xxxiv Proceedings of Eoyal Soeiety of Edinburgh. 
the order of superposition of quarternary deposits, and a biotic 
scheme co-ordinate with that of superposition, they are likely to 
result from such careful observation and orderly records of rela- 
tion and sequence as distinguish Dr Brown’s labours in this 
department. 
II. Botanical Studies. — Botany was Dr Brown’s earliest and 
favourite study. Langton and its environments presented a rich 
gathering ground. The parish lies partly in the Lammermoors and 
partly in the' well-cultivated fields of the Merse. Moor and moss, 
hill and dale, and the wild-wooded valley through which Langton 
burn flows, were all that a young enthusiastic botanist could desire. 
In 1834 he prepared the notice of the botany of the district for 
the “ New Statistical Account.” Among the forms mentioned as 
“lately discovered” is Saxifraga hirculus, Dr Johnston’s reference 
to which, in his Natural History of the Eastern Borders, is as 
follows : — “i/8. hirculus. In a wet moorish spot near Langton wood, 
plentiful,. Rev. Thomas Brown, who had the good fortune to add 
this beautiful species to the Flora of Scotland.” When Dr Brown 
was called to occupy the position of President of the Berwickshire 
Naturalists’ Club, during its jubilee year, 1881, he referred to this in 
his interesting address. “ I remember well,” he said, “ the enthu- 
siasm with which Dr J ohnston welcomed and submitted to the club 
the little saxifrage from the Langton Lees, and the Anthoceros 
yunctatus from the fields of Gavinton — both at the time new to the 
Flora of Scotland.” We have clear proof, in the same address, 
that, in his botanical studies, he had much more in view than the 
mere gathering of plants and the attainment of expertness in hortus 
siccus terminology. It was the living form which specially interested 
him — its relations to other forms, its surroundings, its use, the use 
of its beauty, and many such-like elements associated with place, 
and habits, and appearance and structure. The numerous refer- 
ences to him in Dr Johnston’s work show how thoroughly he had 
mastered the botany of his native district. 
III. Literature. — Dr Brown’s work in this department was 
mainly — {a) Biographical, and (h) Historical. Or, perhaps, it 
would be better to say that it was history from the biographical 
point of view. In a general way, this may be affirmed of both of his 
works — Annals of the Disruption, and Church and State in Scotland. 
