisheries Exhibition he exhibited a fine set of 

 preserved fish, chiefly of the salmon kind, and an extensive 

 assortment of barks ; while at the Forestry Exhibition in 

 Edinburgh he contributed a large selection of botanical 

 specimens. 



His collection of willows was an exhibition of itself. He was 

 frequently urged by his friends to set about the compilation of 



