room’ informed me that Mr Drummond, of For- 
far (Don’s successor at Dove Hillock) used to 
fcdg© sometimes whole weeks in her house for 
the purpose of botanising the adjacent rooks and 
braes, and would rise and walk out every morn- 
ing by three or four o’clock in pursuit of plants. 
On my mentioning Mr Don, ‘ out spoke mine 
host,’ and pronounced a warm invective against 
that gentleman, who, he observed, had ruined 
these braes, for since he had) been prowling 
about there not a plant worthy of notice was to 
be seen. I bad no reason to doubt the veracity 
of mine host’s assertion, for I have frequently 
searched Mr Don’s habitats in vain. I verily 
believe his plan respecting rare plants was — • 
first to dig up all the specimens he could see, 
and then note the locality. I highly revere the 
memory of my distinguished oountryman, and 
gratefully remember how riohly he contributed 
to my favourite science ; but the above men- 
tioned practice is, I should think, justly deserv- 
ing of censure.” 
In a, pencil note written many years after, Mr 
Gardiner eays — “ If true — but I now remove the 
’ oensure as premature.” But the paragraph 
stands, and is worth something towards the 
I elucidation of some of Don’s “ finds.” — I am, 
&c., Alex. P. Stevenson. 
