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It is not willingly that the following record of the successful labours of Mr. David Douglas in the field of natural history and of his lamented death has been so long withheld from the public; a circumstance the more to be regretted, because his melancholy fate excited a degree of interest in the scientific world which has rarely been equalled, especially towards one who had hitherto been almost as unknown to fame as to fortune. But the writer of this article was anxious to satisfy public curiosity by the mention of some further particulars than what related merely to Mr. Douglas's botanical discoveries; and this could scarcely be done but through the medium of those friends whose personal acquaintance was of long standing, and especially such as knew something of his early life. This has at length been accomplished through the kindness of Mr. Douglas's elder brother, Mr. John Douglas, and of Mr. Booth, the very skillful and scientific gardener at Carclew, the seat of of Sir Charles Lemon, Bart. It is to Mr. Booth, indeed, that I am indebted for almost all that relates to the subject of this memoir, previous to his entering the service of the Horticultural Society, and for the copies of some letters, as well as several particulars relative to his future career.

David Douglas was burn at Scone, near Perth, in 1799, being the son of John Douglas and Jean Drummond, his wife.