“THE DOUGLAS FIR”

Greymouth Evening Star, 31 August 1934, Page 3

“THE DOUGLAS FIR”

CENTENARY OF A BOTANIST David Douglas, whose name is commemorated in the Douglas Fir, gave his life in. the Sandwich Islands, at the early age’ of thirty-six, in the pursuit of scientific knowledge which has benefited our country through the introduction of many new plants and trees (writes James Baird, F.S.A., Scot., in the ‘Weekly Scotsman’). Born in Scone, in Perthshire, in the year 1798, the son of a working mason, Douglas at an early age was apprenticed to a gardener, and in this occupation he had full scope for the development of his powers. Later he attracted the attention of Dr. (afterwards Sir) William Hooker, professor of botany, Glasgow University, and he was employed at the Glasgow Botanic Garden. The professor made him his companion while collecting materials for his ‘Flora Seotia,’ and in this way Douglas had ample opportunity of improving his knowledge of plants in the Western Highlands. The result was that Professor Hooker recommended ■> his talented assistant as a botanical collector to the Horticultural Society of London, by whom he was sent in 1823 to the United States for the purpose of enriching our home collection with choice specimens. Thereafter he was sent to explore the botanical resources of the country adjoining the Columbia River and southwards towards California. The vessel touched at Juan Fernandez, that romantic residence of Alexander Selkirk, and Douglas, who was delighted with its wild scenery and soil, sowed there a plentiful collection of garden seeds in the hope that any future Robinson Crusoe would be assisted by the produce.

VANCOUVER’S RICH TREASURES On April 7, 1825, he arrived at Vancouver, and here his fitness for the mission was tested by the . immense collections of seeds and, dried specimens which he transmitted to the society at home. Among his discoveries were several species of pine of enormous size, measuring 215 ft. in height and 58ft. in circumference. The “Douglas Fir” named after him has since been much in use for building. After spending two years in exploring the country in every direction he, in the spring of 1827, crossed the Rocky Mountains to Hudson’s Bay, whore he met Sir John Franklin, Di. Richardson, and Captain Back on their way' homeward from their second Arctic expedition, with whom he returned to Britain. After remaining in London for two years Mr. Douglas resumed his duties and set off on what proved to be his last scientific journey. He returned to the Columbia River in 1829 and, after some time spent in exploring among his former fields of research, he went to the Sandwich Islands. The inhabitants of these islands were in the habit of trapping wild bulls in pits dug for the purpose. Douglas one evening, after a few months’ residence, fell into one of these excavations in which an animal had been previously snared, and the fierce creature, already maddened by its captivity, fell upon him so that next morning he was found dead and his body dreadfully mangled. This tragical event occurred on July 12,

1834, and thus prematurely the life of this enterprising traveller and skilful botanist was cut short. The value of his discoveries it would be difficult to appreciate, as he introduced into our country almost all the new hardy plants that enrich our gardens. To this may be added many ornamented shrubs as well as valuable trees that adorn our plantations. To mention the plants alone, he introduced 33 of the woody and 143 of the herbaceous genus. David Douglas was therefore a benefactor to society at large, and it is well that we should remember the energetic botanist who benefited our country in such an important manner.