REPORT FOR 1914. 109 



REPORT OF THE DISTRIBUTOR FOR 19U. 



The total number of plants sent in for distribution shows a reduction 

 on the two previous years. This, however, is readily accounted for 

 by the abnormal condition of the country — many of our members 

 having had to devote themselves to more imperative work. The 

 number of plants sent in was 6537, contributed by thirty - four 

 members. 



The specimens were on the whole well prepared and the rules of 

 the Club fairly well adhered to. The critical genera were all well 

 represented, the most noticeable increase being in the genus Eroj)hila. 

 With regard to Fumaria, Mr Pugsley remarks " The plants were well 

 dried, and the naming a great improvement on what obtained a few 

 years ago." There were also a large number of good specimens of our 

 less critical plants, which would doubtless be much valued by the 

 newer members. Our largest contributor was Mr Robinson, whose 

 specimens showed much care in preparation. Mr Pearsall's excellent 

 specimens of Hydrilla were much appreciated. 



The Rules of the Club have been reprinted, and I should like to 

 direct the attention of the members to the remarks on the labelling 

 of the specimens. At present the distributor receives with each 

 packet of plants the requisite number of labels, but onl}^^ one copy of 

 the additional particulars and remarks of the collector regarding the 

 plant. These remarks are generally printed in the Report. They are 

 not, however, available until too late for the use of the experts who 

 criticise the plant. This is obviously a great disadvantage, as the 

 critic in his examination of the plant does not have before him facts 

 as to abnormal conditions of growth or other details which might 

 considerably influence his opinion, nor, when he is unaware of them, 

 can he elucidate the sender's difficulties or answer his questions. 

 Therefore, it is very necessary for those contributors who have any 

 remarks of import to make upon their plants to send a copy of these 

 with each label, or at least to send a sufficient number of copies to 

 supply the critics. 



The Club is greatly indebted to the following botanists for critical 

 notes on the specimens : — Mr E. G. Baker, Mr W. Barclay, Dr 

 Drabble, Mrs Gregory, Mr J. Groves, Mr W. P. Hiern, Rev. E. F. 

 Linton, Dr C. E. Moss, Mr H. W. Pugsley, Rev. W. Moyle Rogers, 

 Mr F. W. Stansfield, Dr Thellung, and Members of the Club whose 

 names will be seen in the body of the Report. 



R. H. CORSTORPHINE, 



Editor oj Report and Distributor for 1914.. 



Hillside House, 

 Arbroath, Nov. 1, 1915. 



