8 
PROCEEDINGS OF THE PERTHSHIRE SOCIETY OF NATURAL SCIENCE. 
they rest on'the leaves, and, holding on with only the last 
pair of legs, they stretch out the other three pairs ready 
to grasp any passer-by. On reaching skin they push in 
their beak and first pair of legs, and they are most difficult 
to remove entire. The head and legs are apt to be broken 
off and to remain, and frequently cause troublesome sores. 
A minute red mite, known in Amazonia by the name 
moeuim, is excessively abundant in the same localities as 
the ticks. It makes its presence known by causing small 
red swellings, on the top of which it may be discovered on 
close examination. Speedy relief is obtained by washing 
the swellings with spirits. The mite is nearly related to 
the harvest-mite (Leptus autumnalis) that is occasionally 
troublesome even in Scotland. 
2. “ The Life and Labours of a Scottish Botanist—George 
Don, of Forfar.'’’ By Mr John Knox, Forfar. 
Don, it appeared, was born after the middle of last 
century, and though of humble grade in life was so 
inspired with a love for Nature that neither reduced 
circumstances nor the hardship and toil whieh the pursuit 
of his studies over hill and dale, and by loch and riverside, 
inferred, could weaken the passion of his life. Of the 
vegetable and animal kingdom his knowledge was exact 
and extensive, and more than one of his discoveries were 
considered of value in the domain of botanic knowledge. 
After giving a short sketch of Don’s life previous to his 
settling down in Forfar, Mr Knox gave a description of the 
famous Forfar Botanic Gardens, and afterwards spoke of 
Don’s admission as a member of the Forfar Library, and of 
Forfar at the commencement of the century. Several 
reminiscences of the botanist’s rambles in search of flowers 
were given, and Mr Knox noticed his letter to Patrick 
Neill as to the decay of the Scotch fir, and his account of 
the native plants in the county of Forlar, and the animals 
to be found there, published in 1813. Don died at a com¬ 
paratively early age, and was buried in Forfar churchyard, 
but over his tomb there was no stone. Mr Knox fittingly 
closed his paper by asking whether nothing could be done 
by the votaries of his favourite science to mark the spot 
where he lies. 
[This paper is published in full in The Scottish Naturalist 
for 1881.] 
Thursday, February 7, 8 p.m. 
Dr Geikie, F.R.S., President, in the Chair. 
PROPOSED MICROSCOPICAL BRANCH. 
The Secretary read a letter from Mr Campbell, optician, 
requesting the Society to consider the advisability of form¬ 
ing a microscopical branch, and stated that the matter 
was under consideration. 
NOMINATION OF OFFICE-BEARERS. 
The following gentlemen were nominated as office¬ 
bearers for the session 1881-82 President, Dr Geikie, 
F.R.S.; Vice-Presidents, Rev. Dr Milroy, and Messrs 
Horace Skeete, A. B. Sandeman of Huntingtowerfield, 
and Robert Pullar, F.R.S.E. ; Secretary, Mr John 
Young, C.E., Tay Street; Treasurer, Mr John Mac- 
gregor, Post Office; Curator, Col. Drummond Hay, 
C.M.Z.S., of Seggieden; Editor, Dr Buchanan White, 
F.L.S.; Librarian, Mr George Young; Councillors, Messrs 
Andrew Coates, Magnus Jackson, and S. H. Ellison. 
NEW MEMBERS. 
Mr Campbell, optician, High Street, was unanimously 
elected, and the following gentlemen nominated as new 
members :—Messrs Patrick Geddes, Edinburgh; William 
Ellison, Robert Williamson, John Sydney Farqubarson, 
and William Hall, Perth. 
The Secretary intimated that the following donation 
had been received :—“ The Cobham Journals,” by Caroline 
Molesworth and E. A. Ormerod, from Miss Ormerod. Fire 
volumes of “ Sitzungberichte der K. K. Zoologisch- 
Botanischen Gesellschaft in Wien,” and the “Revue 
Bryologique,” had been received in exchange for the 
“Scottish Naturalist;” and “Illustrations of British 
Fungi ” had been purchased. 
THE PERTHSHIRE NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM. 
Dr Geikie, President, then addressed the meeting as 
follows :—Before we proceed to the reading of the 
papers set down for this evening, I have to ask your 
attention for a little, while I endeavour to correct 
certain misrepresentations, which are being industriously 
circulated with a view to prejudice the good folks of this 
town and county against our Museum scheme. I refer to 
an anonymous article which appeared a short time ago in 
a local newspaper, and which, as I understand, has been 
reprinted and widely distributed. The statements in that 
article have, I notice, already been called in question and 
refuted in the same newspaper, by a correspondent (who 
signs himself “ Truth”) with whose remarks I quite 
agree. “Truth” states, what is evident enough, that 
the writer of the article had two objects in view; namely, 
to extol and glorify the Literary and Antiquarian 
Society, and to decry and depreciate the Perthshire Society 
