96 House, the brigade for the Columbia leave the Saslcatchawan, making a portage of 100 miles to Red-Deer river, which falls into the Atha- bane Lake : and as I still adhered to the resolution of accompanying them, I found it necessary to reduce my luggage ; and therefore left my specimens under charge of the gentlemen at Edmonton House, only taking Vi^ith me a small stock of linen, and a bale of paper. We crossed the portage in six days, without meeting with any serious accident. The horse, however, which carried my bale of paper, had the misfortune to fall in crossing Papina river, by which it was thoroughly soaked ; and as the expedition with which the brigade travels, precluded all hope of getting it dried by the way, I was under the unpleasant necessity of leaving it in a damp state until we got to Fort Assinaboyne, a small establishment of the com- pany upon Red-Deer river, where we spent two or three days, prepar- ing the canoe and cargo for our ascent of the river to the mountains. The second day after leaving Edmonton House brought us to the commencement of the woody country, which continues all the way to the Rocky Mountains. The trees consist of Popnlus balsamifera and trepida ; the white Spruce and Birch ; with Firms Banksiana occasion- ally in the drier situations, and more rarely P. bahamea. These are the only trees which occur north of this latitude ; though in some locali- ties and deep swamps the Finns nigra and microcarpa may be seen. It was now ascertained that the canoes were so heavily laden that it would be necessary for some of the party to go by land ; and I agreed to be one of these, in order to have the opportunity of seeing the country and judging of its productions. We quitted the Fort accordingly on the 1st or 2nd of October, and started in high spirits for a journey on horseback. A heavy fall of snow, which took place on the 4th, put, however, a final stop to collecting for this sea- son ; it also rendered our progress through these trackless woods very unpleasant ; our horses soon became jaded, when our only alter- native was to walk, and drive them before us : to add to our misfor- tunes, the animals were continually sinking in the swamps, from which we found it no easy task to extricate them. However, we reached Jasper's House on the 11th day, having travelled a distance of two hundred miles since we left Assinaboyne Fort ; all the party being in perfect health. [To be Co7itimied.] 95 [TAB. XXVI.] ON THE BOTANICAL CHARACTERS OF THE SUGAR CANE, WITH REMARKS ON ITS CUL- TIVATION. By James Macfadyen, M. D., Jamaica. SACCHARUM OFFICINARUM, {Sugar Cane.) Triandria Digynia. Nat. Orel. GRAMiNEyp,. Gen. Char. Spiciila geminae, altera sessilis, altera pcdi- cellata, omnes hermaphroditoe, uniflora?, (biflonv, * Jh\) Gluma duae, coriacea?. Flos hermaphroditus : Falccc diia? hyalinse, inferior mutica aut aristata, Br.) Paha (flos neuter univalvis, Br.) iinica, mutica. Kunth. Saccharum officinarum ; panicula effusa, ramis numcrosissi- mis verticillatis, glumis subacqualibus lanugine breviori- bus, foliis planis glabris. (Tab. XXVI.) Saccharum officinarum. Linn. Sp. PL p. 79. Jfilld. Sjj. PI. V. 1. /?. 381. Humh. et Kunth Nov. Gen. v. \. p. 146. Spreng. Syst. Veget. v. \. p. 281. Arundo saccharifera. Sloans Jam. v. \. p. 108. t. QG. Rumph. Herb. Amb. v. \. p. 186. f. 74. f. 1. Hab. In India orientali? Colitur fere ubique inter tropicos. This precious plant, so especially valuable in a commercial point of view, is supposed to be a native of the East Indies. The Chinese date the cultivation of the Sugar Cane to periods of the most remote antiquity: but Dr. Roxburgh ascertained that the Sugar Cane of China was different iVom S. officinarum^ and he has published it as the S. sinense. From the East Indies it was carried by merchants, towards the * " Spiculas bifloras esse vix dubito, quainquain i" speciminibua slccin cat despicere non potui." — Kunth. VOL. I. H FOR OFFICIAL USE. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Bulletin of Miscellaneous Information No. I 1936 CONTENrs PAGE I— Contribatlons to the Flora of Tropical America: XXV - 1 II— Addition to the Flora of Cyprus: II - - - 16 III — Contributions to the Flora of Borneo and other Malay Islands: V - - - 17 IV — Spartina Townsendli nendocinensis Gill, ex Hook, et Arn. 3, 310. Origanum laxifloriim Royle ex Benth. 3, 376. Orthosiphon pallidus Royle ex Benth. 3, 370. Oxalis adenophylla Gill. 3, 165. andicola Gill. 3, 161. compacta Gill. 3, 162. erythrorhiza Gill. 3, 162. geminata Hook, et Arn. 3, 163. lineata Gill. 3, 162. macrorrhiza Gill. 3, 162. platypila Gill. 3, 163. subacaulis Gill. 3, 163. Oxleya A. Cunn. 1, 246, gen. nov. (Meliaceae) — now reduced to Flindersia R. Br. (1814). Oxleya xanthoxyla A. Cunn. 1, 246. Panicum aristatum Macfad. 2, 115. Passiflora reiitsa Hook, et Am. 3, 325. Pentacaena ramosissima Hook, et Arn. 3, 338 : Loeflingia ramosissitna Weinm. Phaca Arnottiana GUI. 3, 184. canescens Hook, et Arn. 3, 185. ,, carinata Hook, et Am. 3, 185. ,, coqiiimbensis Hook, et Arn. 3, 184. ,, Cruckshanksii Hook, et Arn. 3, 184. elata Hook, et Am. 3, 185. flava Hook, et Am. 3, 186. inflata Gill. 3, 183. ochroleuca Hook, et Am. 3, 186. Phaseolus amoenus Macfad. 2, 113. vestitus Hook. 2, 216. Phloftiis bracteosa Royle ex Benth. 3, 383. cashmeriana Rovle ex Benth. 3, 382. cordata Royle ex Benth. 3, 382. lamiifolia Royle ex Benth. 3,383. latifolia Royle ex Benth. 3, 383. simplex Royle ex Benth. 3, 382" Plectrocarpa Gill, ex Hook, et Arn. 3, 166, gen. nov. (Zygophyllaceae). Plectrocarpa tetracaniha Gill. 3, 167. Pleuropkora polyandra Hook, et Arn. 3, 315. pusilla Hook, et Am. 3, 315. Poinciana Gilliesii Hook. 1, 129. Poly gala spinescens Gill. 3, 146. Portulaca pilosissima Hook. 2, 220. Prenanthes subdentata Hook. 2, 221. Prosopis astringens Gill, ex Hook. 3, 204. ephedrioides Gill, ex Hook. 3, 204. globosa Gill, ex Hook. 3, 205. humilis Gill, ex Hook. 3, 204. sericantha Gill, ex Hook. 3, 204. Psidium amygdalinum Hook, et Arn. 3, 317. Psoralea Higuerilla Gill, ex Hook. 3, 181. Psychotria pyrifolia Hook, et Arn. 3, 360. trifolia Hook, et Arn. 3, 359. Pyrenacantha volubilis Wight 2, 107. Ranunculus trisepalus Gill, ex Hook. 3, 133. Retanilla stricta Hook, et Arn. 3, 173. trinervia Hook, et Arn. 3, 174 : Trevoa trinervia Gill, et Hook. Rhexia heterophylla Hook, et Am. 3, 316. Rhynchosia tnendacinensis Gill, ex Hook. et Arn. 3, 199. ,, Senna Gill, ex Hook, et Am. 3, 199. ,, sericea Gill, ex Hook, et Am. 3, 199. Ribes cucuUatum Hook, et Arn. 3, 340. Rubia Haenkeana Gill, ex Hook, et Arn. 3, 363. intricata Hook, et Arn. 3, 362. ,, mucronata Hook, et Arn. 3, 363 : Galium mucronatum Ruiz et Pav. pusilla Gill, ex Hook, et Am. 3, 363. Richardiana Gill, ex Hook, et Am. 3, 362. Ruellia floribunda Hook. 2, 236. Sageretia trinervis Gill, ex Hook. 3, 172. Salvia hians Royle ex Benth. 3, 373. strictiflora Hook. 2, 234. Sarothra Drummondii Grev. et Hook. 3, 236. Schinus ternifolius GUI. ex Hook. 3, 177. Senecio volubilis Hook. 2, 226. Seseli Gilliesii Hook, et Arn. 3, 354. Sicyos Baderoa Hook, et Arn. 3, 324. Sida Arnottiana GiU. ex Hook. 3, 154. ceratocarpa Hook, et Arn. 3, 154. densiflora Hook, et Arn. 3, 155. Grevilleana Gill, ex Hook. 3, 154. ,, picta Gill, ex Hook. 3, 154. Silene andicola Gill. 3, 147. Sisymbrium Arnottianum Gill, ex Hook. 3, 138. frutescens Gill, ex Hook. 3, 139. leptocarpum Hook, et Am. 3, 139. sagittatum Hook, et Arn. 3, 139. 93 Chile, 2, 529 (1826), appeared there as a nomen nudum. Actually the first description was published 3 years later by Hooker in Hook. Bot. Misc. 1, 158 (September 1829). Wight's " Illustrations of Indian Botany," which appeared in Hook. Bot. Misc. 2, 90-110 (after 22 Oct., 1830), 344-360 (autumn? 1831), 3, 84-104 (spring? 1832), 291-302 (1 March, 1833), was reprinted, under the same title, at Glasgow (Curll & Bell), the title- page bearing the date 1831. This date evidently refers only to the first part of the reprint, which must necessarily have appeared in instalments. In the Bradley BibliogTaph}^ 1, 471, the date of the reprint is given as 1831 [-33]. The copy seen by Pritzel, Thesaurus, ed. 2, n. 10243 included pp. 1-70, tt. i-xix, xxi-xli, which originally appeared in the Botanical Miscellany during the period 1830-33. A copy, presented by George Bidie to Sir J. D. Hooker, and now in the Library of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, ends with p. 58 and t. xxxii, the last instalment being missing. This shows that the title-page was issued before the completion of the reprint. Advantage was taken, when reprinting, to adjust the text slightly. Thus the accounts of Pterospermiim suherifolium, p. 45, Bryophyllwn calycinwn, p. 55,- and Butea frondosa, p. 57, begin at the top of the page, instead of some distance down as in the " Botanical IMiscellany," while the description of Villarsia macro- phylla, pp. 51-52, and the general remarks, pp. 53-54, are adjusted so that the former ends at the bottom of p. 52, and the latter begin at the top of p. 53. The continuation of the " Illustrations of Indian Botany " pubhshed in Hook. Journ. Bot. 1, 62-67, 225-231 (1834) does not appear to have been reprinted. WILLIAM JACKSON HOOKER, LL.D., F.R.A. & L.S., &c. &c. REGIUS PROFESSOR OF BOTANY IN THE UNIVFBSITT OF GLASGOW. LIBRA 11. 3, 147. •Uurop^ora folyanira Hook. ,3a^^^^_ ^^^^ ^^ ^^„ ^oinciana GiUiesH Hook. 1, ^9 ^^ ^olvgala spinescens Gill. 6, I4b 139 3 139. sagittatnm Hook, et Arn. 3, ^olygala spinescens ^^^^- "^ ---^^^ 139. oortulaca pUosissima Hook. 2, 220. 93 BOTANICAL MISCELLANY; CONTAINING FIGURES AND DESCRIPTIONS OF SUCH PLANTS AS RECOMMEND THEMSELVES BY THEIR NOVELTY, RARITY, OR HISTORY, OB BT THE USES TO WHICH THEY ARE APPLIED IN THE ARTS, IN MEDICINE, AND IN DOMESTIC CECONOMY; TOGETHER WITH OCCASIONAL BOTANICAL NOTICES AND INFORMATION. BY WILLIAM JACKSON HOOKER, LL.D., F.R.A. & L.S., &c. &c. REGIUS PROFESSOR OF BOTANY IN THE UNIVERSITY OF GLASGOW. LIBRARY VOL. I. NEV/ YORK BOTANICAL OAKDEN LONDON: JOHN MURRAY, ALBEMARLE -STREET. MDCCCXXX. f:i4!. i t-^l \\ -^ TO THE HONOURABLE THE COUKT OE DIRECTORS or THE EAST INDIA COMPANY. AS A TESTIMONY OF THE IMPORTANT SERVICES RENDERED IV S C I E N C E IX THEIR PRINCELY PAVRONAOiE OF BOTANY, BY WHICH THE PLANTS OF THE VAST POSSESSIONS I Nin U THEIR SWAY, HAVE BEEN MADE KNOWN AND :\tlNIFlCENTLY DISTKIBITED THROlOHOir IHF WHOIK Cn ILl/EO WOKIP. THE PRESENT WOUK IS Dr.nUWTI-n. Wiril SENTIMENTS OF THE HIGHEST ADMIRATION AND ESTEEM. HV rilElR OBEDIENT AXP \ KUV lU'Mr.l.E SKK\ ANV. W. .1. HOOKER, LI., n. KEO.U'S rROVKSSOK iM' liv>»AN\ IN tllK lIMVKHSlrV OK UI.ASt:OX« % i SPIRIDENS REINWARDTII. Cryptogamia Musci. Nat. Ord. Musci. Gen. Char. (Spiridens, Nees.) Seta lateralis. Peristomhm duplex: ext. e dentibus 16, subulatis, spiraliter involutis : int. e ciliis \Q^ remotiusculis, subulatis, linea media notatis atque apicem versus perforatis. Calyptra dimidiata. Spiridens Remwardtii. (Tab. I.) Spiridens Reinwardtii. Nees von Esenheck^ in Nov. Act. Acad. vol. 11. p. U4. /. 17. A. Hab. In summo monte ignivomo Tidor, Moluccarum minorum insula. Reimoardt. Caides subcaespitosi, basi densissinie ferrugineo-tomentosi, pedales et ultra, erecti, ramosi ; ramis subsimplicibus non raro subsecimdis. Folia undique inserta, patentia, flavo-viridia, subsquarrosa, infe- riora prsecipue, ovato-lanceolata, longe angusteque acuminata, rigidiuscula, membranacea, substriata, basi amplexicaulia, mar- gine incrassata, acute serrata. Perichatialia : exteriora erecta, ovato-acuminata, enervia; snperiora longiora, convoluta, longe cuspidato-acuminata, vix serrulata. Seta lateralis, perbrevis, pe- richastio immersa. Capsida obliqua, ovato-oblonga, fusca, laevis. Calyptra conico-acuminata, hinc lateraliter fissa. Operculum co- nico-subulatum, capsula dimidio brevius. Peristoma externi denies sedecim, longi, lineari-lanceolati, fnlvi, transversim striati, madore erecti, siccitate basi reflexi, dein spiraliter involuti ; iiiterni cilia his paulo breviora, erecta, conniventia, libera, subulata, transver- sim striata, linea media longitudinali notata, atque versus apicem medio perforata, basi membrana reticulata, flava, exserta unita. Columella subcylindracea, apice dilatata, massam spongiosum, re- cvi ticulatam, ovato-acuminatam sustinens. Semina minutissima. sphaerica. My valued friend Dr. Nees von Esenbcck, has been so obliging as to send me fine specimens of this most noble of all Mosses, which he has ably illustrated both hy figures and VOL. I. B descriptions in the work above quoted. That author suspects that the Bartramia gigantea of Schwaegrichen's Suppl. v. ii. t. 63. may belong to the same genus as the present ; but as the fruit of that plant is unknown, this point cannot at pre- sent be determined. The character of this genus, as its name implies, is de- pendent upon the spirally involute nature of the teeth of the peristome, as seen when dry ; in this particular bearing much affinity with the Taylor'ia splachnoides. In other respects the essential characters are scarcely different from those of Hypnum, from which however it may be distinguished by its habit ; and in that it is more nearly allied to the Barlrarnicc. Fig. 1. Plant {nat. size). Fig. 2. Leaf. Fig. 3. Perichsetium and cap- sule, with its calyptra. Fig. 4. Operculum. Fig. 5. Peristome. Fig. 6. Teeth of the outer ; and Fig. 7. Teeth of the inner peri- stome. Fig. 8. Portion of the columella with the spongy extre- mity which filled the operculum. Fig. 9. Seeds : — more or less magnified. 3 BRYUM GILLIESII. Cryptogamia Musci. Nat. Ord. Musci. Gen. Char. Seta terminalis. Peristomium duplex : ext. sedecini-den- tatum ; int. e membrana sedecim-laciniata, nunc ciliis interpositis. Calyptra dimidiata. Bryum Gilliesii ; caespitosa ramosa, foliis ovatis concavis obtusis inte- gerrimis grosse reticulatis, nervo integro, capsula inclinata una cum apophysi pyriformi, operculo brevi-conico. (Tab. II.) Hab. In terram ad radices montium in Andibus, prope Mendozam. D. Gillies. Caiiles sublaxe casspitosi, inferne radiculosi, semiunciam longi, erecti, rubicundi, subramosi. Rami dichotomi, non raro ex innova- tionibus orti. Folia subarcte imbricata, erecta, fere exacte ovata, concava, valde obtusa, integerrima, succulenta, laxe reticulata, pallide viridia, nervo valido, usque ad apicem attingente, in- structa. Seta terminalis, semipoUicaris, lasvis. Capsula inclinans una cum apopliysi fere exacte pyrilormis, primum viridis, demum luteo-fusca. Calyptra juvenis fere cyiindracea, hinc Jateraliter fissa. Operculum conicum, vel conico-hemisphaericum, obtusum. Peristomium externum e dcntibus sedecim, acuminatis, brevius- culis, aureo-fuscis ; internum e membrana flava reticulata, sedecim- laciniata, laciniis remotis, erectis, angustis, strictis, ciliis interpo- sitis nullis. From a view of the capsule and kaves alone of this curious little Moss, there are few botanists but would pronounce it to belong to the genus Splachnum : but it is altogether a ter- restrial plant, and appears to grow in a very dry and arid soil; and on carefully removing the operculum and the outer teeth of the peristome, the inner laciniated membrane comes to view, showing it to belong to the genus Bryum, or that division of it called Pohlia by many authors, wanting the interposed ciliae to the inner peristome : and thus bearing the same rc- B 2 lation to Bryum, as Leskea does to Hypnum. This mode of structure too, both in Pohlia and Leskea is generally, but unfortunately not always, accompanied by an erect capsule. We are, however, now acquainted with many species which have interposed ciliae, so minute and imperfect that it would be difficult to say to which division the species possessing them should belong:. In regard to the individual here figured, it is totally unlike any species of Bryum hitherto described ; and I have much pleasure in dedicating it to my friend Dr. Gillies, its disco- verer, whose botanical collections, made in a previously un- explored part of South America, are destined to afford some of the most interesting materials of the present publication. Fig. 1. Plants {nat. size). Fig. 2. Single plant. Fig. 3. Leaf. Fig. 4. Calyptra. Fig. 5. Teeth of the outer peristome. Fig. 6. Portion of the inner peristome: — 7nore or less mag^iijied. ASTELIA ALPINA. Hexandria Monogynia. Nat. Ord. Inter Asphodeleas et JuNCEAS. Br. Gen. Char. (Astelia. Banks et Soland.) Mores polygami-dioici. Herm. Masc. Perianthium sexpartitum, semiglumaceum. Sta- mina Q, imo perianthio inserta. Pistillum imperfectum. Herm. Fcem. Perianthium ut in masculo, persistens. Stamina imperfecta. Ovarium triloculare v. uniloculare, placentis tribus parietalibus : polyspermum. Stylus 0. Stigmata 3, obtusa. Bacca 1 — 3-locu- laris, polysperma. Herbae hahitu fere Tillandsiae, et pariter supra arborum truncos vivos V. emortuos quandoque jparasiticcc. Radix ^iro5a. Folia radicalia trifariam imbricata, lanceolato-linearia v. ensiformia, carinata, villis appressis, compressis, utrinque subtusve instructa, basibus seri- ceo-lanatis. Caulis nullus v. brevis, paucifolius. Flores racemosi v. paiiiculati, raro subsolitarii, pedicellis inarticidatis, basi unibrac- teatis, parvi, extus sericei. — Br. in Fl. Nov. Holl. Astelia alpi7ia ,• foliis strictis utrinque sericeis, racemo infra diviso, I'acemulis paucifloris, baccis ovalibus unilocularibus, perianthiis sexpartitis. Br. (Tab. III.) Astelia alpina. Br. in Prodr. Fl. Nov. Holl. v. \. p.29\. Smith in Bees' Cycl. Spreng. Syst. Veget. v. 2. p. 144. Hab. Insula Van Dieman, Brown, — in summitatem montis Welling- ton, alt. 4000 ped. Fraser. Radix fibrosa (Br.). Caidis perbrevis, fere nullus, e basibus vaginan- tibus fuscis foliorum formatus, atque pilis albis, longis, numero- sissimis pulcherrime sericeis, densissime obsitus. Folia fere omnino radicalia, pedalia et ultra, semiunciam lata, linearia, acu- minata, basi lata, vaginantia, costata, striata, inferne carinata, utrinque sed subtus praecipue, sericeo-villosa. Scapus radicalis ( ? ), in meis exemplaribus foliis brevior, densis- sime albo-sericeus, racemo compacto paniculalo terminatus. Pc- dunculi bracteis foliaceis bi-quadri-pollicaribus sulfulti. Flores foc- mineos solummodo vidi. Hi bracteati, bractea lanceolata, sericea. Perianthium profunde sexpartitum, laciniis lanccolatis subina-qua- libus, subglumaceis, fuscis, extus sericeis. Stamina minuta, abor- tiva, laciniis opposita. Germen, vel Bacca^ vix matura, oblono-a, glabra, stigmatibus tribus obtusis sessilibus terminata, unilocularis, trivalvis ? Beceptacula tria, filiformia, parietalia. Stamina imma- tura plurima, pedicellata. The specimens from which I have been able to make the ac- companying drawing and description of this plant, were com- municated to me, along with very many other rare Australasian plants, from the summit of Mount Wellington in Van Die- man's Isle, where it grows at an elevation of 4000 feet above the level of the sea, forming densely matted patches. No figure can give an idea of its beauty, clothed as it is with white extremely dense silky hairs in almost every part, more espe- cially on the sheathing bases of the leaves. The general aspect of the Astelia is not otherwise very dissimilar to our Luzula maxima, and Mr. Brown regards the genus as intermediate between the AsphodelecE and Juncece,. At the same time that illustrious botanist observes that it approaches to the Til- landsKE, and like them is sometimes parasitic upon the trunks of trees. Mr. Brown mentions at least one other species, as existing in New Zealand ; and a third, Sir James E. Smith has described from the collection of Mr. Menzies, made in the Sandwich Islands, {A. Mejiziesiana, Sm.), which differs essentially from the present individual in having a trilocular berry, and may, on that account, prove to be distinct as to genus ; but in habit the two plants are almost exactly the same ; and as I am in possession of beautiful specimens, given to me by Mr. Menzies, I shall take the opportunity of figuring the A. Menzicsiana in this work. The Melanthium pumilum of Forster is also considered to belong to the pre- sent genus. Fig. 1. Perianth, with one segment cut away, and the germen removed from a female flower, to show the abortive stamens. Fig. 2. Ger- men. Fig. 3. Inner view of a portion of the same, to show the parietal receptacle and the ovules: — magnijicd. MUTISIA ILICIFOLIA. Syngenesia Superflua. Nat. Ord. Composit-^, Div. La- BiATiFLOR.*, DeC. Perdicie.^e, Spreng. Gen. Char. Involncrim cylindricum imbricatum, squamosum ; squamis latis. Beceptaculum nudum. Flosculi, t//5cz hermaphroditi, tubulosi, 5-dentati, demum in lacinias 2 — 5 aquales, vel in tres inajquales fissi ; AnthercE bisetos^e ; radii foeminei, bilabiati ; labio inferiore ligulam referente, tridentato, superiore minore bipartite, (raro in- tegro V. nullo); rudimenta filamentorum 5. Papptis plumosus. Mutisia ilicifolia; glabra scandens, foliis amplexicaulibus cordato-ova- libus spinoso-dentatis reticulatis cirrhiferis, pedunculis unifloris. (Tab. IV.) Mutisia ilicifolia. Cav. Ic. 5. p. 6^. t. 493. Willd. Sp. PL v. 3. p. 2069. Pers. Spi. PL v. 2. p. 453. Spreng. Syst. Veget. v. 3. p. 505. Hab. Prope villam Vicenziam, in Chili. Z). Cruickshanks. Caulis ramosus ? scandens, angulatus, angulis subalatis nunc spinosis. Folia sesquipoUicaria, remota, alterna, patentia, nunc reflexa, coriacea, ovalia, basi cordata, amplexicaulia, apice truncata, mar- gine repande dentato-spinosa ; reticulata, glabra, costa in cirrlio longo simplici terminata. Pedunculus terminalis, solitarius, uni- florus. Flos magnus, speciosus. Involucrum cylindraceum ; squamis imbricatis, late-ovatis, membranaceis, appendice lanceo- lata coriacea terminatis, infimis reflexis, supremis inappendicu- latis, apice tomentosis. Flosculi, radii foeminei, duas uucias longi, sanguinei, inferne tubulosi, apice ligulati, subbilabiati, labio exteriore, seu ligula, apice tridentato, interiore minutissimo erecto bifido: ore rudimentis staminum quinque. Gcrmcn ob- longum, glabrum, pappo longo plumose basi unito terminatum. Stylus flosculo brevior. Stigma inaqualiter bifidum. Floscidi, disci hermapliroditi, bilabiati, labia exteriore ligulato, recurvato, tridentato, interiore bipartite, laciniis arete revolutis. Stamina prope medium tubi inserta. Anthercc exsertae, flava?, basi biaris- tatse. Pistillum ut in focmineo : ad basin styli vagina cylindracea (fig. 3.) _ Among the Composito' there arc few plants more remarkalile for the beauty of their flowers, and their varied and singular 8 foliage, than the MutisKE. One species, the M. speciosa, has been cultivated at the Royal Gardens at Kew, and figured in the Botanical Magazine, at the first plate of the New Se- ries of that work ; but as it has pinnated leaves, somewhat similar to those of a Vicia, the plant assumes an appearance very unlike the present individual. For representations of other MutisicB, we are hitherto indebted almost whollv to Cavanilles and Humboldt. I intend to make known, by this work, some interesting species which I have received from my valuable correspond- dents W. Cruickshanks, Esq. of Valparaiso, and Dr. Gillies of Mendoza ; and I shall esteem myself happy thus to be the means of recommending them to the horticulturist, as no plants can be more worthy of a place in our stoves. Fig. 1. Floret of the ray. Fig. 2. Floret of the disk. Fig. 3. Ease of the style to show the sheath which surrounds it. Fig. 4. Base of an anther : — more or less magnified. MUTISIA RUNCINATA. Mutisia runcinata ; foliis lanceolatis runcinatis decurrentibus cirrhosis, subtus albo-tomentosis. (Tab. V.) Mutisia runcinata. Willd. Sp. PI. v. 3. p. 2069. Sprejig. Sijst. Veget. V. 3. p. 505. Mutisia retrorsa. Cav. Ic. 5. p. 65. t. 498. Pcrs. Syyi. PI. v. 2. p. 453. Hab. Apud Quebradas, prope villam Vicenziam in Chili. Z). Gillies. Caulis frutescens, scandens, flexuosus, angulatus, foliis decurrentibus alatus. Folia alterna, rigidiuscula, lanceolata, runcinata, basi utrinque in alas decurrentia, supra glabra, subtus albo-tomentosa, apice cirrho simplici terminata. Flores ad apicem ramorum terminales. Involiicrum ovato-cylindraceum, squamis infimis par- vis, reflexis, reliquis magnis, erectis, ovatis, submembranaceis. "Corollae radii lineares, tridentatae." {Willd.) The leaves of this species are deeply runciiiate, and form a striking contrast in the dark colour of their upper surface with the white of the lower side. In the specimens which Dr. Gillies has been so kind as to send me of this plant, the florets of the circmnference are wanting ; they are probably similar to those of J/. ilicifoUa. MUTISIA INFLEXA. Mutisia injlcxa ,- scandens, caule tereti aiigulato, foliis angustolineari- bus cirrhosis sessilibus, marginibus revolutis. (Tab. VI.) ^lutisia intlexa. Cav. Ic. 5. p. Q5. t. 498. Willd. Sp.PL v. S. p. COTO. Pers. Si/n. PI. v. 2. p. 4^53. Sprcng. Si/st. J't'gff. r. S. p. 505. Hab. Apud " Alto del Pueute " in Chili. D. Cruickshanks. Caulis scandens, glaber, nunc subarachnoideo-tomentosus, angiilatus, flexuosus. Folia glabra, vel ad basin subtomentosa, duas ad quatuor uncias longa, directione varia, non rai'o detlexa, vel basi detlexa sursum curvata, omnia angusto-linearia, vel subtilitbrmia, sessilia, marginibns revolutis, apice in cirrho attenuaui. Flos magnus, terniinalis; squamis infimis involucri solummodo aj">- pendice acuminatis reflexis, reliquis obtusis erectis imbricatis. Flares radii Havi. Cavanilles describes the leaves of this species as deflexed at the base, which indeed is the case with some of my speci- mens from Mr.Cruickshanks; but then it appears to be owing to the pendent direction of the branches, whence the leaves take a curvature upwards to meet the light, for other branches have not this peculiar disposition of their foliage. Again, Willdenow describes the margins of the leaf as involute, " ac si inversa essent :" but they are certainly rcvohitc, if my spe- cies be the same as Willdcnow's and Cavanilles's. 10 MUTISIA SUBSPINOSA. Mutisia subspinosa ; scandens, caule alato, foliis lineari-lanceolatis den- tato-spinosis basi decurrentibus apice cirrhosis. (Tab. VII.) Mutisia subspinosa. Cav. Ic. 3. p. 64. t. 495. Willd. Sp. PL v. 3. p. 2070. Pers. Syn. PL v. 2. p. 453. Spreng. Syst. VegeL v. 3. p. 505. Mutisia sinuata. Cav. Ic. 5. p. 66. t. 499. Spreng. Syst. VegeL v. 3. p. 505. Hab. Prope villain Vicenziam in Chili. D. Gillies et CruicJcshanks. Caulis tripedalis, scandens, flexuosus, angulatus, utrinque late alatus ; alls sinuato-spinosis. Folia subcoriacea, pallide viridia, glabra, lineari-lanceolata, basi latiora, utrinque longe decurrentia, apice sensim in cirrho simplici attenuata, margine subsinuato-dentata, dentibus spinulosis, nunc omnino integerrima, et, non raro, vix decurrentia. Flores magni, speciosi, terminales, solitarii. Invo- lucrum fere bipollicare, squamis imbricatis, inferioribus appendi- culatis, infimis appendicibus reflexis. Flosculi radii pulcherrimi, aurei, apice tridentati. This is perhaps the most beautiful of the simple-leaved Afu- tisi(B. It is hardly possible to conceive a more desirable plant for our hothouses ; and it is doubly recommended by the singularity of its foliage. Unquestionably the species, judging from the specimens that have been sent me by Dr. Gillies and Mr. Cruickshanks, is liable to vary in the more or less deeply toothed or even entire margins of the leaves, and in the pre- sence, absence, or breadth of the wings of the stem. Hence I am inclined to think that the M. sinuata of Cavanilles is scarcely distinct from this species. Dr. Gillies observes^ that this and all the family of Mutisicc are known in the language of the country by the name of Estrella. 11 MUTISIA LINEARIFOLIA. Mutisia lincarifolia ; scandens ( ? ) caule tereti, foliis linearibus aplce acutis rigidis subspinosis vectis vel uncinatis, marginibus revolutis. (Tab. VIII.) Mutisia linearifolia. Cav. Ic. 5. p. 66. t. 500. Willd. Sp. PL v. 3. p. 2071. Pers. Syn. PL v. 2. |j. 453. Spreiig, Si/st. Veget. v. 3. p. 505. Hab. Apud " Alto de la Laguna " et " Los Ojos de Agua," in de- scensu Cordillerae versus regnum Chilense. Fl. Martio. D. Gillies. Caulis flexuosus, scandens ? fruticosus, ut et tota planta, glaberrimus, vix angulatus, pallide fuscus. Folia conferta, undique inserta, non raro subsecunda, sesquiunciam longa, pallide viridia, linearia, sessilia, margine revoluta, apice acutissima, subspinosa, recta, saepe uncinata, sed non omnino cirrhosa. Flos magnus pulcher- rimus. Involucri squamcB infimae acuminatae, reflextc, reliquae ob- tusas. Flosculi disci, ut videtur, lutei, longi, apice tridentati, labio interiore distincto bipartite. Pappus albus. It is evident that in this and probably in all the other species, the florets of the disk are at first tubular, bursting at the ex- tremity into five teeth. Generally, two of these teeth, sepa- rating still lower down, become revolute, while the portion having the three terminal teeth is bent back ; hence the bila- biate corolla is formed, such as is represented at Tab. IV.y*. 2. It must be allowed that this species (which I think is the same as the M. linearifolia of Cavanilles, notwithstanding the disposition of the foliage to become cirrhose) approaches very nearly to the M. inflexa Tab. VI. Here, however, the leaves are shorter and broader, and never terminated by an actual tendril. The stems, too, are more robust ; less, if at all, scandent ; the leaves more crowded ; and the flowers larger. 12 MUTISIA LINIFOLIA. Mutisia linifolia ,• caule fruticoso erectiusculo, follis confertis anguste lineari-lanceolatis planis. (Tab. IX.) Hab. El Camino de las Minas de Uspallata. Fl. Martio. D. Gillies. Frutex, ut videtur, parva, basi decumbens, dein erecta, ramosa, ramis erectis. Folia undique inserta, conferta, ubique glaberrima, erecta, vel erecto-patentia, semiunciam fere ad duas uncias longa. Flores oblongi, fere sessiles et foliis subimmersi. Involucrum fusco-cas- taneurn, cylindraceum, squamis omnibus scariosis oblongis erectis, imbricatis, appressis. Flosculi radii desunt in meis exemplaribus, disci involucre paulo longiores, erecti, bilabiati, siccitate flavi. This singular species of Mutisia was gathered by Dr. Gil- lies, near the celebrated mines of Uspallata in South America, and proves quite different from any hitherto described. It forms a small shrub, with numerous branches, and leaves not unlike those of Linmn maritimum ; or if the flowers be taken in conjunction with the leaves, it bears a striking resemblance to some of the smaller Cape ProteacecB. The margins of the foliage are not in the slightest degree revo- lute, nor is there the least appearance of a tendril, or even of a hardened point at the extremity of the leaves. 13 JUNGERMANNIA SERRULATA (3. Cryptogamia Hepatic-e. Nat. Ord. Hepatic/E. Gen. Char. Reccptaadum commune nullum. Calyx monophyllus, tubulosus, (raro nullus). Capsula 4-valvis, seta caljce lonfriore. Jungermannia serrulata ; caule erectiusculo ramoso, foliis distichis patentibus emarginato-bifidis conduplicatis marginibus imbricatis spinuloso-dentatis, stipulis his similibus sed minoribus planius- culis, calyce terminal! oblongo subplicato acuminate, ore dentaio. (Tab. X.) Jungermannia serrulata. Hook, Brit. Jung. t. 88. /3. purpurea. Hab. jS. In Brasilia, prope Rio Janeiro. D. BurcJiell. Caules laxe caespitosi, suberecti dichotome ramosi, non raro proliferi, duas vel tres uncias longi. Folia pulcherrime purpurea, vix lineam longa, patentia, suborbiculata, longitudinaliter condupli- cata, lateribus incurvis imbricatis remote dentato-spinulosis, apice emarginato-bifida, minute reticulata, areolis oblongis. Stipidcc rotundatae, planiusculse apice bifidae, marginibus spinuloso-den- tatis. Calyx terminalis, foliis perichaetialibus laciniatis basi cinctus, sesquilineam longus, oblongus, purpureus, subplicatus, versus apicem prsecipue, ore breviter laciniato. Frudum non vidi, sed intra calycem, germen oblongum parvum stylo terminatum, pis- tilla abortiva tria vel quatuor gerens. Among several very interesting plants obligingly communi- cated to me by Mr. Burchell from Rio Janeiro, is the present beautiful variety of a species, which has already been found in Jamaica and in the Isle of France. It appears therefore to have a widely extended geographical range. Fig. 1. Plants {nat. size). Fig. 2. Portion with the calyx, and seen from the anterior side. Fig. 3. Portion of the stem and leaves, seen from the posterior side. Fig. 4. Single leaf. Fig. 5. Sti- pule. Fig. 6. Portion of a leaf. Fig. 7. Pistil bearing other abortive pistils : — magnijicd. 14 USNEA EASCIATA. Cryptogamia Lichenes. Nat. Ord. Lichenes. Gen. Char. Apotliecia orbiculata, terminalia, peltata, a thallo for- mata ejusque substantia cortical! similari undique obtecta, am- bitu immarginato, plerumque ciliato. Thallus subcrustaceus te- retiusculus ramosus substantia elastica filiformi hyalina centrali percussus. — Ach. Usneajasciata ; ramosissima tuberculato-scabra flavo-virescens, ramis repetitim dichotomis proliferis saepissime nigro-fasciatis ultimis lateralibusque numerosissimis capiliaceo-attenuatis, apotheciis he- mispliEericis nudis brunneis extus tuberculatis. (Tab. XI.) Usnea fasciata. Torrey in Silliman^s American Journ. of Sc. v. 6. cum ic. {absq. apotheciis.) Hab. In rupibus antarcticis Novae Zetlandiae meridionalis. — In Nova HoUandia, locis alpinis ? TJiallus csespitosus, erectus, 3 — 4-uncialisj erectus, ramosissimus, flavo- virescens, ramis repetitim dichotomis magis minusve tuberculoso- scabridis atque proliferis, raraulis minutis gracilibus simplicibus filiformi-attenuatis vel ramosis subhorizontalibus, e latere egredi- entibus, ramis ultimis saepe nigro-fasciatis attenuatis. Apothecia terminalia peltata, primum parva, globosa, demum hemisphaerica, semiunciam diametro, intus fusca, extus e thallo formata, minute tuberculata. W. Edwards, Esq., who accompanied in a medical capacity the first and second expeditions sent to discover a north-west passage, was so obliging as to procure the fine specimen here represented of the antarctic Usnea, on which some observa- tions will be offered under the following species. Fig. 1. Plant {nat. size). Fig. 2. Portion: — magnified. 15 USNEA SPHACELATA. Usnea spliacelata ; thallo erectiusculo fruticuliformi, ramis primariis ochroleiicis nigro-vittatis laevibus, ultimis attenuatis nigris, sorediis confertis concoloribus ochroleucisve. Br. (Tab. XII.) Usnea sphacelata. Br. in Parry's First Voy. App. p. cccvii. Hooker Ace. of Arct. PI. in Linn. Trans, v. 14f. p. 384. Usnea? prope melaxantham. Br. Spitzb. PI. in Scoreshifs Arct. 1. App. p. 76. Hab. In riipibus apud Spitzbergen. D. Scoreshy et Sabine. In Insula Melville. D. Parry. In summitate Montis Tabularis Insula Van Dieman. D. Broison. " Proxima U. melaxantJide Ach. Syn. p. 303, difFert statura aliquoties minore, ramis primariis laevibus, sorediorum praesentia. Apo- thecia nondum visa. Eandem speciem, sorediis pariter instruc- tam apotheciisque destitutam, in summitate Montis Tabularis Insulae Van Dieman, anno ISO^, legi." Br. Mr. Brown has here justly observed how closely this species is allied to the South American U. melaxaiitha. Indeed, that lichen which I have described as the U. inelaxantha in Hum- boldt and Kunth's Syriopsis, and which is found at an eleva- tion of more than 10,000 feet upon the Andes, differs in no respect from the present plant, except in having the base of the thallus of a reddish yellow, and the extremities of the branches more black. Mr. Brown further mentions that he has found U. sphacelata also', but destitute of fructification, upon Table Mountain, in Van Dieman's Island. From a neigh- bouring country, New Holland, I have received the c(|ually nearly allied species, U.fasciata, and in a very fine state of fructification, differing in no respect from the antarctic spe- cimens. These latter approach the U. sphacelata in their pale yellowish hue, the U. melaxantha in the more crowded ramification, and hispid or tuberculatcd thallus ; and differ 16 from botli in the less blackened extremities. Future obser- vations may induce us to unite the two species now described, together with U. melaocantha, thus giving a further proof of the extensive range of country occupied by the same species among the lower orders of the vegetable creation. Fig. 1. 1. Plants {iiat. size). Fig. 2. Stem and branches; and Fig. 3. Portion of a stem with a soredium : — magnified. 17 STICTA MACROPHYLLA. Cryptogamia Lichenes. Nat. Ord. Lichenes. Gen. Char. Apothecia scutelliformia, subtus e thallo formata, centro affixa. Discus coloratus, planus. Thallus foliaceus, coriaceo- cartilagineus, expansus, lobatus, subtus liber us villosus vel tomen- tosus, cyphellis sorediis vel maculis interspersis. Sticta macropliylla ; effusa, thallo subcartilagineo crassiusculo lurido- virescente siccitate cinerascente glabro repetitim dicliotomo seg- mentis latis undulatis obtusissimis, subtus fusco-tonientoso, cyphel- lis albis limbatis, apotheciis fuscis extus tomentosis. a. apotheciis sparsis. Sticta macrophylla (Delis). Fee Crypt, des Ecorces, p. 129. t. 33.* Spreng. Syst. Veget. v. 4. p. 303. |3. apotheciis marginalibus. (Tab. XIII.) Hab. Arboribus Insulae Mauritii. D. Bojer. Insula Franciac; et in variis regionibus Americse Meridionalis, supra ramos annosos Cinchonarum peruvianarum. Fee. Thallus late efFusus, diametro spithamaeus et ultra, suborbiculari-ex- pansus, laciniato-lobatus, imbricatus, laciniis liberis repetitim dichotome divisis, segmentis latis, subundulatis, obtusissimis; supra omnino glaber, leevis, absque sorediis, madore lurido- vel subfusco- viridis, siccitate pallide gi'iseus vel cinerascens, ad marginem fiis- cescens : subtus ubique f usco-tomentosus, ad marginem pallidior. CypliellcB numerosae, urceolatae, albae, limbatae vel marginatae. Substantia subcartilaginea, siccitate rigiila, madefacta magis flac- cida. Odor fere ut in Sticta fuliginosa Europac. Apothecia pri- mum globosa, demum explanata, compressa, fusca, disco piano, subtus margineque tenui tomentosa, in a sparsa, in /3 omnino mar- ginalia. I WAS prepared to publish this noble species of Sticta, which I had received from the Mauritius more than two years * It is called M. macrocarpa in the text ; but that name is not applicable to the plant, nor is it followed in the index, or on the plate. Sprengel, too, calls it macrocarpa. VOL. I. . C 18 ago, with the name of its indefatigable discoverer in that island, M. Bojer, when I obtained from Paris the last number of Fee's Essai sur les Cryptogames des Ecorces Officinales, where it appears under the appellation here adopted. The figure there given is what I call the var. a. with scattered apothecia. Both kinds were found by M. Bojer in the Mauritius. STICTA HUMBOLDTII. Sticta Humholdtii ; thallo subumbilicato cinereo-fuscescente utrinque dense tomentoso, cyphellis majusculis concoloribus, margine varie lobato, lobis rotundatis, apotheciis sparsis sessilibus nigro- fuscis extus tomentosis. (Tab. XIV.) Sticta Humboldtii. Hooker in Humb. et Kunth, Syn. PL JEq. v. 1. p. 28. Humh. Nov. Gen. et Sp. PI. v. 7. p. 86. Hab. Ad corticem Befarics, Thibaudice, et Escallonitry in frigidis Pa- ramo de Almaguer, alt. 1430 hexapod. (Regno Novo-Grana- tensi). Humboldt. Tltallus effusus, diametro 3 — 4-uncialis, suborbicularis, umbilicatus, centre affixus, in lobos rotundatos, subimbricatos profunda di- visus, lobis iterum breviter irregulariterque lobatis, subundulatis ; cinereo-fuscescens, utrinque dense moliiterque tomentoso-hirsutus, subtus paliidior. Cyphcllce concolores, paululum convexae. Apo- thecia sparsa, numerosa, primum hemisphaerica, demum plana, intense fusca, sessilia, subtus margineque involuto pal lido dense tomentosa. The same peculiar smell exists in this, as in some other species of this genus, among which this may well rank as the most beautiful. Fig. 1. Plant {jiat. size). Fig. 2. Side view of an apothecium. Fig. 3. Vertical section of an apothecium. Fig. 4. Apothecium seen from above : — magnijied. 19 ADENOCAULON BICOLOR. Syngenesia Necessaria. Nat. Ord. Composit.e. Gen. Char. (Adenocaulon, Hook.) Involiicrum pentaphyllum, pa- tens, demum reflexum. Floscidi subdecem, tubulosi, disci mas- culi, radii foeminei. Achenia oblongo-clavata, superne glanduloso- hispida. Pappus nullus. Beceptaculum nudum. Adenocaulon Vicolor. (Tab. XV.) Hab. Sylvis densis apud Fretum de Fuca, atque prope Fort Vancou- ver ad flumen Columbia?, in ora occidentali Americae Septeiitri- onalis. Z). Scolder. In montibus " Rocky Mountains " dictis. D. Drummond. Caidis herbaceus, erectus, 3 — 4-pedalem altus, repetitim dichotome ramosus, teres, inferne albo-tomentosus, superne gland ulosus, glandulis nigris viscosis, pedicello diaphano, longiusculo sufFultis. Folia ovato-cordata ; inferiora multo majora, magisque cordata, superiora sensim minora magisque ovata ; omnia subtriloba atque angulato-dentata, submembranacea, tenera, superne viridia, gla- berrima, subtus dense niveo-tomentosa, basi in petiolum longum tomentosum decurrentia. Paniculcc numerosa;, terminales, foliosffi, tomento omnino destitutae, glandulis pedicellatis tectae. Flores pedicellati, bracteati, pro magnitudine planta?, parvi. Involiicrum e foliolis 5 patentibus, ovatis, concavis, subtus margineque glan- dulosis, demum reflexis. Floscidi circiter decem, omnes tubulosi parvi, centrales 5, masculi ; marginales 5, foeminei, omnes 5- nunc rarius 4-fidi, laciniis reflexis. Masc. Stamina 5, exserta, flava. Stylus staminibus paulo longior : Stigma integrum : Gcrmcu ob- longum, gracile, nudum, abortivum ; Fcem. Stamina nulla vel 5, abortiva, vix cohaerentia, polline destituta. Stylus exsertus : Stig- ma crassum, bifidum: Germen oblongum, basi subattenuatum, superne glandulosum. Achenia germine flosculorum triplo (juad- ruplo majora, valde conspicua, cylindraceo-clavata, teretia, apice glandulis numerosis, nigris, pedicellatis instructa. Pappus omnnio nullus. Semen pericarpio conforme. Embryo erectus, subcylin- draceus. Receptaculum parvum, nudum, subconvexum, pro rc- ceptione flosculorum punctatum. c 2 20 That so remarkable a plant as the present should have escaped the notice of Mr. Menzies and other botanists who had visited the north-west coast of America, I can hardly conceive possible. At the same time, as I am wholly unable to find any description of it, or of a genus that at all corresponds with it, I am under the necessity of intro- ducing it as a plant altogether sui generis. The inflorescence at first sight bears a great similarity to that of some umbelli- ferous plants. The involucre is not very unlike the involucre of the old genus Cheer ophy Hum, and it is so patent and in- cludes so small a quantity of florets, that it has by no means the habit of the flower of the Composite. The foliage resem- bles that of a Cineraria or Cacalia, or, if the leaves be taken separately, of a Tussilago. Dr. Scouler of Glasgow, in his late voyage to the north- west coast of America, (of which he has given an interesting account in the latter volumes of Dr. Brewster's Edinburgh Journal of Science,) had the good fortune to find this plant in considerable abundance, both at Fort Vancouver on the Columbia, and at the Straits of Juan de Fuca, considerably to the north of the Columbia, always growing in thick woods. I have named this genus from the glands, which are abun- dant upon the stalks as well as on the fruit of the plant. Fig. 1. Flower. Fig, 2. The same, more advanced. Fig. 3. 3. Fe- male flowers. Fig. 4. Male flower. Fig. 5. Fully formed fruit. ^ Fig, 6. Section of the same : — magnified. 21 SWIETENIA MAHAGONI. {Mahogaity Ti-ee.) Decandria Monogynia. Nat. Ord. Meliace.'E. Gen. Char. Cal. minimus, ^-fidus, deciduus. Petala 4 — 5. Stam. 8 — 10, filam. coalita in tubum apice dentatum, intus antherirerum. Stylus 1. Stigma capitatum. Capsula oviformis, lignosa, 5-locu- laris, polysperma, valvis a basi dehisceniibus, margine appositis ad angulos placentae centralis pentagonae. Semina deorsum im- bricata, in alam expansa. Albumen carnosum. Embryo rectus. Cotyledo7ies planae, foliaceae. — Axhoxes, foliis alternis abruptc jnn- natis paucijugis. DeC. " Swietenia Mahagoni ; foliis sub-^-jugis, foliolis ovato-lanceolatis inae- qualibus apice acuminatis, racemis axillaribus paniculatis. DeC. (Tab. XVI. XVII.) Swietenia Mahagoni. Jacq. Amer. p. 127. Li7in. Sp. PL p. 54:8. Willd. Sp. PL V. 2. p. 557. Pers. Syri. PL v. I. p. 4G9. Smith in Rees' Cycl. Decand. Prodr. v. I. p. 625. Humb. et Kunth, Syn. PL jEq. v. 3. p.2\9. Cedrus Mahogoni. Mill. Did. Cedi'ela foliis pinnatis &c. Bro'wne, Jam. p. 1 58. Arbor foliis pinnatis, nullo imparl alam claudente &c. Catcsb. Carol. V. 2. p. 81. t. 81. Hab. In India Occidental! locis petrosis; Jamaica, Cuba, et aliis insulis Antillarum ; apud Honduras, prajcipue abuiulat. Prope , Acapulco Mexicanorum, portum Oceani Pacifici. Humboldt. Arbor maxima, trunco vasto, ramis tuberculatis, cinerascenti-fuscis. Folia alterna, pari-pinnata, 3 — 5-juga, foliolis oppositis rcmotis ovato-lanceolatis, obliquis, subcoriaceis, nervosis, glabris, subtus venosis, integerrimis, apice subacuminatis, basi in petiolum bre- vem attenuatis. Panicula axillaris 3 — i uncias longa, pendens, valde ramosa, glabra, ramis basi minute bractcatis, dichotomis. Flares parvi, flavo-virides. Calyx minutus, 5-lobus, lobis rotun- datis, sub lente erosis. Corolla pentapctala, petalis oblongo- ovatis, concavis. Tubus staminifer cylindricus, petalis brcvior, 22 apice decemdentatus, intus paulo infra apicem, antheriferus, an- theris parvis ovato-rotundatis, sessilibus, flavis, dentibus tubi alternantibus. Nectarium basin germinis cingens, breve, apice denticulatum coccineum. Pistillimi longitudine tubi starainiferi : Germen ovatum, viride : Styhis cylindraceus : Stigma peltatum. Capsula bvata, magnitudine ovi Gallo-Pavonis, lignosa, rufo- fusca, minute tuberculata, 5-locularis {DeC.) in valvis 5, e basi ad apicem dehiscens, intus lamina coriacea vestita. Receptaculum centrale, magnum, pentagonum, angulis marginibus valvarum oppositis, sed vix ad margines attingentibus, et sic capsula, sub- unilocularis. Semina rotundata, compressa, fusca, in alam longam sensim attenuata, pendentia, in 5 seriebus duplicibus collecta, intra angulos receptaculi inserta, et prope ejus apicem affixa (a. ^. 17. y^ 4.). Albumen album, tenue. Cotyledo7ies foliaceae, planse. Radicula parva. Few plants are more extensively valuable in a commercial point of view than the Mahogany, and few perhaps are less generally known in their history and botanical characters. The tree exists in but few stoves of our own country, and in such situations is never likely to bear flowers and fruit ; and I cannot mention a single work, accessible to the generality of botani- cal students, where a good representation of it may be found. I hope to be here able, in some measure, to supply this defi- ciency, for I have been favoured with a beautiful series of drawings of the Mahogany, made in the Island of St. Vin- cent, by the Rev. Lansdown Guilding, from which, aided by well dried specimens from the same friend, and by some fine - fruits sent to me by my late pupil, George Tyrrell, Esq. from Jamaica, the accompanying figures have been made. The uses of mahogany wood are too well known to render it necessary for me to mention them in this place ; further than to say that almost all our valuable furniture is formed of it, and that it is peculiarly adapted to such purposes in consequence of its great beauty, hardness, and durability, by means of which it may be carved into splendid ornaments. 23 and will take the most exquisite polish. It is said, too, to be almost indestructible by worms or in water, and to be bullet proof ; — hence the Spaniards used to make their vessels of mahogany : and Captain Franklin took with him to the shores of the Arctic Sea, boats constructed in England of that wood, as being the lightest (in consequence of the thinness of the planks), and the most portable, combined with great strength. Although the Spaniards were, in all probability, the first to bring this wood into use, and although the French must be allowed to produce the most highly finished and ornamental work from it, it is into England that by far the largest importations of it are made, and where it is most extensively employed. Jamaica formerly yielded the greatest quantity of this wood, and the old Jamaica maho- gany is still reckoned, I believe, more valuable than that afforded by other countries. The quality depends much on the situation where the tree grows. In an elevated stony spot, where one would imagine there was scarcely soil to give nourishment to the roots, the wood is found to be of a superior grain and texture ; whereas in low and alluvial situa- tions, however vigorous and luxuriant the plant may be, the quahty of the timber is always inferior, more light and porous, and of a paler colour. I have no means of determining tlie quantity of mahogany w^hich has recently been exported from Jamaica ; but in 1753, according to Dr. Patrick Browne, there were sent out of the island, in planks, 521,300 feet. It is a little remarkable, that in Sloane's Histonj of Jamaica no mention is made of the Mahogany Tree. Browne, in 1789, says that it is a wood universally esteemed, and which sells at a great price ; but he " regrets that it is not cuUivated in tlie more convenient waste lands of Jamaica, as it answers for all beams, joists, planks, boards and shingles, and has fre- quently been put to those uses in that island in former times." Now, I believe, a very large portion of the mahogany 24 imported into Great Britain is derived from the Honduras, where it is unquestionably produced in most abundance, and where it constitutes so important an article of trade that I could not but feel anxious to procure information from the / West India merchants of this country respecting the mode of its being cut, and its transportation. It is to James Ewing, Esq. LL.D. of Glasgow, — a gentleman who unites to the most extensive commercial engagements such a love of literature and the arts as is rarely combined in the same individual, — that I owe the following interesting history of the mahogany trade ; which I think my readers will thank me for making generally known, and which Mr. Ewing had ex- tracted in a measure from the Honduras Almanack for 1827- The first discovery of the beauty of mahogany wood is attributed to the carpenter on board Sir Walter Raleigh's ship, at the time that vessel lay in some harbour in the Island of Trinidad, in 1595. Dr. Gibbons brought it into notice in England. He was an eminent physician about the end of the 17th or beginning of the 18th century ; and a box for hold- ing candles, and then a bureau, made of a block of mahogany, were given to him by his brother, a West Indian captain. At Honduras, a period of two hundred years is considered to be necessary from the time of the plant springing from seed to that of its perfection and fitness for cutting ; an opera- tion which commences about the month of August. The gangs of labourers employed in this work consist of from twenty to fifty each ; but few exceed the latter number. They are com- posed of slaves and free persons, without any comparative distinction of rank ; and it very frequently occurs that the conductor of such work, here styled the captain, is a slave. Each gang has also one person belonging to it, termed the Huntsman, who is generally selected from the most intelli- gent of his fellows ; and his chief occupation is to search the woods, or, as it is called in this country, the bush, to find cm- 25 ployment for the whole. Accordingly, about the beginning of August, the huntsman is dispatched on his important mis- sion, and if the owner be employed on his own ground, this is seldom a work of much labour or difficulty. He cuts his way into the most elevated situation among the thickest woods, where he climbs the tallest tree he can find, and thence minutely surveys the surrounding country. At this season the leaves of the mahogany tree are invariably of a yellow-reddish hue ; and an eye accustomed to this kind of exercise can, at a great distance, discern the places where the wood is most abundant. To such a spot are his steps directed ; and without compass or other guide than what his recollection affords, he never fails to reach the exact point at which he aims. On some occasions no ordinary stratagem is necessary to be resorted to by the huntsman, to prevent others from availing themselves of the advantage of his dis- coveries ; for if his steps be traced by those who may be en- gaged in the same pursuit, which is a very common occur- rence, all his ingenuity must be exerted to beguile them from the true scent. In this, however, he is not always successful, being followed by those who are entirely aware of the arts he may use, and whose eyes are so quick, that the lightest turn of a leaf or the faintest impression of a foot is unerringly perceived ; even the dried leaves which may be strewed upon the ground, often help to conduct to the secret spot ; and it consequently happens that persons so engaged must frequently undergo the disappointment of finding an advantage they had promised to themselves, seized on by others. The hidden treasure being, however, detected, the next operation is the felling of a sufficient number of trees to employ the gang during the season. The mahogany tree is commonly cut about ten or twelve feet from the ground, a stage being erected for the axeman employed in levelling it : this, to an observer, would appear a labour of much danger ; 26 but it is very rarely that an accident happens to the people engaged in it. The trunk of the tree, from the dimensions of the wood it furnishes, is deemed the most valuable ; but for purposes of an ornamental kind, the limbs or branches are generally preferred, the grain of them being much closer, and the veins more rich and variegated. A sufficient number of trees being now felled to occupy the gang during the season, they commence cutting the roads, which may fairly be estimated as two-thirds of the labour and expense. Each mahogany work forms in itself a small village on the bank of a river ; the choice of situation being always regulated by the proximity of such river to the mahogany intended as the object of future research. In the arranging and appearance of the habitations much rural taste is often displayed ; and it is highly gratifying to the curious to remark the different modes peculiar to the several nations or tribes of Africa, as also the improvement introduced by European experience in the construction of the dwellings, — among which the proprietor's residence, with storehouses, cattle-sheds, &c. invariably form a conspicuous figure ; those of the different labourers being usually of a more humble appearance, but all built of the same material, which the surrounding countries afford in abundance. We have frequently seen houses of this kind completed in a single day, and with no other implement than the axe, con- sequently every workman is capable of performing the labour required to build his own dwelling. After completing this establishment, a main road is opened for it, in as near a direc- tion as possible to the centre of the body of trees so felled, into which branch or wing roads are often introduced, the ground through which the roads are to run being yet a mass of dense forest, both of high trees and underwood. They commence by clearing away those of the latter de- scription with cutlasses, which, although in appearance a 27 slender instrument, yet, from the dexterity with which it is used, answers the purpose admirably. This labour is usually performed by taskwork, of one hundred yards each man per day, which expert workmen will complete in six hours. The underwood being now removed, the larger trees are then felled by the axe, as even with the ground as possible, the task being also at this work one hundred yards per day to each labourer; although this is more difficult, from the number of hard woods growing here, which on failure of the axe are removed by the application of fire. The trunks of these trees, although many of them are va- luable for different purposes, such as Bullet-tree, Ironwood, Redwood, Sapodilla, &c. are thrown away as useless, unless they happen to be adjacent to some creek or small river which may intersect the road ; in that case they are applied to the constructing of bridges across the same ; which are frequently of considerable size, and require great labour to make them of sufficient strength to bear such immense loads as are brought over them. The quantity and distance of road to be cut each season depends on the situation of the body of mahogany trees, which, if much dispersed or scat- tered, will increase the labour and extent of road-cutting; and it not unfrequently happens that miles of road and many bridges are made to a single tree, and which tree may ulti- mately yield but one log. The roads being cleared of all the brushwood, still require the labour of hoes, pickaxes and sledge-hammers, to level the hillocks and to break the rocks, also such of the remaining stumps as might impede the wheels that are hereafter to pass over them. The roads being now all ready, which may generally Ije effected in the month of December, the cross-cutting, as it is technically called, commences. This is merely dividing cross- wise, by means of the saw, each mahogany tree into logs, according to its length: and it often occurs, that while 28 some arc but long enough for one log ; others^ on the con- trary, will admit of four or five being cut from the same trunk or stem, — the chief guide for dividing the trees into logs being to equalize the loads which the cattle are to draw, and prevent their being overburthened : consequently, as the tree increases in thickness, so the logs are reduced in length: this, however, does not altogether obviate the irregularity of the loads, and a supply of oxen are constantly kept in readi- ness to add to the usual number, according to the weight of the log : this becomes unavoidable, owing to the very great difference of size of the mahogany trees : the logs taken from one tree being about three hundred feet, while those from the next may be as many thousand; but the largest log ever cut in Honduras was of the following dimensions : Length 17 feet, breadth 57 inches, depth 64 inches ; measur- ing 5168 superficial feet, or 15 tons weight*. The sawing being now completed, the logs are separated one from the other, and placed in whatever position will admit of the largest square being formed, according to the shape which the end of each log presents, and is then re- duced, by means of the axe, into a square form, although some of the smaller logs are brought into the round ; yet with the larger description, it is essential to render them square, not only because the weight is thereby lessened, but because it prevents their rolling on the truck or carriage. We now reach the month of March, when all the prepa- * The Glasgow Chronicle for Nov. 1827, contains the following particulars of the largest log of mahogany ever brought from Honduras to the port of that city. "It was taken to the wood-yard on a four-wheeled carriage, and there placed between two other logs, preparatory to being cut up, as no saw-pit was capable of containing it. The length was 16 feet, depth 5 feet 6 inches, and the breadth 4 feet 9 inches. It contained 418 cubic feet, 5016 feet of inch deal J and the cost of sawing it, at 3d. a foot, amounted to 62^. 14s. The value of the whole, estimated at Is. 2d. per foot, was 2921. I2s., and its weight was 7| tons, or at the rate of a cubic foot of 41 5 lbs." 29 ration before described is, or ought to be, completed, and the dry season, or time of drawing down the logs from the place of their growth commences. This process can only be carried on in the months of April or May ; the ground during all the rest of the year being too soft to admit of a heavily laden truck to pass over it without sinking ; and al- though the rains usually terminate about February, yet from the ground being so soaked wath rain, the roads arc seldom firm enough for use till the first of April. The mahogany cutter's harvest may be at this time said to commence, as the resuk of his season's work depends upon a continuance of the dry weather: for a single shower of rain would materially injure his roads. It is therefore necessary that not a moment should be lost in drawinir out the wood to the river. The number of trucks worked, is apportioned to the strength of the gang, and the distance generally from six to ten miles. We will, for example, take a gang of forty men, capable of working six trucks, each of which retpiires seven pair of oxen and two drivers ; sixteen to cut food for the cat- tle, and twelve to load or put the logs on the carriages ; tlu^ latter usually take up a temporary residence somewhere^ near the main body of the wood, it being too far to go and return each day to the river side or chief cstablishuKMit. From the intense heat of the sun, the cattle arc tmable to work during its influence ; consequently, they are obliged to use the night-time in lieu of the day, the sultry effects of which it becomes requisite to avoid. The loaders, as before men- tioned, being now at their station in the forest, the tru(k3 set off from the barquadier about 6 o'clock in the evening, and arrive at their different places of loading about 1 I or 12 o'clock at night ; when the loaders, who are then asleej), are warned of the approach of the trucks by the cracking of the whips carried by the cattle-drivers, which are heard at u con- siderable distance ; they arise, and connnence jilacing the logs 30 upon the trucks, which is done by means of a temporary platform laid from the edge of the truck to a sufficient di- stance upon the ground, so as to make an inclined plane, upon which the log is gradually pushed up from each end alternately. Having completed their work of loading all the trucks, which may be done in three hours, they again retire to rest till about 9 o'clock next morning. The drivers now set out on their return, but their progress is considerably retard- ed by the lading ; and although well provided with torch light, they are frequently impeded by small stumps that re- main in the road, and which would be easily avoided in day- light ; they, however, are in general all out at the river side by 11 o'clock next morning ; when, after throwing the logs into the river, having previously marked them on each end with the owner's initials, the cattle are fed, the drivers break- fast, and retire to rest until about sunset, when they feed the cattle a second time, and yoke in again. Thus goes on the routine of trucking during the season, the loaders being employed in the interim preparing the logs for the return of the trucks. Nothing can present a more extraordinary spectacle than this process of trucking or drawing down the mahogany to the river. The six trucks will occupy an extent of road of a quarter of a mile, — the great number of oxen, the drivers half naked, (clothes being inconvenient from the heat of the weather and clouds of dust,) and each bearing a lighted torch ; the wildness of the forest scenery, the rattling of chains, the sound of the whip echoing through the woods : then all this activity and exertion, so ill corresponding with the still hour of midnight, makes it wear more the appearance of some theatrical exhibition than what it really is, — the pursuit of industry which has fallen to the lot of the Honduras wood- cutter. About the end of May the periodical rains again com- 31 mence. The torrents of water discharged from tlie clouds are so great as to render the roads impracticable in the course of a few hours, when all trucking ceases, the cattle arc turned into the pasture, and the trucks, gear, and tools, &c. are housed. The rain now pours down incessantly till about the mid- dle of June, when the rivers swell to an immense liciuht : the logs then float down a distance of 200 miles, being fol- lowed by the gang in pitpans (a kind of flat-bottomed canoe), to disengage them from the branches of the overhanging trees, until they are stopped by a boom placed in some situa- tion convenient to the mouth of the river. Each gang then separates its own cutting by the marks on the ends of the logs, and forms them into large rafts ; in which state they are brought down to the wharfs of the proprietors, when they are taken out of the water and undergo a second pro- cess of the axe to make the surface smooth; the ends, which are frequently split and rent, by being dashed against rocks in the river by the force of the current, arc also sawed ofl', when they are ready for shipping. The average expense of mahogany cutting is usually esti- mated at 100/. Honduras currency, or about 70/. sterling each labourer per annum, independent of the capital sunk in purchase of the works, cattle, trucks, gear, crafts, tools, &c. It will be borne in mind that the above account relates to the Honduras Mahogany ; and Mr. Robert Brown has sug- gested to me that it may be a species different from the Ja- maica, and perhaps the " Cedrela Coroii folio amphorijhirtic pentagono'' of Browne's Jamaica, where is the following ob- servation: "This plant does not grow in Jamaica, and is only inserted here to show that there is another species of the kind known. It was discovered by Mr. Houston near jii.- Gulf of Honduras, and is said to grow to a very large tree." If this be what we call the Honduras Mahogany, and diHerent 32 from that of Jamaica, it is nmch to b^ lamented that ks bo- tanical characters are not yet known to us. I have already observed, that v^orkmen make an important distinction be- tween the two woods, and that the Jamaica kind is the most valuable. Catesby says that when the fruit is ripe, the outer hard shell separates next the footstalk, and thereby exposes the seeds, which being broad and light are dispersed over the surface of the rocks. Such of them as happen to fall into the fissures, very soon send forth roots ; and if these tender fibres meet with resistance from the hardness of the rock, they creep along the surface and seek another fissure into which they penetrate and swell so as to break the rock and thereby make way for the root to enter deeper. In St. Vincent, where the Mahogany does not appear to be indigenous, the trees, as I am informed by Mr. Guilding, do not attain a greater height than fifty feet, and a diameter of eighteen inches. It flowers there in May and June. The bark is very astringent and bitter ; and in its action on the human frame has been said to coincide nearly with the Pe- ruvian bark. Tab. XVI. a. Portion of a branch with a leaf and panicle of flowers {nat.size). Fig. 1. 2. Flowers; and Fig. 3. The tube of the sta- mens laid open to show the anthers and pistil and nectary {inagiiified). — Tab. XVII. Fig. 1. Flower deprived of the petals. Fig. 2. Front view of a flower {Tnagnified). Fig. 3. Cap- sule with one valve removed, the others being in the act of burst- ing. Fig. 4. Receptacle of the seeds ; a. point of attachment of the latter. Fig. 5. Seed. Fig. 6. The same with the integu- ment removed. Fig. 7. Transverse section of ditto. Fig. 8. Seed germinating [nat. size). 33 SCOULERIA AQUATICA. Cryptogamia Musci. Nat. Ord. Musci. Gen. Char. (Scouleria, Hook.) Capsida sphaerica, depressa, subses- silis, terminalis. Peristomium simplex, e dentibus 32, aequidistaii- tibus, apice magis minusve fissis. Columella persistens, e cap- sulae contractione valde exserta. Operculum planum, umboiui- tum, apici columellae arctissime adlieerens. Calijptra dim id lata. Muscus aquaticus, habitu fere Cinclidoti fontinaloidis, seu Aniciangii aquatici, foliis nigrescejitihis^ curvis, minute punctatis, viarginatisy uni7ierviis. Cq-^sxAq. foliis perichcctialihus fere immersa. Scouleria aquatica. (Tab. XVIII.) Scouleria aquatica. Hooker in Drummond, Muse. Americ. i?ied. Hab. Aquis fluentibus apud " Observatory Inlet " in ora occidentali Americas Septentrionalis : saxis enascens. D. Scouler. In rivulis montium "Rocky Mountains": et in fluvio Columbia, saxis. D. Drummond. Caules laxe caespitosi, fluentes (?), bis terve dichotome divisi, 3 — 5 un- cias longi, flexuosi, nigri. Folia undique inserta, conferta, lato- lanceolata, recurva, basi planiuscula, reliqua acute carinata, mar- gine incrassata, serrata, atro-viridia, nervo valido usque ad apicem acutum percurso instructa ; superiora magis erecta atque viridia. Substantia compacta, punctis numerosis minutis seriatim dispo- sitis. Perichcctialia reliquis foliis terminalibus similia. Fructif- catio terminalis. Capsida seta perbrevi imposita atque foliis fere immersa, sphaerica, basi apiceque subdepressa intense fusca, gla- berrima, nitida, demum, operculo secedente, contracta, valde de- pressa: hinc columella cylindracea insigniter exserta fit et, longo post seminum dispersionem, operculum planum umbonatum fus- cum arctissime adhaerentem, sustinet. Infra Oparulum est ad apicem columellse membrana horizontalis umbraculiformis. Pe- ristomium e dentibus 32 reflexis, pro ratione capsulac parvis, flavo- rubris, subangustis, transversim striatis, apice in lacinulis duabus vel tribus fissis. Semina parva, fusco-viridia, sphaerica. Cahjplra magna, fusca, obtusiuscula, hinc lateralitcr fissa. VOL. I. D 34 It irives mo irroat pleasure, in lookiuir ovor tho vahiahlc bo- tanical lolUHtion mailo by Dr. Seoulor on the north-wost roast of America, to tiiul a plant boloniiin^; to liis favourite tribe, the J/itsci, wbieh, eonstitutiui; a new ii:enus, I am thus abU^ to iledieate to him. During" three voars that Mr. Scou- U r attended the (^oReiie course of botanical lectures, I wit- nessed with satisfaction his increasinir love for natural hi- storv ; and although the anatomv and phvsioloiiv of animals be his most favourite pursuit, and the one by which it is to be expected that he will, at a future time, rise to much fame, — vet botanv has occupied a iiieat share of his attention, and his herbarium includes nuich of novelty from the countries which, like a second ^Nlenzies, he has visited, iuid, as a natu- ralist, successfullv investijxatcd. The present moss. Dr. Scouler gathered in running streams at Observatory Inlet, in a latitude nearly parallel with that of London, on the north-west coast of America. At tirst sight it might almost be taken for Ci/ic/idotf/s Jonti/iu/oides or ^-J/iictafi^ii/m aqiiaticifni, but on a more careful examina- tion, the fructitication will be found as widely different from that of the species just mentioned, as from every other plant of the order. Here are thirty-two distinct teeth, more or less cleft at the extremity. The operculum does not fall away, hut separates from the capsule by the sinking down (if I may use the term) of the upper part of the capsule, which thus assumes a hi^hlv remarkable yet constantlv rciiular depressed shape ; and long after the dispersion of the seed, and in the oldest state of the fructitication, the operculum firndy ad- heres to the smnmit of the curiously exserted columella, from which it can onlv be ren\oved by laceration. ^Ir. Drmnmond has been so fortunate as to find the same plant in a part of the Columbia which borders upon the Rocky Momitains, and in other streams of that resrion ; so that it is probably scattered over tlie whole extent of country hctwer^n the Rocky Mountains and the mouth of the Columbia and other plarres on the north-west coast of America. It doe*? not, however, appear to extend to tlie east of tliat cFiain. Bf:autiful Hp<;cimens will be published ia Mr. I>rummond's forthcoming volume of American Mosses. Fig. 1. Plants {nat, iize). Tig. 2. I>;af. Fig. 3. Terminal leaf. /'«>. \. Portion of the same. Fig. f>. Extremity of a fertile branch. /VV>. 6. Calyptra. /%. 7. Capsule before the af>er- culum has separated from it /%. 8. Mature cap^^ule after the dispersion of the seed. Fig. 0. J'ortion of the \^T\AfAi\H. Fig. 10. Teeth of the same. /%. U. Seeds:— wore or /«« magnified. d2 3() BRYUM MENZIESII. Cryptogamia Musci. Nat. Ord. Musci. Gen. Char. Sc/fl terminalis. Peristo7niwn duplex: ^j:/. 16-dentatum; int. e membrana 16-laciniata, nunc ciliis interpositis. Cali/ptra dimidiata. Bryum Mcnziesii ,- caule erecto subdenudato apice prolifero-ramoso, foliis ovato-lanceolatis, marginibus nervoque serratis, setis aggre- gatis, capsula pyriformi pendula. (Tab. XIX.) Hab. Nootka. D. Me?izies. — In loco " Obsei'vatory Inlet" dicto, in ora occidental! Americee Septentrionalis. Z). Scolder. Radix longe descendens atque subrepens, dense ferrugineo-tomentosa. Caides gregatim crescunt, erecti, tripollicares et idtra, simplices, foliis fere denudati, paululum flexuosi, rubri, apice prolifero-ra- mosi, ramis unciam longis gracilibus iterum divisis. Folia caulina, inferne praecipue remota, parva, superne multo majora, erecta sen erecto-appressa, ovato-lanceolata, acuta, rigidiuscula, pellu- cida, subconcava, nervo ad apicem attingente, margine nervoque dorso distincte serrata, pallide fusco-viridia ; ramorum his simil- lima sed minora magisque viridia. Perichcetialia magis lanceolata caulinis majora, atque longe acuminata, sed minus serrata. Flares masadini caulem terminantes, conspicui, foliis ovatis acutis stel- latim patentibus breviter acuminatis rufonervosis circumdati. AnthercE oblongse, sessiles, reticulatas, filis articulatis immixtae. Seta nunc solitariaj nunc duae aut tres aggregatae, ex eodem peri- chaetio, semper ex apice caulis vel trunci, duas uncias longae, erectae, flexuosae. Capsida pyriformis, pendula, rufo-fusca. Oper- culum conicum, obtusiusculum. Pcristomiicm ext. dentibus lonijius- culis aurantiacis, int. membrana reticulata fulva, sedecim laciniata, laciniis marginibus denticulatis, ciliis his interpositis. I HAD long ago in MS. dedicated this beautiful moss to its estimable discoverer, whose friendship to me has been so often mentioned in the volumes of my Musci Exotki ; and I 37 regret that circumstances should, till now, have prevented its having been published in the way I had wished. It was gathered by Mr. Menzies at Nootka Sound, in l/S^; and again, nearly forty years afterwards, upon the same line of coast, by Dr. Scouler. This moss is quite unlike any species with which I am acquainted, having almost as much the habit of a Hupnum^ especially of the dendroid kind, as of a Bryum ; but the fruc- tification is truly terminal, all the shoots springing from beneath the perichaetium. The situation of the male flowers, too, if such they may be called, is equally terminal. In the shape and texture and spinous nerve of the leaf, this plant agrees with my Hypnum spininervium {Muse. Eocot. t. 29.). Ftg.l. Male plant. Fig. 2. Yemale plant {nat. size). Fig. 3. Portion of the extremity of a female plant. Fig. 4, 5. Leaves. Fig. 6. Perichaetial leaf. Fig. 7. External teeth of the peristome. Fig. 8. Portion of the interior peristome. Fig. 9. Leaf which surrounds the male flower. Fig. 10. Anther and one of the ac- companying jointed filaments : — magnijied. BRYUM GIGANTEUM. Bryum giganteum ; caule erecto simplici apice folioso, foliis rosacco- congestis oblongo-spathulatis acutis marginatis serratis nervo ante apicem evanescente, capsula cylindracea horizontali. (Tab. XX.) Hab. Locis petrosis, solo arenaceo, in facie septentrionali niontis Chesapanny in Nepaha legit atque communicavit CI. Wallich^ 1 820. Caulis 3-pollicaris, erectus, inferne foUis fere omnino denutlatus, to- mento ferrugineo densissime obsitus, basi subrepens, superne non raro proliferus, in summum apicem solummodo foliosus. Folia numerosa, magna, 8 lineas longa, in rosulam congesta patentia vel erecto-patentia, oblongo-spathulata, viridia, acuta, laxe reti- culata, areolis oblongis, maigine concolori incrassato, superne 38 praecipue, argute serrata, nervo ante apicem evanescente instructa. Seta terminalis, solitaria, vel duae aut tres ex eodem puncto, tripollicaris, laevis. Capsula semiunciam longa, cylindracea, ho- rizontalis, rufo-fusca. Operculum brevi-hemisphaericum. Peri- stomium flavo-aurantiacum, ext. e dentibus transversim striatis: interius membrana reticulata sedecim-laciniata, laciniis perforatis vel profunde fissis apice unitis, ciliis brevibus duabus vel tribus his alternantibus. Notwithstanding the many curious Nepalese mosses which I have already laid before the public, I still possess, by the friendship of Dr. Wallicli, several new species. Among them the present will rank as the most remarkable, for the great size of all its parts ; while at the same time, in point of general structure, it must be allowed to have great affinity with the Bryum roseum of our own country, and with the South African Bryum umbraculum, figured in Plate 133. of my Musci Exotici. From the former it may, however, be readily distinguished by its much longer and narrower capsules and margined leaves ; from the latter, by the different direction of the capsule, more spathulate foliage ; and from both, by the leaves being much more distinctly serrated, and by the much greater and even gigantic size of the plant. Fig. 1.2. 3. Plants : and Fig. 4. Single leaf, {nat. size). Fig. 5. 6. Leaves. Fig. 7. Summit of ditto. Fig. 8. Capsule. Fig. 9. Por- tion of the external peristome. Fig. 10. Portion of the inner peristome: — 7nore or less magnified. 39 DICRANUM PHASCOIDES. Cryptogamia Musci. Nat. Ord. Musci. Gen. Char. Seta terminalis (Fissidentibus quibusdara exceptis). Pe- ristomium simplex, e dentibus sedecim, bifidis, aequidistantibus. Calyptra dimidiata. Dicranum phascoides ; caulibus laxe ca&spitosis simplicibus erectis, foliis erectis subulatis integerrimis, nervo mediocri, capsula ob- longa perichaetialibus immersa, operculo conico-acuuiinato, ore annulate. (Tab. XXI.) Hab. Apud Sylhet Indiae Orientalis. D. Wallich. Caules subunciam longi, laxe caespitosi, erecti, flexuosi, simplices, ru- bicundi. Folia undique inserta, erecta, subulata, omnino inte- gerrima, laxe et obscure reticulata, tenuissime membranacea, flavo-viridia, nervo mediocri ad apicem attingente instructa, floris masciili vix nervosa, basi insigniter vaginantia, dilatata. Flores utriusque sexus terminates. Capsula oblonga, basi sublatiore, seta brevissima terminans, foliis perichsetialibus immersa, lavis, fusca. Calyptra mihi ignota. Operculum brevi-conicum, ros- tratum. Peristomium e dentibus 16, rubris, bifidis, erecto-pa- tentibus, striatis, annulo pellucido e serie simplici cellulorum constructo, cito deciduo, cinctis. I REGRET that I have not seen the calyptra of this very in- teresting moss, which has so little the appearance of a Di- cranum in its external habit, that, were it not for the very perfect state of the peristome in the specimens sent, I should scarcely have ventured to place it in that genus. Amongst the Dicrana^ however, if such they still may be called, it . comes nearest to that division which includes our D. Jlcx- uosum ; but in them the calyptra is ciliated at the base, the nerve of the leaf is broad, and the seta is of considerable length. 40 Fig. 1. Tnk o{ Dicra?iujn j^hascoides {nat. size). Fig. 2. Sterile plant. Fig. 3. Female plant. Fig. 4. Male plant. Fig. 5. Cauline leaf. Fig. 6. Perichaetial leaf. Fig. 7. Leaf surrounding and including a male flower. Fig. 8. Capsule. Fig. 9. The same, having cast its operculum, and showing the peristome and part of the annulus. Fig. 10. Portion of the annulus. Fig. 11. Teeth of the pe- ristome : — magnified. 41 RICCIA NATANS. Cryptogamia Hepatic^. Nat. Ord. Hepatic;e. Gen. Char. Capsula substantia frondis immersa, membranacea, in- dehiscens, demum evanescens, stylo protruso terminata, seminibus tuberculatis repleta. Riccia nutans ; fronde obovata cordatave dichotome lobata, lobis ro- tundatis margine subtusque longe fimbriatis, fimbriis reticulatis serrato-dentatis. (Tab. XXII.) Riccia natans. Lhm. Sj/si. Nat. ed. 12. v. 2. p. 708. Smith, Engl. Bot. t. 252. Spreng. Syst. Veget. v. 4. p. 236. Riccia capillata. Schmidel Icones. p. 276. t. 74. Lemna dimidiata. Rafinesqiie in Amer. Monthly Magaz. v. 1. {Jide Torrey.) Hab. In aquis stagnantibus per totam fere Europaeam. — In America Septentrionali capsulas proferens prope Novam Eboracensem. Dr. Torrey. Frondes subcongestae aquae superficiei natantes, semiunciam longa?, simplices, nunc obovatae, emarginatae, nunc obcordatae, bis terve dichotome lobatae, lobis rotundatis, planae, carnoso-membranaceffi, intus celluloses, laete virides, reticulatae^ obscure costatae, margine saepe purpurascentes, subtus margineque dense fimbriatac, fimbriis lineari-acuminatis, sub lente reticulatis, membranaceis, dentato- serratis, viridibus vel saepissime purpurascentibus. Capsidce semper in costam sitae, substantia immersae, superne convexae, intus granulis vel seminibus numerosis, minutis, subsphaericis, tuberculatis, nigris repletae. The fructification of this (hitherto) supposed species of Riccia has long been a desideratum ; and though the plant has been known for a considerable time to the botanists in Europe, yet no specimens in fruit had been seen by them. At length in 1824 Dr. Torrey, Professor of Natural History at the Military Academy at West Point, New York, 42 was so obliging as to send me specimens in that state from the neighbourhood of that place, which I have already mentioned .in the second edition of the Muscologia Britannica. These I think prove beyond a doubt that the plant is rightly placed in the genus Riccia ; at the same time I must acknowledge that the fructification, in the only specimen I have yet received, is too far advanced to allow me to distinguish the capsule itself. But I know that in our common R. crystallina this part is thin and evanescent, and masses of seeds, from two or three or more capsules at length become confluent in the substance of the frond, and escape by the decay of the epidermis above them, leaving cavities or hollows in the frond. It is the case here also, and the seeds are of precisely the same nature in both. ^ig. 1. Plant of Riccia natans [nat. size). Fig. 2. Fructified plant. Fig. 3. Portion of the same, to show the inside of a capsule. Fig. 4. Another portion, showing the seeds of several capsules conglomerated. Fig. 5. Seeds. Fig. 6. Portion of the epider- mis of the plant: — magnijicd. 43 PARNASSIA FIMBRIATA. Pentandria Tetragynia. Nat. Ord. Droserace^e. Gen. Char. Cal. pentaphyllus. Petala 5, Squamce 5, unguibus petalo- rum opposite, in setas apice glandulosas (plerumque) desinentes. Stamma 5. , Anihera: posticee. Stigmata 4, sessilia. Capsula 4- valvis, 1-locularis, valvis medio septiferis. Semina arillata. {DcC.) Parnassia Jimbriata ; squamis subpalmatis eglandulosis, petalls basi ciliatis, foliis radicalibus longe petiolatis reniformibus, caulina cordata sessili. (Tab. XXIII.) Parnassia fimbriata. Kon. in Ann. of Bot. v. I. p. 391. Smith in ReeSf Cycl. Decand. Prodr. v. 1. p. 320. Hab. In ora occidentali Americas Septentrionalis. D. Menzics. In montibus " Rocky Mountains " dictis. D. Drnmmond. Radix horizontalis, subfusiformis, fibrosa, superne basibus petiolorum vetustorum vestita. Catdis pedalis ad sequipedalem, erectus, gracilis, subangulatus, prope vel supra medium, unifoliatus. Fo- lia radicalia 3 — 6, longe petiolata, reniformia, integerrima, multi- nervosa, caulinum parvum, cordatum, sessile. Flos terminalis, solitarius. Calyx 5-partitus, vel fere pentaphyllus. Petala 5, alba, obovata, subunguiculata, patentia, nervosa, ad basin pul- cherrime ciliata. Squamcz 5, viridi-flavescentes, fusco-punctuta?, petalis oppositae, carnosae, cuneatae, apice quinquelobae, intus linea elevata longitudinali instructa?. Stamina 5, demum pa- tentia : Anther (S oblongo-o vales, pallide flavas, punctata!. Pist il- ium : Germen ovatum : Stigmata 4, sessilia. No botanist that I am aware has ever seen this very curious species of Parnassia in a living state, except Mr. Menzics, who had the gratification of discovering it on the north-west coast of America, and Mr. Drummond, who more recently found it in the interior, growing in pastures and marshy grounds, on the sides of mountains, particularly near the banks of lakes and rivulets. From a drawing and descrip- 44 tion made on the spot, aided by specimens communicated by Mr. Menzies, the present figures and descriptions are pub- lished. Mr. Menzies observed that the stamens, after having per- formed their office of fertihzing the stigmas, which they do by approaching the pistil in succession, each remaining some time in contact with the stigmas, fall back in a hori- zontal position between the petals, giving an appearance of great regularity to the whole flower. It will be seen that in the structure of the scales or nectaries of the flower, the present species departs from the character hitherto laid down for the genus ; but not sufficiently so to constitute a new one : and in habit the plant entirely accords with Par- nass'ia. Fig. 1. Petal. Fig. 2. Stamen. Fig. 3. Scale or Nectary: — magnified. 45 MENYANTHES CRISTA-GALLI. Pentandria Monogynia. Nat. Ord. Gentiane^. Gen. Char. Cal. 5-partitus. Cor. infundibuliformis, intus hirta (vel cristata). Stigma bilobum. Capsula bivalvis, valvis axi placentiferis. Menyanthes Crista-Galli ; foliis radicalibus longe petiolatis renifor- mibus crenatis, scapo corymboso, laciniis corollae undulatis cris- tatis. (Tab. XXIV.) Menyanthes Crista-Galli, Menzies MSS. Hab. In ora occidentali Americas Septentrionalis. D. Menzies. Radix horizontalis, crassa, fibrosa, superne squamis magnis, ovatis, fuscis, basibus vaginantibus petiolorum foliorum vetustorum. Folia omnia radicalia, longe petiolata, duas uncias Jonga, qua- tuor lata, reniformia, crenata, nervosa : petioli pollicares, superne canaliculati, basi insigniter dilatati vaginantes. Scapus pedalis teres, glaber, superne rubicundus. Mores corymbosi, pedunculis petiolisque bractea ovata munitis. Calyx profunde quinquefidus, laciniis ovato-lanceolatis. Corolla infundibuliformis, alba, 5-fida, laciniis ovatis, acutis, patentibus, margine undulatis, superne la- mella erecta undulata cristatis. Stamina 5, exserta: Anthercs oblongae, flavae. Pistillum : Germen conicum. Styhis cylindra- ceus, deciduus ; Stigma bilobum, flavum. Capsula conico-oblonga, calyce cincta unilocularis, apice dentibus 4 dehiscens. This charming plant is another of Mr. Menzies's interesting discoveries on the north-west coast of America, growing in marshy mountain pastures in Prince William's Sound, and about Cape Edgecombe, in lat. 57°. The crest on the seg- ments of the corolla in this species is exactly similar to that on the flowers of Roxburgh's Menyanthes cristata, which has also white flowers, but with the habit and mode of growth of a Fillarsia. Here, however, there are no hairs upon the corolla, not even at the mouth of the limb, whilst in M. cris- tata that part is hairy. J'^^.l. Flower, i^^^. 2. Capsule. Fig. S. ^^cixon oUhc s^mc: magnifed. / 46 VOHIRIA APHYLLA. Pentandria Monogynia. Nat. Ord. Gentiane^e. Gen. Char. Cal. 5-fidus, brevis. Cor. hypocrateriformis, tubo longo basi tumido. Stamina in fauce corollse, antheris subrotundis. Stigma capitatum. Capsida oblonga, bivalvis, seminibus scrobi- formibus ad margines introflexos insertis. Vohiria aphylla ; caule aphyllo unifloro, corollae tubo longissimo, la- ciniis ovatis. (Tab. XXV. A.) Gentiana aphylla. Jacq. Am. p. 87. t. 60. f. 3. Exacum aphyllum. Willd. Sp. PL v.l.p. 638. Vohiria uniflora. Lam. — Rcem. et Schultes, Syst. Veget. v. 4. p. 176. Lita aphylla. " Dietr. Gccrt. Lex. 5. p. 531." Spreng. Syst. v.\. p.SSX. Hab. In Martlnicse sylvis raontosis vastis et humentibus : in cryptis truncorum luci vix perviis, non alibi. Jacq. In sylvis antiquis Sancti Vincenti, aut terra humida, aut in truncis semiputridis. Rev. L. Guilding. Parasitica. Planter gregariae. Radices e fibris albis subcarnosis crassiusculis. Caulis erectus, flexuosus, albus, simplex, crassitie penna? corvinae, omnino aphyllus, teres, articulatus, articulis vix unciam longis, basi squamosis. Squamcc ovatae, amplexicaules, hinc fissae. Flos ratione plantae magna, terminalis, solitarius. Calyx brevis, S-fidus, striatus. Corolla hypocrateriformis : tubo valde elongato, pallide flavo, superne gracili, apice (ubi stamina inserta) basique, prsecipue, tumida ; limbo quinquefido, flavo, patente, laciniis ovatis. Stamina in fauce corollae inserta : Fila- menta brevia : Anther cb rotundatae, flavae. Pistillum : Germen cylindricum, subpedicellatum : Stylus longissimus, filiformis : Stigma capitatum, obscure 3-lobum. This singular plant, which has hitherto only been considered as a native of Martinique, was found by Mr. Guilding in the Island of St. Vincent, with its roots generally interwoven among those of other plants. 47 VOHIRIA TENELLA. Vohiria tenella ,• caule aphyllo unifloro, coroll£E tubo brevi, laciniis lineari-lanceolatis. (Tab. XXV. B.) Vohiria tenella. Guilding's MSS. Has. In solo humido, Montis Sancti Andreae, Insulae Sancti Vin- centij rarissime. Rev. L. Guilding. Omnibus partibus V. aphyllce similis, sed minor, magis tenera, caulis articulis paucioribus multoque longioribus, corollse tubo breW (styloque similiter abbreviato) laciniisque angustioribus, colore roseo. Fmctus est capsula, corolla marcescente tecta, bivalvis, valvis apicibus unitis marginibus intro-flexis et utrinque tectis seminibus numerosissimis minutissimis, arillatis, arillo longo ut in seminibus generis Orchidis. A. Vohiria aphylla. Fig. I. {nat. size.) Pz^. 2. Upper portion of the stem and calyx. Fig. 3. Upper portion of the tube of the co- rolla, containing the stamens. Fig. 4. Pistil : {magnijied). B. Vo- hiria tenella. Fig. 1. [nat. size.) Fig. 2. Capsule, burst, but still covered by the withered corolla. Fig. 3. Seeds with their arillus : magnified. V SCHULTES'S BOTANICAL VISIT TO ENGLAND. It is by no means our intention in the present work, as we have elsewhere stated, to confine ourselves to the giving scientific and systematic descriptions of plants, together with the histories of those species which are valuable in an ceconomical point of view. A part of our pages will be devoted to botanical information and notices, and even to translations from foreign publications, where we may think these calculated to interest and instruct ; for it has been a subject both of regret and inconvenience to us, that in our country no botanical journal is published, though it gave origin to one which may well serve as a model for a future work of the kind, namely, Konig and Sims's Annals of Botany, of which two volumes appeared about twenty years ago. We possess many original memoirs con- nected with our favourite science ; and with these, and the aid of our friends, we trust that the present publication may, in some measure, supply the deficiency of a more regular journal. We have selected among other matter for this present Number, a subject which cannot fail to be interesting to our countrymen ; namely, the opinions which ' a learned German and Naturalist has been led to form upon the Botany, Botanists, and Scientific Institutions of the Metropolis, and some other parts of England, which he visited in 1824. These are published in the Botanische Zeitung for 1825, and are the substance of a letter, addressed from London by Dr. Schultes, a Professor of Landshut in Bohemia, to the celebrated Naturalist, Count Sternberg. We must not be supposed, however, to assent to all that our author has said, either in regard to the objects which he saw, or to the views which he has been led to entertain of different persons and their actions. The shortness of his stay in England, and the circumstance of his obtaining information only through the 49 medium of a foreign language, may be justly offered as an excuse for some inaccuracies ; while an useful warning may be derived from them, as to the caution with which we should, ourselves, in distant countries, form our judgements. In the present instance, the mistakes to which we allude are of so trifling a kind, and are so amusing, that we only wish our En- glish travellers always erred in an equally charitable and cheerful manner. After a passage of twenty-four hours across the Channel, we landed at Harwich on the 26th day of August. Here we had an immediate opportunity of experiencing the vexatious interpretation of a regulation which, under Napoleon's government, would have been cried out against by the EngUsh as an invention of military de- spotism; but which in this land of liberty, as itis called, has subsisted for these hundred years. This law lays a tax of several pence on every pound-weight of books imported into the kingdom. Now we had with us on board the packet half a dozen folios, for the purpose of drying within their pages the plants which we should collect on our journey ; and although these were only old works on Law and Divinity, which were useless except as paper for specimens, we were required nevertheless to pay a tax amounting to thirty florins ; and this merely because they were in the form of books. Much playful argument and some serious remonstrance were employed on this occasion ; and we at length prevailed on the ignorant officer, who could not even read the titles of these works, to allow them to re- main in his hands, (where they would probably be useless except to curl his old red wig withal,) by means of which arrangement we escaped the heavy impost, but were compelled to take our plants, one by one, out of these folios, and to purchase, at a high price, fresh paper in Ipswich ; thus losing both time and money by the bad interpretation of a worse law. May this our unlucky experience serve as a warning for such botanists as shall hereafter travel in England, not to dry the plants which they may collect on their journey in old books with brass clasps. We passed up the river Orwell with the tide, to the little dull town of Ipswich ; admiring in our way the beautiful banks which E 50 skirted this stream, and which seemed to form one grand park. What particularly struck us here was the deep full verdure of the meadows, and the almost black green of the trees, shrubs and plants, which grew in the hedges. We have frequently heard censures passed, and even made them ourselves, on the intense colours of the figures of plants in the Flora Londinensis and English Botany ; but we now plainly perceived that our complaint was unfounded, the prevailing hue of the vegetation being even of a deeper tone than it is represented in those plates. Except Ulex europceus. Genista anglica, and a species of Ruhus, (which, though called by all the botanists of this country R.fruticosus, is not the plant which bears that name on the continent, of which the corollas are always pale red,) we observed nothing in the Flora of the roadsides which struck us as being different from that of Germany. On the 27th, about noon, we proceeded in the mail-coach from Ipswich to Norwich, where, by a fortunate circumstance, we accom- phshed the object of our journey thilher. Sir James E. Smith, to whom we made this pilgrimage, had ust returned home from the country, and was on the point of aga visiting his friends when we called on him at his beautiful house. Our joy was great at finding this most respectable man so far recovered from the severe illness which had threatened his life, as to be again enabled to devote his leisure hours to the amahilis scientia. He was then employed in revising some printed sheets of the third edition of his Introduction to the Study of Botany. Sir J. E. Smith displayed to us the trea- sures of his collection, (in reality the only one of its kind,) with a courtesy and kindness which are peculiar to great and well-educated men ; and which in this truly noble person are heightened by such charms of gentleness and affability, as cannot fail to attract to him most forcibly even such individuals as have but once enjoyed the privilege of his society. The books of Linnaeus, with their margins full of notes in the handwriting of the immortal Swede ; many valu- able MSS. of his, not yet published ; the Linnaean Herbarium, in the same order and even occupying the very cases which had con- tained it at Upsal, (little as the old-fashioned form of these cabinets corresponds with the elegant arrangement of Smith's museum) ; the collection of insects, shells and minerals, which had belonged to this 51 second creator of Nature ; — all these are arranged and preserved by Sir James with a scrupulous care which almost borders on a kind of rehgious veneration. The relics of Mohammed are not enshrined with more devotion in the Kaaba at Mecca, than are the collections of Linnaeus in the house of Sir J. E. Smith at Norwich. Whilst we bless the Providence that has placed these treasures of the Northern Prophet in the hands of such a Caliph, from whom (as Sir James, alas ! has no family) they will pass into the possession of some valued friend or person who knows how to appreciate and feel their high value, and who will respect them as national property, — we, of the continent, must ever lament that they have fallen to the lot of the " toto disjimctos orbe Britannos ;" as it is, unhappily, impossible for every botanist to make a voyage to this island, here to compare his specimens with those of Linnaeus : " Non cuivis homini con- tingit adire Corinthum." And yet, long as a tribunal botankum or a synodus botanica shall continue to be earnestly desired for that common good, which is as much the object of the botanist as of any other child of Adam, so long ' aust we wish that the following plan, which is the only practical ;i remedy to the distant situation of Linnaeus's collections, should l 2 adopted. — We would propose that in every place where botany is pursued with energy, a kind of Filial or Branch Herbarium (if I may so call it) should be established ; consisting of such plants only as have been accurately and faithfully compared with the original collections of Linnaeus, Thunberg, Pallas, Vahl, Desfontaines, Ruiz and Pavon, Willdenow, Humboldt, &c. The excellent Sir J. E. Smith would willingly open his trea- sures, and allow every facihty to those who held these views. If there should arise any opulent botanist on the continent, or if any of the Governments there should institute a complete herbarium, possessing all the Linnaean species, (which it would not be difficult at the present day to gather together,) and if such herbarium were by the proprietor allowed to be compared by an able botanist with that of Linnaeus ; we should then have in that country a faithful copy of the Linnaean Herbarium, which would enable us, in doubtful cases, to determine with precision what it was that the great Swedish naturalist had meant by any given species. Without such a com- parison of the larger collections with each other; for example, that E 2 52 of Berlin with that of Paris, and one or other of these with the Banksian or Lambertian herbaria, — no degree of certainty can be expected ; and from the increase of extensive private unverified col- lections, the science must labour under a heavy disadvantage in the consequent accumulation of synonyms. If Sieber had identified the plants gathered by him in Crete and Egypt with many of those pre- viously collected by Sibthorpe and Desfontaines, much doubt would have been removed ; and if the late travellers in Brazil, Prince Nieuwied, Auguste St. Hilaire, Martins, and Pohl, had compared their treasures before describing them, many useless synonyms would never have existed. To travel from one herbarium to another, and to carry about, in the memory only, the characteristics of doubtful species, may well be found an almost impracticable task ; and the confusion to which such an attempt is apt to give rise may be seen exemplified in one of our latest large botanical works. To decide upon plants which we have not seen, and only know from an erro- neous diagnosis or imperfect description, is like a blind man judging of colours : " Ilfaut voir, dit Vaveugle." Besides the Linnaean herbarium. Sir J. E. Smith has a large col- lection of plants of his own formation, which is especially rich in the productions of New Holland and Nepaul. The worthy Professor Wallich at Calcutta, whose health has lately suffered from an Indian climate, has greatly contributed towards the latter. The Linnsean specimens, as well as Sir James's private herbarium, are very well preserved ; and after the old plan, which is now seldom followed on the continent, they are fastened down on a folio sheet of paper, and washed over with a solution of corrosive sublimate. Sir James has also under his care the plants of Sibthorpe, to aid him in the publi- cation of his Flora Graca, which is now nearly completed. Among the papers of Linnaeus, their present possessor found a number of copies of two pamphlets by this illustrious man, which do not appear to have been ever published. One of them bears the title of" C Linncei Observationes inRegnum Lapidum," and contains a view of the mineral kingdom, so far as it was known at the time of its being printed : the other is intitled " Orbis eruditi Judicium de Caroli Linrmi, M. D. Scriptis." Both fill a complete sheet of letter-press. Sir James was so kind as to give a copy of each to 53 my son and myself, with his own signature affixed. The latter of these pamphlets, sine loco et anno, like the first, appears to be a defence of this illustrious man extorted from him by some of his envious -and prejudiced contemporaries. But what redounds as much to the honour as it must have done to the peace of the cautious and amiable Linnaeus, is, that after having composed this paper, which consists entirely of the testimony which was borne to his character by the principal naturahsts of his time, — such as Boerhaave, Burmann, Sloane, Dillenius, Jussieu, Haller, Gesner, Gleditsch, Breynius, &c. &c. — he afterwards entirely suppressed it; and thereby deprived his opponents of those fresh subjects of disputation, which are sure to arise on such occasions, and which only furnish o-round for sincere pity for the contending parties. It would appear as if the motto which Linnaeus had chosen for this paper, " Famam extollere fadis Hoc virtutis opus" had animated him with this feeling even while composing it. The case is however quite different when the possessor of the Linnaean herbarium, and of the other treasures left by the creator of the amahilis scientia, is called on to defend himself in a couple of pamphlets against a learned body, under the firm of Universitas Cantabrigiensis, and before the whole European public to advocate the laws and privileges of mankind, and consequently those espe- cially of his own country, against the usurping ignorance and fana- ticism of the learned head of one college, who in our German lan- guage would be termed the Pro-rector, and against the fawning sycophancy of some slothful member*. In such cases, we may well exclaim, as Smith has done in his defence, in the words of Milton, " I hate when Vice can bolt her arguments. And Virtue has no tongue to check her pride." * The titles of these two pamphlets, which are scarcely known in Germany, and in which Sir J. E. Smith defends the eternal laws of truth, are : " Considerations respecting Cambridge, more especially relating to the Botanical Professorship ; by Sir J. E. Smith, M.D. F.R.S. President of the Linnaean Society:" — and "A Defence of the Church and the Universities against such injudicious Advocates as Professor Monk and the Quarterly Review; by Sir J. E. Smith," ice. 54 The whole history which Sir J. E. Smith here gives, — and which I shall relate somewhere else, as characteristic of the English Univer- sities, the question being one which affects the botanical world and the pubhc at large, — is briefly as follows : The present Professor of Botany at Cambridge, Mr. Thomas Martyn, having been for many years prevented from lecturing by illness, confided his office of Professor, in so far as it was the foundation of Walker, to the most eminent botanist in England, the President of the Linnaean Society, Sir J. E. Smith. Most of the members of the University were well pleased with this choice, inasmuch as it advanced the celebrity of the high school at Cam- bridge. In compliance with the desire of Martyn, Smith sacrificed his leisure, went to Cambridge, and there proposed to renew the lectures on botany, which for many years had been discontinued. But the Pro-rector of this University, Mr. Monk, formally laid an interdict on the Knight and President of the Linnaean Society, Sir J. E. Smith, prohibiting him from ascending the rostrum, because he was, — a Dissenter ! — that is, a Christian of a different persuasion from Mr. Monk. What would be said of a German University which for such a reason should exclude so distinguished an indivi- dual as Smith ? Had Cambridge been now in the situation of France, groaning under the rod of such an obscure fanatic as the Bishop of Hermopolis ; or had Sir James, in any of his publications or in any part of his conduct, shown the least trace of irrehgion, — then the University would have been justified in this procedure : but not only have all the works of Smith testified their author to be, in the highest sense of the word, a religious character ; but his whole life has been a series of the exercise of Christian virtue and elevated piety. Who would have believed that an University within the walls of which the immortal Erasmus Roterodamus once taught, and which had produced such a man as Milton, should ever, and even in the twentieth year of the nineteenth century, sink to such a depth of barbarity ! (bestialit'dt !) But " omnia jam Jient " &c. ; and we must not wonder that in this island, as well as on the continent, there should be instances of the existence of dull heads and infected hearts in Universities, when the direction of these institutions is entrusted to the learned corps offreres ignorantins. 55 The few hours which Sir James Smith's kindness induced him to devote to me, though he was ready prepared to set off on a journey- to join his Smithia, (a lady of rare talents,) passed away like a moment of time ; just as the sweetest periods of life seem to fleet upon the swiftest wings. I have rarely beheld a more noble coun- tenance ; one indicative of such candour, simplicity and kindness, united with so much clearness of intellect, as that of Sir J. E. Smith ; and the expression of his features will never be obhterated from my memory. Sir James obtained for my son and myself admittance to the noble hospital at Norwich ; after which we quitted this romantic and prettily situated city, and proceeded by way of Newmarket to Cam- bridge. The coach, like all those which carry the mail in England, went at too rapid a rate, and the day closed too early, to allow of our making many observations on the Flora of the somewhat barren country which lies between Norwich and Newmarket. We only noticed, from the road, some beautiful country seats, and a planta- tion of Pinus sylvestris, which, like the other tribes of Fir, is a rarity on the plains of England, not being a native of this country. We hired a postchaise from Newmarket to Cambridge, which is situated in a rather bleak neighbourhood. I shall describe the University in some other place, and only give a few words to the Botanic Garden, which, as far as such an establishment can be known by a Catalogue, is already known on the continent by the third edition which the deceased Donn and Pursh, together with Mr. Lindley, pubhshed in 1823. I had hoped here to meet my late friend Dr. E. D. Clarke, Professor of Mineralogy, who once spent an evening with me at Landshut, on his return from Egypt, and had invited me in return to see him and his Garden at Cambridge. He knew not that he was asking me to come and see his effigy, when he gave me the invitation ; — the marble bust which the University has placed to his honour in the hbrary, is all that was left of my friend. I was told that Dr. Clarke's death was occasioned by the irritation that an insect o-ave rise to, and which was drawn into his nostril by smelling of a flower. The Garden at Cambridge contains about five acres of very bad ground, and there are from five to six thousand species of plants, the 56 greater part of them cultivated in beds. It does not present so pleasing an appearance as the Dutch botanic gardens, but is, how- ever, kept very neat, and is well arranged. The founder of this institution was the great Dr. R. Walker, Vice-master of Trinity- College, who purchased the ground for 1600/. Bradley, the earhest botanist who paid exclusive attention to the succulent plants, was the first Professor of Botany at Cambridge, whom the celebrated Sherard recommended to the University. There were no Lectures given here on botany till the year 1724; so that this eminent university is far behind many of those in Germany in this respect, which long before that period had supported Botanical Professors and Gardens. Bradley ceased to give lectures six years before his death, when Sherard, and the great physician to the royal household Sloane, recommended John Martyn to the situation. Still, in the year 1734, Martyn discontinued his lectures, as there was no bo- tanic garden, and he met with no support. " Botany slept," as Sir J. E. Smith says, " from 1734 till 1761, when R. Walker raised it from a deep slumber. The Professor of Botany had neither salary nor student." Walker provided both; and aided Martyn, who transferred his office to his son, Thomas Martyn, then twenty-six years of age. The latter has been for the last three years pre- vented from lecturing by age and infirmity ; and in 1818 he trans- ferred his situation, (inasmuch as it related to Walker's foundation,) to Sir James E. Smith. But Monk, by interdict and proscription, prevented this worthy man from performing the duties of the Pro- fessorship ; and the University of Cambridge appears to feel as little as it would have done a hundred years ago, that it has for the last six years been deprived of instruction in one of the most beautiful and useful of sciences. The care of the Garden is committed to Mr. Biggs, whom we did not find at home. The stoves are well built, and they may have been hitherto large enough ; but the pro- gress of the science will soon cause their size to be insufficient, as they extend only to 216 feet. A building was erected some years ago, for the lecture-rooms of the Professors of Botany, Chemistry, Mineralogy, and Mechanics. The Alpine plants, among which are some rare species from the Scotch Highlands, are very properly cultivated in small pots, and placed during winter under glass. The 57 assistant-gardener, who conducted me through the orounds, was not able to tell me the annual expenditure of the institution. The work- people receive two shillings a day. The Library of the University contains many rare works ; but little attention seems to be paid to Natural History : and even the collec- tion of Minerals is not considerable, when compared with many of our mineral cabinets in Bavaria. Our stay in London was extremely short ; and we were anxious to take advantage of one of those clear days which are so uncommon in England, in order to visit Oxford, which is only about fifty-eio-ht miles distant from the metropolis. We performed this distance in less than six hours, though at some risk of breaking our necks. Sir J. E. Smith had been so obliging as to give us a letter to his friend Dr. Williams, Professor of Botany and Librarian to the RadclifTe Library at the University of Oxford ; and through the politeness of this highly estimable person we obtained a view of the treasures of natural history in Oxford, and also of the RadclifFe Library and Hospital. The Botanical Garden at this University is the oldest in England, having been founded by Henry Lord d'Anvers Earl of Danby, in 1622, when the first stone was laid of a wall fourteen feet high which still exists, and which it took eleven years to build, at an expense of 5000/. The erection of the gate by Neklaus Stone, for which luigo Jones furnished the design, cost 500/. On either side of the en- trance to the garden stands a statue ; one of king Charles the First, and the other of his son Charles the Second : these were purchased with the amount of a fine, laid on the celebrated antiquarian Anthony a Wood, as a punishment for a satire which this good old man had ventured to publish in the first edition of the Athena; Oxonienses, against the Earl of Clarendon. This garden had originally been the burial-place of the Jews, who lived in great numbers at Oxford, tdl the noted banishment and destruction of these state creditors in the reign of Edward the First 1290. It was afterwards enlarged, and at present includes five acres. This addition of ground was however but a trifling improvement, and the danger of inundation to which it is exposed both in winter and summer still exists. The water fre- quently stands knee-deep above the plants ; and as the lower parts of the garden cannot be sufficiently raised without an inmiense ex- 58 pense, these portions are left quite uncultivated. The active gardener, who is a Scotchman named Baxter, devotes his attention chiefly to the Cryptogamia ; partly from mortification at finding it impossible to make the garden such as he could wish. He is preparing a, Flora Cryptogamica of the environs of Oxford ; and he showed us the first number of this work, containing specimens very neatly laid out, to which we must invite the attention of our countrymen in Germany. Mr. Baxter also cultivates with zeal the English Willows, having a living individual of almost every species, in a proper Salice- tum. To the Grasses, likewise, he gives much attention ; and, from the experience of several years, he is enabled to decide that Agrostis verticillata, vulgaris, decumbens, fasciculata (Curt.), and stolonifera, are distinct species ; which, when subjected to the same culture for a great length of time, still continue to preserve their characteristic marks. This industrious man, — with the assistance of three persons, each of whom receives two shillings per day, — cultivates between four and five thousand species of plants in the wretched houses of this garden, though in fact there is only one stove, properly so called, and this is much too small. Those which grow in the open air are, like the plants of Cambridge, arranged agreeably to the Linnaean method, and separated into the indigenous and foreign kinds ; and both of these are again divided into annual, biennial, and perennial, by which the study of the allied species becomes difficult. They are partly cultivated in beds, partly in separate squares ; without any view to the effect which this must naturally offer to the eye. Although the Oxford Garden is inadequate to the purposes of botanical instruction in the present state of science, and though the excellent Dr. Williams has been prevented from lecturing this year by the weakness of his sight, it yet possesses, in the Library which has been judiciously added to it, a treasure which no other institution of the kind can boast, namely, the Herbarium and MSS.of Dillenius and of Sherard, with the collection of books that had belonged to these two Coryphi. The first contains almost all the original specimens of Cryptogamia, figured by Dillenius in his work which is now become very scarce ; and they are in very good preservation. Perhaps Professor Williams will give us a new edition, with authen- tic and accurate copies of the plates in this typographical rarity ; and add to them the marginal notes of Dillenius. William Sherard 59 not only left to the Garden of this University his valuable herbarium, and his richhbrary which includes some scarce works that are even wanting to that most complete of botanical libraries, the Banksian j but he also bequeathed a sum of 3000/. to the l/niversity, that with the interest thence arising a Professor of Botany might be supported. It is well known that the first person who received this salary was a German, Dillenius. — A Regius Professor, paid by Government, was appointed in 1793 ; and this individual was the celebrated Sibthorpe, whose herbarium (now in the hands of Sir J. E. Smith for the pub- lication of the Flora Gnzca) belongs likewise to the University. A circumstance which stamps with increased value the herbaria of Dillenius, Sherard, and Bobart, is, that the two first have, annexed to their well preserved specimens, the synonyms and references of co- temporary authors, particularly those of Plukenet, Petiver, and Sloane, in their respective handwritings, as that of Sibthorpe bears the Lin- nsean names ; by which the very frequent old synonyms are well elucidated. I suggested to Professor Wilhams the advantage that would arise from causing some young botanist to draw up a com- plete catalogue of the plants in the collection of Dillenius and She- rard, copying at the same time the synonyms, which after a previous revision might be pubhshed. The science of botany, or at least its history, would thus, in my opinion, gain immensely. It is much to be desired, in general, that a hst of all the great Herbaria were printed ; each plant having its place of growth and first describer noted : this would offer great facihties to the compilers of future monographs on different genera ; —at least a person would know where to look for what he might otherwise long seek in vain. Professor Williams related to me the following anecdote respecting Linnffius, which is traditionally preserved in the Oxford Garden, and which deserves to be also known in Germany. — Linnasus pre- sented himself at Oxford to Dillenius and Sherard, being then a very young man, and his system having as yet made but little noise in the world of science. The latter received him with cordiality ; but Dillenius was very cool, and said to Sherard, " This is the young fellow who is putting all botanists and botany into confusion." Lin- nseus did not understand the English language, in which this remark was made, but yet he recognized in the word caujiuschjen (so pro- nounced by Dillenius in his German accent), the Latin epithet covfusio. 60 He was silent : Sherard and Dillenius walked up and down in the garden with their new acquaintance, and stopped by a wall over- grown with Antirrhinum (Linaria) Cyinbalaria ; a plant upon which they were desirous to have the opinion of Linnaeus, as much doubt had existed respecting it. Linnaeus removed these difficulties with his natural perspicuity. The gentlemen again pointed to a second, and a third plant, of which they felt uncertain; and again the Swede explained the dubious points with perfect ease. Dillenius was surprised ; and Sherard observed to him that he could perceive " no confusion at all" in Linnaeus. He invited the stranger to dine with him ; and during the several days that Linnaeus remained in Oxford, he found that the dislike which Dillenius had at first entertained towards him, wore gradually away, and gave place to esteem and friendship. On taking leave, Linnaeus remarked to Dillenius, that he should be very sorry to have brought confusion into the Garden at Oxford. Dillenius blushed, and apologized for the hasty word which had escaped his lips. — I entertained Dr. Williams with an anecdote of Dillenius, in consequence of which this meritorious man is, in Germany, regarded as a kind of simpleton. " Most of my countrymen," replied Dr. Williams, " look upon him as not a hair better." After having gathered some twigs of trees, planted here by the hands of Dillenius, as a kind of memento of him, we quitted the garden, and followed Professor Williams into his temple the Biblio- theca Radclijfiana. A richer collection than this in works of natural history, physic, and medicine, except perhaps that of Sir Joseph Banks, does not exist in any country. — I pass over the description of the beautiful building which contains it, though one of the finest in Oxford ; and from the cupola of which a most noble view of the city is obtained, being the situation whence the panorama of Oxford was taken. The foundation of this edifice was laid in 1737, and it was opened in 1749 by the executors of Dr. RadclifFe ; who had left to the University a sum of 40,000/. to build the Library, with 150Z. a year for the librarian, and 100/. annually to purchase new books, and as much more to defray the expense of needful repairs. This income would be quite inadequate to cover the cost of procuring yearly the requisite new publications ; but this desirable object has been attained by an arrangement with the Bodleian Library. To the latter institu- tion every author in England is by law compelled to send a copy of 61 his book ; and the Bodleian has agreed to cede to the Radchffian Library all those upon medico-physical subjects. The experience which, as a naturalist and physician. Dr. Williams possesses, renders his services far more valuable to the institution than the inefficient labours of the learned pedants, to whom the office of librarian is frequently committed. The books are arranged in ethnographicid order. The country between Oxford and Henley, half-way back to Lon- don, is so beautiful that we determined to perform this distance on foot. Our expectations of a new Flora were not however realized : except Ulex europccus, and in some places a great number of Ferns we met with nothing more interesting than what usually occurs with us. At Henley we took a stage-coach, and passing the villas of Herschel and Banks, arrived in London. To become properly acquainted with the botanists and state of botany in London would require half a year at least, and we had only half a month in which to attain this object; and were obliged to ceconomize every moment, as we had all the Hospitals also to visit. We particularly desired to make the acquaintance of Mr. Don ; through whose means we hoped to see the Linnsean Society, and the herbarium of Lambert. We had been told so much of the pohteness of this learned man, that we hope he will ascribe the great degree of trouble which we occasioned him, to the character for affiibility which he every where possesses. The preference which the first botanists in London have shown for Mr. Don, by entrusting their treasures to his charge, is as honourable to themselves as to the object of their choice ; and the " dehghtful science" is an equal gainer. Mr. Don is a man in the flower of his age, and, like all the Scotch- men whom we had the pleasure of knowing in London, a person of remarkable frankness and candour. We are greatly obliged to him for the reception which he was so kind as to give us ; he obtained for us a view of the Linnaean Society's apartments, Soho-square : a Cyathea from Nepaul stood on the stairs, as high as the house ; it might have been used on its voyage to Europe for the mast of a ship. The herbarium is in the hall ; very beautifully arranged, with British elegance and solidity. The cases in which the animals, chiefly birds, are preserved, are made of the wood of Fliiidersia au- 62 stralis. The rich hbrary of this estabhshment contains many valu- able works, which are wanting to the great universities, academies, and national collections of the continent. The hall in which the meetings of the Society are held, struck us as being a far finer apartment than the House of Commons ; and we even thought this latter very inferior to the House of Commons at Munich, which is only used every third year ; while again the Hall of Assembly of the Academy at Munich is a mere lumber-room compared with that of the Linnsean Society. The busts of Linnseus and Banks, and of our countryman Trew, and the portraits of Solander and Pulteney, orna- ment this elegant apartment. All that we were, unfortunately, able to see of Sir J. Banks's herbarium and library was from the windows of the Linnsean Society's house ; for Sir Robert Brown was gone to Naples, and had taken with him thekey of the Banksian collection*. We were more successful at Count Lambert's, though with the dis- appointment of not finding at home this venerable sage of seventy years, who has made such sacrifices to botany. He was at his country-seat of Boyton in Wiltshire, some eighty miles, we were told, distant from the capital. Mr. Don, however, had the key to Lambert's sanctum ; and his goodness afforded us a view of its botanical trea- sures, accumulated from all parts of the world. The collection of plants contains above 36,000 species ; and if its increase continues with its former giant strides, it will soon exceed every other. This immense herbarium, of which the noble proprietor has given some information in the second part of his magnificent work on the genus Pinus, consists of no fewer than fifty herbaria, each of which would singly be worth to a botanist more than any pearl in the Mogul's crown. I shall here only mention a few of them, besides the great English one, of the Count's own formation: viz. the plants of Afzelius and Balduinus; the collection made by Baxter in New Holland ; the herbaria of Broussonet, Brown (the author of a work on the botany * We really think that it would have been quite an overstretching of that public- spirited liberality, with which both the former and the present proprietor of the Banksian collection have ever opened its treasures to the use of science, if Sir Robert Brown, when going to Italy, had thought it necessary to leave the key of Sir J. Banks's library and herbarium in the door. — Ed. 63 of Jamaica), of Lord Bute, Hill, and Caley (the latter had spent seven years in New Holland); of Cavanilles, Clarke (who had accompanied Cripps); Durandes, Forster, Flinders, Forsyth, Fraser, Gouan, Hamil- ton (formerly known under the name of Buchanan), Hawkins, and Sibthorpe ; Hibbert, Hudson, Jack, Captain King, Governor King ; a Japanese herbarium (considered as very valuable) ; the plants of Martin (the well known prize, from which Rudge described his Flora Guyanensis)\ of Masson, Arch. Menzies, of Nuttall(from the Mis- souri) ; Pallas, Governor Phihpps, Ponthieu's plants from Jamaica; the museum of the Duchess of Portland, Pursh's herbarium, Raffles's, Richardson's (who was with Franklin), Lieut. Roes (Ross's?), Rox- burgh's, Ruiz', and Pavon's (Count Lambert paid 1500/. for the latter); Sabine's, Seaforth's (from Barbadoes), Sello's, Sieber's, Staunton's, White's (from New South Wales), Wilkins's, Wiles's, &c. &c. If the number of these collections surprises us, the magnificence and variety of the specimens, and the care with which they are preserved, — some under glass, as many of the ArundinacecE ; some in pasteboard boxes, others in mahogany cases ; while entire branches of several species of Banksia, Dryandra, and Protea, are kept, each in their proper place ; with tubes of the Sarracenia and Nepenthes carefully laid on fine cotton and stuffed with the same material, so as to look as perfect as when growing in the stove, — must excite our still greater admiration. The Cinchonas, which are among the grandest of Lam- bert's favourite tribes, fill three parcels, each probably containing two hundred specimens. This truly noble Count, — who is to England vsrhat Count Sternberg is to Bohemia, Count HofFmannsegg to Saxony, and Baron De Lessert to France, — is still by no means among the number of those Enghsh Lords " gnifms Pactolus ftuit :" but with his well employed thousands he has done more for science, and con- sequently been more useful to mankind, than many with their hun- dreds of thousands. His name will therefore live in the annals of improvement, and for centuries and centuries be held in grateful remembrance. Whilst we were employed in viewing Count Lambert's treasures, a little man dressed in black entered the apartment ; and he cast a glance full of sorrow and indignation upon some packages which belonged to the herbarium of Ruiz and Pavon. This look attracted 64 my attention, as did the general elevated physiognomy of this person. I could not suppress my curiosity, and asked Mr, Don who this little man might be. When he replied, Senor Lagasca! I threw myself into the arms of my old friend, who was much puzzled to imagine who I could be, for we had only known each other by correspondence, which had continued for some years ; and here we met, as in a dream, where we least expected to see one another. Poor Lagasca ! he had not only lost all his domestic happiness, (his wife and five children being in Cadiz,) and his fortune ; but also his great herbarium ; the manuscript of his Flora of Spain, on which he had been employed for more than twenty years, and which was ready to be printed ; even the manuscript of his Monograph of the Cerealia, with the dried specimens belonging to it, on which he had laboured at Seville and there completed it, — all, all were destroyed ! He saved nothing from the great shipwreck of that Cortes to which his talents and virtue had raised him, but his own life. Far from his beautiful country, and from his beloved relations, he now lives in the foggy and expen- sive London, where he participates in the afflictions of so many of his worthy and exiled countrymen ! Lagasca and I met almost daily after this interview, and made some botanical excursions together : among other places, to the cele- brated gardens of Kew. We did not see Mr. Townsend Aiton, as he had been called away to Windsor ; but in this well known garden, whose Catalogue has given it so much celebrity, we did not find the pleasure that we had anticipated. We were disappointed particularly in the plants which grow in the open air, which are not so accurately named as those in the Gottingen Botanic Garden, superintended by Schrader : sometimes the same species is marked with two different names. The garden at Kew consists of a fine park, and a large botanical garden of about twenty acres. What we usually term a park in Germany is like anything rather than what receives the same appellation in England ; and which is neither more nor less than a wood, in which nature and art seem to dispute for the original formation and present possession. As in a wood, one may walk, ride and drive about it, without risk of interruption. English parks are in fact beautiful woods, and nothing more ; and it will ever remain one of the most difficult problems in the delightful science of laying 65 out pleasure-grounds, so to plan a charming wood, as that he who is in it shall not know whether he be in a grove or a house. We have on the continent many exquisitely formed gardens, under the name of English ones ; but an English park I have only seen in En- gland. The Botanic Garden at Kew is surrounded by high walls, and intersected into long squares. With regard either to its plan, or its nine or ten stoves, it will not bear a comparison with those of Malmaison, or the Grand Duke of Weimar, of Prince Esterhazy at Eisenstadt, or even with the botanical division of tlie Imperial Garden at Schonbrunn. A Supplement to the Hortns Kewensis, under the inspection of Sir Robert Brown, will soon be published : many species which were formerly cultivated here, are said to be lost. Our countryman, the celebrated flower-painter, Mr. Francis Bauer, with whom I had the honour of being acquainted some years since at Vienna, resides at Kew. I regretted his absence from home when I called to pay my respects to him. The garden of the Horticultural Society at Turnham Green, scarcely half an hour's distance from Kew, is of far greater importance to the art of gardening, which is indeed the proper design of the study of botany. This establishment, which is described in the Horticul- tural Transactions, is likely to prove of incalculable advantage to Britain and to all Europe : every branch of Horticulture, except the ornamental, being here pursued to the greatest extent and according to the purest scientific principles ; such as the cultivation of fruits and vegetables, both forced and in the open air ; and of flowers, whether abroad or under glass. No less than thirty-three acres of land are destined to the accomplishment of the necessary experi- ments, surrounded by a lofty wall, and again walled off" into par- titions. By this plan, however, the Society appears to have inten- tionally sacrificed the picturesque. About forty workmen are kept in this Vineyard of the Lord, who are under the superintendence of a very able gardener, Mr. Munro. At present there are five stoves, two of them built after the newest plan, with convex windows, which are found to be highly advantageous. A very large house is to be erected next year, and heated by steam. We of Germany must long want a great advantage which the English possess in their stoves ; namely, the very slender iron frame-work in which the panes VOL. r. F 66 of glass are inclosed, thus uniting durability with the advantage of admitting the greatest quantity of light. The price of these iron frames in England, where every thing is six times as expensive as with us in Bavaria, amounts to no more than what we should pay for a frame of wood that would not last above a year. The Horticultural stoves contain many valuable plants from China and Sierra Leone ; brought by Mr. Don's brother, who had resided there for some time. So fine a collection of Roses exists no where else ; the celebrated Mr. Sabine, who is secretary to the Society, having been engaged in studying this tribe for almost thirty years. They are arranged in large squares ; one might almost say, in small groves of roses, native and foreign, single and double. On comparing this garden with those of the ancient universities of Cambridge and Oxford, one can- not for a moment hesitate in declaring the superior influence that this must have in benefiting the country ; although it has only been formed within these few years, by the joint exertions of a few private individuals. The friend of mankind contemplates with pleasure how much more a well-directed Society of spirited men can effect in ten or twelve years, with the small sum of about 60,000 florins, raised among themselves, than has been performed by the two great learned bodies of the kingdom, with their millions. Whoever doubts the influence which the Horticultural Society has produced on the nation, or who thinks that our ideas of its value are over-rated, we would advise him to attend one of their sittings, and there to see what is done by the members of this institution ; and then, like that wisest of the Apostles, Thomas, when he shall have weighed in his hand what is sent thither, when he shall have tasted of the fruit, and inhaled the rich perfume diff'used by pines, peaches and nectarines, he will perhaps satisfy himself that it is not all a phantasmagoria. We had the honour of being present at a meeting of the Society in September 1824, and we must confess that although conversant with the rear- ing of fruit for almost forty years, we had never beheld finer peaches, nectarines, plums, melons, grapes and pine-apples, than we saw here. We had been much disappointed in the London fruit-markets, where we certainly saw uncommonly fine-looking fruit; but on tasting, found them to be acid or insipid, compared with the produce of our south- ern hemisphere, in Tyrol, the South of France, and Lower Hungary : 67 but after having enjoyed the flavour of the fruit here presented to ug; it was easier for us to abandon our prejudices against this kind of English produce, than to conceive how so northern and foggy a cli- mate could have brought to perfection such rich fruit ; how Art has thus overcome the omnipotence of Nature. The Horticultural Society possesses a very valuable pomological and botanical hbrary, with a beautiful collection of models in wax of fruits, and two volumes of drawings made in China of native plants. The well-known Mr. Lindley, to whose kindness we owed our ad- mission to the Society's collections, superintends here the botanical business of this establishment, and resides therefore at Turnham Green. Mr. Lindley is also engaged in several botanical publica- tions, among which is the Botanical Register, in which he executes the work of Mr. Bellender Ker, alias Mr. Gawler, whose very bad health has compelled him to reside for some time at Boulogne. In the same district with the two just-mentioned gardens, — namely at Chelsea, south-west of London, — is the celebrated Hortus Chelse- anus, at one time under the direction of Miller, and particularly de- signed for the culture of officinal plants. Mr. Don was so obliging as to introduce us to the present curator, Mr. Anderson, a very amiable, open-hearted old man, who received us with Scottish kindness. Sloane's statue ornaments this garden, which possessing neither great size nor beauty, and still less elegance, yet includes, among the six thousand plants there cultivated, many very rare officinal vegeta- bles, some which are to be found nowhere else. He who would here study botany has a rich field open to him, its value enhanced by Mr. Anderson's experienced remarks. There are standing in this garden, like twin brothers, two noble cedars planted by Miller's own hand; a Pistacia Lentiscus growing against a wall, and which he had raised from seed ; and a Plat anus, whose growth has made an in- crease of sixteen feet in circumference since the time of Miller. I saw here all the three species of Platanus, and was surprised at hearing that the Occidental Plane does not thrive well in the mild climate of England, as it shoots too early in the spring, and then suffi-rs severely from the late frosts. I observed also Samhucus nigra, " foliis ternatis," which grows wild on the ruins of an old Roman wall in Wiltshire, but without perfect stamens, which it equally wants in the Chelsea f2 68 Garden. Among the Succulents, particularly the Aloes, are many that were in the possession of Miller. Banks has also left here a memento of his youth, in the invention of an experiment that will outlive him, much as its success was doubted at first. Mr. Ander- son confirms it, by saying that when a tree or shrub is inoculated with a variegated-leafed variety, the foliage of the grafted stem be- comes also gradually variegated. He showed us a proof of it in a Jasmine, which was only budded with a variegated jasmine, and now covers a whole wall with its particoloured leaves. It is a question, whether this variegation may not be produced in the same way by inoculating variegated buds on any tree favourable to the develop- ment of the buds. Besides a small botanical library, existing at the time of Miller, the herbariums of Catesby, Rand and Nicholls, are also preserved here in well-closed cases : they appear, however, to be but little used, for we found the top papers so covered with coal soot as to blacken our hands. It is sad to see how the coal smoke penetrates every where. There is a collection of seeds by the venerable Rand, whose beautiful arrangement may have suggested theleadingideaof the work by the two Gaertners. The Chelsea Garden is continually receiving seeds from all parts of the world : a large collection, sent by Baron Field, who is a Judge there, from New Holland, had just arrived. The liberal Mr. Anderson kindly offered us a portion of this valuable present, which we have divided again with other friends. Mr. An- derson related to us, not without painful feelings of just indignation, the history of the latter days of the immortal Miller. This zealous officer was dismissed in the most illiberal manner by one of the com- mittee who then superintended the Garden, as a reward for his unre- mitting services to the institution, as well as his extensive knowledge in gardening. He soon after died of grief, and left — nothing ! Fifteen gardeners united, and subscribed a guinea each for a gravestone ; but as just at that time the son of Miller returned from India with a for- tune of 15,000/., and it being naturally supposed that the opulent son would erect a monument to his parent, the simple stone was given up : — yet the son never thought of rearing a monument to his illus- trious father. Sir Joseph Banks then set on foot a new subscription, to which he himself contributed five pounds ; and the opulent nur- 69 serymen and others soon raised a considerable sum : nevertheless this plan came to nothing, as the son was thereby offended. How- ever, the young Miller died soon after, and had a monument erected for himself and his father together. We also visited the garden of the cheerful Haworth, at Queen's Elms, near Chelsea, who indefatigably and exclusively studies the Succulent Plants, and possesses many extremely rare ones. More than 200 Aloes, 360 Mesembryanthema, and 90 Crassulee, are in his collection. Mr. Haworth seems a very communicative and kind- hearted little man : he has the happiness already of beino- a o-iand- father, though in the prime of his age. We had wished to see the respectable Mr. SaUsbury's garden ; but were told that he had sold it, and was living with a friend in the country during the fine weather. We were sorry to lose the opportunity of being acquainted with this celebrated botanist. Fortunately, we had the pleasure of seeing in London the Nestor of the London botanists, who has already passed the eightieth degree of human latitude, — namely, the celebrated Dr. Sims, whom we found indefatigably employed in the continuation of the Botanical Magazine, although with a trembling hand, and a liead bowing down under the ponderous weight of the reverend silver crown of ag-e. A no less venerable and highly amiable sage is the good old man of the mountains, (e monte Grampio,) Sir Archibald Menzies, of the Grampians, among which he was born, at Chapel Place, in the month of March 1754. (!) Flora has presented this valuable old man with a truly viridem senectutem, in reward for the homage which he offered to her in his twice repeated voyage round the world. " And were another expedition going, I would immediately set off again/' said Sir Archibald to us. He has lately returned from an excursion to Scotland ; when his countrymen on taking leave of hiui threw the Menziesia *, accompanied with a thousand blessings, into * We must really beg leave to question the accuracy of this anecdote. We had the happiness of receiving Mr. Menzies at our house in his return from the High- lands, and heard nothing of this story of the Menziesia. Nor can Dr. Schultes be aware of the extreme rarity of this plant. Scarcely a single botanist has seen it on its native mountains, not even Mr. Menzies hinisclf; so that wc well believe thai 70 the coach. He is now as active as a person of forty, and is in great practice as a surgeon in London. A neater herbarium than that of Sir A. Menzies I never saw : the Cyperacese and Graminese, as well as the Mosses and Ferns, (the latter are his favourites,) are laid out with the utmost care in octavo papers, and packed in cases, so as to be ready to be taken on board ship again at a moment's notice. Sir Archibald Menzies informed us, with evident pleasure, that two of his countrymen (of Scotland) are about to enjoy the same privi- lege of travelling as his own youth had received ; — a Mr. MacGray having been sent as a botanist, in that vessel which carried home the remains of the king of the Sandwich Islands, to the South Seas ; and another, Mr. Douglas, being gone, in a similar capacity, to the Columbia River. A Mr. Frost, also, has visited America. From Menzies, too, we learned that Brodie, lieutenant of the County of Nairn and member of Parliament, has lately died. At Mr. Lambert's Museum we had the great good fortune to be- come acquainted with Dr. Richardson, the celebrated companion of Capt. Franklin in his expedition to Arctic America. This gentleman, who lives at Chatham, was so obliging as to show us his herbarium, which contains many rarities, and a great number of new species, particularly belonging to the genera Ranunculus, Rubus, and Poten- tilla. Before starting on the voyage which he will undertake next year in the direction of the North Pole, — for not all the ice of those frozen regions has power to cool his ardour in the cause of science, —Dr. Pcichardson will prepare a new edition of his Appendix. Mr. Andrews the botanist was not at home ; he is proceeding with his works on the EriccE, and Gerania. At the British Museum we had expected to find a treasure of Natural History; but, — except Sloane's collection of dried plants in thirty volumes, and an herbarium which belonged to a Mr. Van Moll, with a small but well preserved set of British birds, — we found nothing that interested us at all. The department of Minerals is if our venerable friend had been greeted with such a shower of his beautiful name- sake, the day would have been one of the happiest of his life ; and the freshly pulled specimens would have been at least as acceptable as the blessings which accompanied them.— Ed, 71 beautifully arranged by the celebrated German, Mr. Konig ; but ex- cept some very rare unique specimens, it is inferior to the two col- lections at Paris, belonging to the Museum and the Ecole des Mines, as well as that of the Academy at Munich. Two tables that we saw here, covered with beautiful specimens of Carpolitha, would en- gage the attention of Count Sternberg for weeks ; and he would be delighted to compare them with those treasures that lie is himself so well acquainted with, and has so liberally communicated to the pubhc. An immense building is in progress ; with the addition of which the British Museum, now of inconsiderable size, will fill an entire square of the city of London. But to render this institution as rich in subjects of Natural History as it is in antiques, or as the Museum d'Histoire Naturelle at Paris was, or as is the collection of Leyden in the department of the animal creation, would be the work of half a century. It is really incredible that a nation, pos- sessed of the greatest conquests and making the most extended dis- coveries in all parts of tlie world, should have collected so scantily for its public Museum : and the more so, as England boasts of men of the most distinguished character in all branches of Natural Hi- story. How is it possible that the British can allow the two neigh- bouring nations whom they look down upon in many respects, to excel them in this way as much as they are outdone by them in others ? This enigma would be to me perfectly inexplicable, if a solution to it were not afforded by the state of the two Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, where the science of Natural History is at so low an ebb. Except the periodical works on Botany, and the Second Part of the publication on the genus Pinus by Count Lambert, we neither saw nor heard of any novelties in this department ; except that we were informed that twenty sheets of Wallich's and Carey's Flora Coromandeliana had arrived in London. Mr. * * * * therefore was wrong, when he asserted with a haughty look three years ago, " A Second Part of this work will never appear !" We have visited the celebrated flower-market of London ; of which no German who has not seen it, could form a proper idea. What chiefly struck us is, that the greatest rarities and most trifling articles are here exposed for sale together, and that both are eagerly 72 bought. Were such things to be carried to the Marche aux Fleurs at Paris, not a pennyworth of them would be sold. But by the two flower-markets of these two principal cities of Europe, an estimate of the different character of their inhabitants may be formed. The wealthy and respectable Englishman, who is a connoisseur, will pur- chase nothing that is common ; for if pretty, he has it already in his garden ; — and the poor Londoner who cannot afford to buy what is beautiful, will still obtain, if possible, something green to decorate the window of his dark little attic *, and give his last farthing for a bit of verdure. The opulent Frenchman, who values all objects only as they please the eye, without reference to their being common or scarce, is willing to pay a greater price for a lovely rose-bush, than for the rarest plant from New Holland or the Cape of Good Hope ; and as to the poor artizan of the French capital, he only thinks of vegetable productions as they are fit for culinary uses ; and whether they be blue or green to look at, is the same to him. Hence it arises that the Parisian flower-market offers a much more delightful vista than that of London, though it is much smaller and more poorly stocked; as the French capital itself cannot compare with London for extent or wealth. If the French pave the squares of their city that they may afford a more agreeable promenade, the English change theirs into delight- ful lawns, which afford a prospect of verdure to every house in the square. In the larger squares, these green plots are planted with groups of trees ; and in the smaller ones with clumps of flowering bushes and shrubs, often interspersed with trees. By this arrange- ment, these quadrangles, and the houses which surround them, have quite a rural and romantic appearance. According to the capa- bilities of the situation, these plots are sometimes square, sometimes oval or circular ; and they are railed in with a light tasteful palisade * Perhaps from the custom of the ancient Romans (for the English still retain traces of the manners of that people): ^'jam in fenestris suis plebs urbana in imagine hortorum quotidiana oculis ruris prebebant, antequam prajigi prospectus omnes coegit multitudinis innumeratiE sava latrocinatio." Plin. Nat. Hist. xiv. cap. 4. By this " prafigi prospectus" is not that most shameful of all imposts, the window- tax comprehended, by which the people are in a nceasure deprived of that most universal of all nature's gifts — light f 73 which does not injure the prospect. Where the streets are very wide, there is in front of every house a small garden, fenced in front, and generally containing a small green, and some tufts of elegant shrubs or beautiful flowering plants, which give to the whole street a cheerful, and to a certain degree a theatrical appearance. The houses themselves are often covered as high as the second story with Jasmine, Roses (particularly Rosa semperjiorens and Banksii), with Clematis, Corchoriis japonicus, Bignonia radicans, and the like, or entwined with them as a beautiful garland. Camellias (?), Rhodo- dendrons, and Dahlias, usually form the clumps on the green places before the houses, which are no where seen in such perfection as in England j for the beauty of these verdant lawns, which extend in front of the dwellings like a green velvet carpet, has often attracted my attention ; and I have inquired of several gardeners the names of the particular species of grass employed for this purpose. Agrostis alba, verticillata, and stolonifera, Poa pratensis, Lolium perenne, and Fes- tuca pratensis, have all been indifferently named : almost every person has mentioned some other kind than has been recommended by my former informants ; but all agree in this, that these grass plots re- quire to be mown carefully every fortnight, — some say even every week, — with the scythe ; in fact, to be close shaven. To the great frequency with which the grass is cut, the beauty of these lawns, or bowling-greens, seems to be chiefly owing : their fine preservation is also aided by the mild and equable climate of England, where the winters are never so severe as to check vegetation for any long period, nor the summers so scorching as to burn up the tender roots ; while the frequent fogs and constantly damp state of the atmosphere morning and evening are highly favourable to verdure. Were the lawns in our country to be mown so often and so close, they would infallibly be soon burnt up. The opulent Englishman is so partial to a o-arden, that if his house should chance to have a northern ex- posure where not a ray of sun can reach, he will yet plant it with evergreen shrubs, as the Ilex ; and with such flowers as are found capable of enduring such an aspect. It is the general taste that prevails for plants, to which the number of nursery-grounds, and the astonishingly active business that they carry on, are owing. The success of so many marchands des plantes continually encourages 74 their increase ; and I am told that not a year passes without the estabUshment of some new institution of this kind. On the way to Hammersmith to see Kennedy and Lee's Nursery, we met the pro- prietors of two others. Gray and Sons, and Malcolm and Co. at Kensington. The house of Lee and Kennedy, so well known with PS on the continent, has lately experienced great changes. Mr. Ken- nedy has withdrawn from the concern, and is gone to Amiens in France ; and the old Lee died about two months ago. At present, the sons carry on the management of this large nursery, which they themselves say contains one hundred acres, and requires the labour of from one hundred and fifty to two hundred workmen. Although this estimate seems to me enormously large, yet thus much is cer- tain, that it is one of the greatest nurseries in London, and carries on an extensive trade both at home and abroad. The more common kinds of plants seem to be chiefly cultivated here ; although there are three hundred species of Erica, and half of every day is allotted to the management of Camellias. The stoves are of the usual kind : there is no pond for the convenient watering of the plants ; nor have the proprietors published a new Catalogue. Mr. Colville, on the road to Chelsea, certainly has the rarer kinds of plants in his collection. Messrs. Mackay and Co., Fraser, &c. have also gardens in this neighbourhood. We here became acr quainted with Mr. Sweet, whose publications on the Gerania and Hortus Suburhanus are well known. Many unknown and rare ve- getables from all parts of the world, particularly Nepaul, New Hol- land, and New Zealand, and the tolerably well explored Cape of Good Hope, exist in Mr. Colville's Nursery : but the estabhshment of this kind, which belongs to Mr. Conrad Loddiges, appeared to us the largest and finest in England. It would be hard to say whether its great extent, the beautiful productions with which it is stocked, or the judgement, taste, and liberality with which it is conducted, are most worthy of admiration. With regard to the latter point, we will venture to say, that much as we have travelled and seen, we have met with no stoves, belonging to prince, king, or emperor, which can compare with those of Messrs. Loddiges, at Hackney, for the magnificence, convenience and elegance of their plan, and the value of their contents. Let my reader imagine a dome, eighty 75 feet long and forty feet high, built in the form of a paraboloid, purely of glass, kept together by a delicate but strong frame of small iron ribs. This dome is heated by steam, when the rays of the sun are found insufficient to warm it. In ascending to the upper part of it by an elegant stage thirty feet high, we thence enjoy a scene entirely novel to a native of Europe : the tropical plants of both hemispheres, the eastern and the western, are stretched below at our feet ; and the prospect is similar to what might be presented on a hill clothed with tropical verdure, through an opening in which we might look at the scenery beyond. A slight touch with one finger suffi.ces to bring down from the light roof of this dome a fine shower of rain, which sprinkles all the exotic vegetation among which you walk. To this gentle and careful manner of watering the plants, (the nearest mode of imitating nature,) may be ascribed the rich luxu- riance of the inmates of this stove. Besides this house, there are some twenty others, from one hundred and fifty to three hundred feet long, and greenhouses of various dimensions ; all situated in two large gardens, containing about one hundred acres, divided by a wall, in wliich plantations are scattered. One of the houses, built after the newest plan with convex windows, is stocked with nearly four hundred kinds of Heath. I am spared the task of enumerating the rarities of this garden, by the 13th edition of its Catalogue, published in 1823 ; and the pretty work called the Botanical Cabi- net, which appears regularly. — 'As we were walking in the garden, through ranges o{ Camellia, Rhododendron, Azalea, &c. accompanied by one of the sons of Mr. Loddiges, we took the liberty of asking him what might be the value of the plants in the whole collection, supposing that every one in the Catalogue were sold according to its price as there marked? " About 200,000/." was the reply : that is, 2,800,000 florins. The cultivation of gardens cannot therefore be so paltry an occupation as some individuals at the University of Landshut would have us to believe, who, while tliey will spend 6000 florins in a beer cellar, yet allow the botanical garden there, which might serve as a nursery-ground for the whole country, to fall to decay in a manner as useless as it is mean ; and this too, when the gardens of the other Universities of Germany have been lately doubled and trebled in extent. As President of the Botanical Gar^ 76 den at Landshut, it becomes me thus publicly to declare this matter, in order that the disgrace which must accrue to the University, which is so far behind her German sisters, may not fall upon me, but on those who, contrary to the wishes of those wise promoters of good, — the Bavarian government, — have brought this stain upon Landshut, and whose names will be pronounced by posterity with the contempt they deserve. Let us only consider what a multitude of people are employed and maintained in London alone by these nurseries : not in labouring the ground and tending the plants only, but in making the millions of pots, of which the smallest costs a halfpenny (a gros- chen of our money) ; in manufacturing the immense quantity of glass which is used; in executing the smiths' and carpenters' work ; — and it must then be readily confessed, that the improvement of a people has attained a high pitch, when the most pure, noble, and innocent kind of pleasure and taste, namely the enjoyment of the beauties of vegetation, has become a necessary ; and thereby bestows food, clothing, and comfort on thousands of individuals, who must other- wise be a burthen to society. The nurserymen of London, from their great business, several of which annually return half a million, are obliged to have counting-houses of their own. Many of them keep travelling botanists in their pay, who from the most remote parts of the globe must send them seeds, roots, and living plants. In China, the East Indies, the Cape of Good Hope, at Sierra Leone, New Holland, New Zealand, Paraguay, Chili, Mexico, and the most northern parts of America and Siberia, many of these enterprising in- dividuals have collectors ; so that Geography is often improved by the trade of horticulture. How reprehensible therefore is the con- duct of those who, — instead of promoting the culture of gardens and the love of plants, by which, according to the immortal Bacon, the mind and heart are alike improved, — endeavour to suppress and stifle all industry ; and whilst they instruct youth in such detestable max- ims, as that " sin alone is the road to God," ( ! ) corrupt the rich and demoralize the poor. In Bavaria we have only one great person vt'ho possesses a garden that deserves the name (except that at Irl- bach) ; and this nobler personage than Bavaria ever numbered among her magnates, is also the friend of that first ruler of Bavaria under whose happy government Botany and Horticulture began to 77 be known. Is it not mortifying to behold the nurserymen of England displaying more taste and wealth than our nobility ? Perhaps I shall be answered, " It is only possible in England ; only the natives of that opulent isle could do so !" — I beg pardon : Mr. Loddio-es, the celebrated gardener and botanist, is no Enghshman ; he is — a Ger- man, a Hanoverian. In his youth he came over to this country as a gardener, possessing no other fortune than industry, talent and worth ; and he is now an old man of eighty-six ; a millioiinaire, the father of many hundred English citizens ( ! ), who for almost half a century have afforded to others the maintenance, without which they might have starved. He has the felicity of seeing two of his sons grown up, and very much like him ; and grandsons who promise to be so too. His name will shine conspicuous in the annals of British Horticulture, and be pronpunced with respect by all who honour virtue and good sense. The respectable old Loddiges strongly re- minded both my son and myself of my immortal friend the late Bertuch of Weimar. I have asked of many, I may say of very many Englishmen, why the great island in the west, called Ireland, is less known with re- spect to its botany, than Canada, Greenland, and Iceland. From all of whom I have received, instead of an answer, the remark, " That is a land of ." Also I am assured that " it is safer to travel among savages than in the west coast of Ireland, where one is pestered by the Catholic clergy, and in momentary danger of being knocked down by the slaves." The exasperation of the English against the Irish is truly excessive, and can never be removed while so many causes of irritation remain. It appears to me that the blackguards must set the good neighbours together by the ears; and this coursing, as they say in England, will be kept up from the east and from the north- east with gold and silver " tam-tams" ( ? ). There are two large islands in Europe, of whose Flora we are totally ignorant ; — one is Sardinia, the other Ireland : both belong to the Infallible Church : had they belonged to the other, we had long ere now been furnished with a history of their vegetable productions ; for all botanists have hitherto been members of the Fallible Church. Since writing the above remark, — that Ireland and Sardinia are still terrcE prorsus incognita in the European Flora, — I have received 78 a letter from the very excellent Balbis, of Lyons, in which he informs me that his friend and former student, the active Bertero, has re- ceived orders from the Royal Sardinian Government to explore, with a botanical view, that hitherto unknown island, and to compile a Flora of it. He will be provided with all necessary assistance at the public expense : and thus we shall become acquainted with the vegetation of Sardinia, as we are with that of Sicily and Corsica. Much may be expected from the energy and zeal of the indefatigable Bertero. I can also give you a piece of botanical intelligence from Paris. The celebrated Baron Bory de St. Vincent will in the course of this year proceed to the Antilles ; there to examine that favourite tribe, the Ferns, of which he already possesses a very complete collection. He expects to be able to elucidate all the points which Plumier left doubtful. From the well-known liberality of mind which this en- lightened naturahst possesses, I should hope that it would be as agreeable to him as to our Germans who are partial to the Ferns, to have this information communicated in these pages ; and, whether before or after his voyage has taken place, to see them thus placed in connection will confer much pleasure on — J. A. Schultes. INFORMATION RESPECTING THE GERMAN BOTANICAL SOCIETY, JEstahlishedfor the purpose of sending Collectors to different Countries. We have already, in Brewster's Edinburgh Journal of Science, given a favourable account of this excellent Institution, and invited our countrymen to encourage it. To that work therefore we may refer, (vol. vii. p. 23.) for ahistory of the foundation and object of this esta- blishment. In London, Mr. Christy, of Gracechurch-street, and Mr. Hunnemann, Queen-street, Soho, have taken a warm interest in its behalf; and through the medium of the latter gentleman a consider- able amount of subscriptions has been transmitted. We are desirous of giving still more publicity to the undertaking, confident as we are that it must tend materially to increase our knowledge of the vege- table productions of the globe ; but feel that we cannot do it bet- ter than in the words of a circular letter which has been translated 79 from the German, and kindly communicated to us by our liberal friend, and the friend of science at large, Mr. Hunnemann ; and which letter contains the latest information on the subject. We shall merely add, that we are daily, and almost hourly, in expectation of the arrival of our share of the collections, for 1827. Preliminary Notice. To the Members of the Travelling Union for promoting Natural History ; and an Invitation to Botanists as well as Mineralogists, to contribute their Subscriptions for 1828. About the middle of this month the copious and valuable collection of objects of Natural History, particularly in reference to Botany, made by Mr. Fleischer, during his travels in the Levant, chiefly in the vicinity of Smyrna, and from whence he has just returned, has arrived in safety; and also the first part of a similar collection, made during last summer in the island of Sardinia, by Mr. Miiller, another of the travellers. Besides a great variety of seeds and other objects of natural history, there are now lying ready for distribution to the subscribers of 1827, about 40,000 specimens of plants from these countries, hitherto but little visited by naturalists. But the Union consisting at present of 116 members, by whom 145 shares have been subscribed for, the arrangement of the shares will require so much time, as to prevent the distribution from taking place till the month of March, 1828. However, we may venture to anticipate that every member will feel fully satisfied with the result of this year's travels, — from two to three hundred perfect and well-dried specimens of plants from those distant countries ; and for such of the individuals as have subscribed for other objects, a corresponding variety of insects, seeds, 8cc. con- stitutes an ample dividend for every single subscription of 15 florins (30 shillings sterling). In soliciting all the members of the Union to transmit their sub- scriptions as early as circumstances will permit, in order to aflbrd greater scope to the further enterprizes of the Union, we beg leave to present here a more detailed statement of the plans intended to be pursued for 1828, viz. : — 1. Mr. Miiller, who remains in Sardinia, will continue to make collections there ; and his increased acquaintance with the nature of the country is likely to render his researches more and more successful. 2. Some friends of the Union will collect for its members the Flora of the Southern parts of Africa, at the Cape : a portion of which collection, intended for the year 1828, containing from six 80 to seven thousand specimens, is already in our possession ; so that such members as send in their subscriptions early enough, may, if they desire it, receive a dividend of Cape specimens for 1828 to be added to their shares for 1827. 3. Two travellers, both of them students of pharmacy, vi^ill be sent to Norway, and are to depart in April next. One of them has been preparing himself for some years for a journey in pursuit of objects of natural history in that country; he is likewise well ac- quainted with the Northern Flora, and an ardent Muscologist : the other, possessing considerable mineralogical experience, will direct his attention chiefly to the collection of Norwegian fossils ; but he is also no novice in botany, and well acquainted with Lichens and Algoe ; for which reasons this journey is likely to promise a rich har- vest of that tribe of plants. Thus we may presume that this undertaking, which is to be ex- tended into Lapland, will prove no less interesting than the Southern expeditions ; since Norway has not, upon the whole, been much fre- quented for similar purposes. We therefore invite the assistance, for the year 1828, of all friends to botany, and also every minera- logist, who are desirous of obtaining in a safe manner and at a mo- derate premium the singular fossils of Norway, — a country so remark- able in a geognostic and oryctognostic point of view. The amount of a single subscription is 15 florins (30 shilUngs sterling). Mine- ralogists who desire to become members, are requested when they remit (postage paid) their subscriptions, to mention, at the same time, the average form or size of which they wish their specimens to be ; and to state which specimens they desire especially to possess. The friends of botany who mean to become members for the year 1828, are in the same manner requested to express at the time of sending their subscriptions, whether they prefer receiving phaeno- gamous or cryptogamous plants, or large kinds only ; whether Sar- dinian or Norwegian plants are most desirable to them, or specimens indiscriminately from all the different countries ; or lastly, whe- ther there are any particidar natural families of which they wish to have samples. The subscriptions are to be remitted either to the Central Institute of the (Economical Society at Stuttgard, or to one or other of the undersigned, but always postage paid. For receiving their respective shares, the members have to pay nothing further, ex- cept the charges incurred for transmitting them from this place to their respective addresses ; and it is left to their own option to point out the safest and least expensive channel by which they are to be sent. (Signed) Professor Hochstettek. Dr. Steudel. Esslingen in Wurtenberg, Dec. 20th, 1 827. 81 LOCALITIES OF SOME RARE PLANTS, Found by W. Wilson, Esq. of Warrington, chiefly among the Breadalhane Mountains of Scotland, in the Summer of 1827. Periodical works destined to communicate information upon any branch of science, besides possessing the advantage of distributino- knowledge, have this still further recommendation, that they en- courage its votaries to follow up the study more keenly, from the opportunities such works afford of preventing their discoveries from being lost to the world. In this respect the English Botany of the late Sir J. E. Smith, — whose loss we little thought we should so soon have to deplore, whilst transcribing for the press an article of the present Number, wherein his character is so highly and deservedly extolled by a learned foreigner, — the English Botany, we say, in this respect did an incalculable deal of good : so much so, that, during the course of its publication, that period may be reckoned the golden &ra of British Botany. It is true that many contributors to that book, like its highly-gifted Author, are now numbered with the dead ; and we fear that in acuteness at discriminating species, and industry in going in pursuit of them, there are some investigators, yet but few recently come forward, who will bear a comparison with a Dickson, a Goodenough, a Woodward, a Stackhouse, a Don, a Stuart, a Brodie : whilst the labours of many of the surviving friends of British Botany seem to have terminated with that publication. The spirit of Botany, however, still lives with them, and is now and then called forth by some interesting discovery ; and we can also yet make mention of ardent admirers of the plants that belong to our happy islands, "Spreading o'er them wild and gay. Blessing Spring and Summer's day," and among which, these naturalists have detected— for let it not be supposed that our Flora is exhausted— some, which either from the circumstance of their novelty or. their rarity deserve particular notice. Even in a county so near to the metropolis of the king- dom as Sussex, Mr. Borrer has discovered a most interesting ad- dition, both as to species and genus, to the British Flora : the Isnarda ;,aZ.«fm, which he found at Mayfield, in June 1827. The same gentleman has been so good as to communicate to us the Phyteuma VOL. 1. ^ 82 spicata, which was detected three years ago at Mayfield and Waldron, in the same rich botanical county, by Mrs. Price. Our excellent friend the Rev. Mr. Henslow, Professor of Botany in the University of Cambridge, has been fortunate in meeting with many rare British plants ; and one, that is quite new to the " English Flora,;" and that too in such abundance that it seems surprising it should not yet have found a place in works descriptive of British Plants. I mean the AltJma hirsuta. The last (and we regret to say the concluding) Numbers of the New Series * of Flora Londinensis contain two plants, which we little ex- pected would be found in so southern a latitude as Ireland ; Papaver nudicauh, and Ledum palmtre : both of which the eminent Minera- logical Professor, Giesecke of Dublin, detected there, in the north- west corner of the island. In the midland counties of England, Mr. Purton still zealously follows up the study of the Fungi : and Dr. Howitt has ascertained a new station for that most rare and curious of all Mosses, the Schisfostega pennata, as mentioned in the second edition of the Muscologia Britamiica : whilst Mr. Jowet has diligently explored the botanical riches of the environs of Nottingham, and has published an interesting account of them, in a series of letters signed // Rosario, in the Nottingham Journal. Scotland too, notwithstanding the numerous discoveries of Dick- son and the elder Don, is still frequently rewarding her sons, as well as the stranger who visits her mountains, with some new productions ; especially among the class Cryptogamia. Greville, Arnott, and Drummond have recently added largely to her Flora ; but chiefly the late lamented Carmichael has enriched the catalogue with many spe- cies, which none but one gifted with his acute eye and his discrimina- ting mind could have detected. Many of these novelties have ap- peared, either in the Flora Scotica, the Flora Londinensis, or the Crijptogamic Flora of Scotland by Dr. Greville f : the rest we trust will soon be described in the new edition of the Flora Scotica, which * The New Series of the Flora Londinensis is now concluded, with 216 plates of, mostly, the rare plants of Britain : and the new edition of the Old Series is also completed in three volumes, with 432 plates. f This gentleman, we are happy to learn, has made an arrangement with a bookseller for the publication of a work on the Marine Alga: of Britain. 83 will, by such powerful aid, constitute perhaps as complete a cata- logue of vegetable productions as any country can boast. The alpine region of Clova, though so successfully investigated by Mr. Don, has yielded a great number of novelties to Mr. Drummond of Forfar. But these discoveries, interesting as they are to the British Naturalist, shrink into nothing in comparison with what he has brought home from the alpine regions of North America ; and some account of these must form the subject of an article in this Journal. There are botanists however, we cannot but believe, who are suc- cessfully pursuing their career, from the purest and most disinterested love of the science, alike "unknowing and unknown" as respects other botanists ; believing perhaps that their discoveries, made under such disadvantageous circumstances, cannot be valuable to the more ex- perienced labourer in the field. It was accident that made us ac- quainted with such an one, whose name stands at the head of this article. We had solicited permission to publish in the Flora Lon- dinensis his important discovery of the Cotoneaster vulgaris * as a native of Britain, and had afterwards the pleasure of making an ex- cursion into the Highlands of Scotland with him. We parted at Killin, where Mr. Wilson remained for some weeks, botanizino- in the neighbouring mountains, which are known to be very rich in plants. The following observations are the result of these excursions. We give the list as it is ; for though the species which compose it are not all of such rarity as to be particularly interesting to those who are in the habit of exploring alpine districts, yet there are few whose localities may not be acceptable to some collector ; and they are stated with considerable .minuteness and accuracy. The remarks, be it observed, are chiefly with reference to Sir J. E. Smith's English Flora. ■ Aspidium Lonchitis : particularly fine and abundant below Craig Calliach. * This plant Mr. Wilson found in Wales, in which country and in the neigh- bouring border of England he has met with many interesting productions, not be- fore known as existing in Britain : amongst them is Bjjum affme, of Schwacgrichen, which was detected in a wood at Over, Cheshire, sparingly and in swampy ground, since the publication of the second edition of Muscologia Britannka. G 84. Aspidium dilatatum : a small variety in the woods of Finlarig ; on a detached rock, overgrown with moss : and a still smaller one on the rocks near the summit of Ben Lawers. Woodsia hj/perborea. Rocks below the summit of Mael Greadha, looking towards the east : and upon Ben Lawers. Salix phylicifoUa. Burn above Finlarig. S. prunifolia. Craig Calliach. S. reticulata. Ben Lawers. Very abundant upon Craig Calliach. Carex atrata. Craig Calliach. Mael Greadha. Ben Lawers. July and August. C. dioica : Monoecious variety, in Fion Glen ; and on the north side of Craig Calliach. July. C. pulla. Very abundant about the swampy (not boggy) sources of alpine rills, at the north side of Ben Cruachpen, frequently inter- mixed with Juncus castaneus : also plentiful in wet places between Ben Cruachpen and Mael Greadha ; Ben Lawers ; Mael Ghyrdy : — a perfectly alpine species. July, August. C. axillaris. Burn near Auchmore, a small distance above Loch Tay. C capillaris. Craig Calliach. Ben Lawers ; on moist declivities at the foot of projecting rocks. July, August. Kobresia caricina : near the summit of Schroine ach Lochen ; a moun- tain south of Mael Ghyrdy. August. Listera cordata. Ben Lawers, at the upper end of the burn leading from Lawers Kirk to the Lake, below the summit, growing with Cornus suecica. July. Hieracium alpinum. Mael Duncrosk (the mountain between Craig CalUach and Mael Ghyrdy) : also on rocks to the east of the sum- mit of Mael Ghyrdy. July. Apargia Taraxaci. Craig Calliach, and other mountains near it: in moist situations near rivulets. August. Serratnla alpina. Craig Calliach. Schroine ach Lochen. August. Gnaphalium supinum. Craig Calliach, Ben Lawers, &c. July. Hypericum hirsutum. Finlarig Wood. August. Arabis hirsuta. Finlarig Wood, and on rocks behind the Manse at Killin. July. Draba hirta. Ben Lawers : confined to the very summit of the dif- 85 ferent ridges of the mountains, and found in drier situations than D. incana usually inhabits. July. Melampyrum sylvaticum. Burn above Finlaria; : very sparinoly. Au- gust. Dry as octopetala. Rather plentiful upon Craig Calliach. July. Arbutus Uva-Ursi : usually found upon rocks and broken places in subalpine situations : upon Mael Ghyrdy it is plentiful upon the ground, intermixed with Vaccinium Vitis-Idcea and V. MyrtUlus. May and June. Cherleria sedoides. Ben Lawers, Mael Greadha. June, July. Calyx one-leaved ? yet deeply divided into five segments. Stamens from a glandular disk : those opposite to the segments have, on each side of their base, a yellow gland (not " on the inner side") ; the other filaments are placed between these lateral glands, not at their back. Arenaria verria. Mael Duncrosk : a very small distance from Craig Calliach; where, at nearly the same elevation, A. rubella occurs, and where A. verna is not found. Filaments from a glandular disk ; those alternate with the petals have at their exterior bases a single nectariferous pore. A. rubella. Mael Greadha, very sparingly : rather plentiful on the east side of Craig Calliach, at a considerable distance below the summit of Ben Lawers, towards the south-west, in considerable plenty : it prefers the bare declivities at the foot of projecting rocks thinly covered with soil. July. Anthers generally quite white. Nectary very similar to that of Cherleria. Styles 3, 4, or 5 ; frequently 4. Stem sometimes two- flowered, mostly single-flowered. Sedum villosum. Ben Lawers, very sparingly, near the sources of rivulets halfway up the mountain. June. Spergula saginoides. Craig Calliach, Ben Lawers, Sec. not uncom- mon. July, August. Vaccinium uliginosum. Craig CaUiach, upon the rocks in wet situa- tions : on Ben Lawers it is found with V. Myrtillus, halfway up the mountains. June. Epilobium alsinifolium. On the east side of Mael Greadha, below the rocks ; not observed elsewhere : E. alpinum very common. July. 86 — Epilohium alsinifolium alone is found in Wales ; it has commonly been mistaken for E. alpinum. Trientalis europaa. Ben Lavvers, in open moist ground, amongst Junciis squarrosus, very dwarfish, and bearing only one flower. Coppice near Auchmore, in dry sunny situations, where the fruit is matured. June, July. Tojieldia palmtris : of common occurrence in swampy places near springs, at the middle region of the Breadalbane mountains. July. What is termed a calyx, appears to be only a trifid, lateral bractea. I think the corolla is monopetalous : if so, the filaments are attached to the segments. Germen solitary ; the supposed capsules are only valves of one capsule, united in the germen to the summit : they separate at the furrows. Luciola spicata : equally general on rocks, near the summits : some- times found, like Gnaphalium supinum, at the side of burns, a considerable distance down the mountains ; probably carried thither by the rains. Juncus castaneus. Fion Glen ; Mael Ghyrdy ; and between Ben Cru- achpen and Mael Greadha : although so plentiful in Fion Glen, on the north-west side of Ben Cruachpen, it is scarcely to be de- tected on the other side of that mountain. It is found only in very w^et (not boggy) places at the sources of alpine rills. July. I have not observed it on Ben Lawers. Leaves not " flat," but deeply channelled, and rounded at the back, with cellular partitions ; not keeled : the channelled upper surface consists of a membranaceous skin. Angles of the capsule very blunt, and the sides convex. J. biglumis: most plentiful on the north-west side of Mael Greadha. In Fion Glen it is often found growing with Juncus castaneus and /. triglumis. It occurs also on the south-east side of Ben Cruachpen ; upon Ben Lawers ; and Schroine ach Lochen ; Mael Ghyrdy. June, July. Leaves not flat but tubular, and slightly compressed, with distant, internal partitions. Capsule with three rounded prominences at the summit (hence very abrupt), and the style placed in the hol- low thus formed. Stisfmas long-er and more slender than in J. tri- glumis : in this latter the leaves are setaceous, and as if suddenly 87 contracted from the top of the sheath ; channelled, hollow, with distant, transverse partitions, and likewise with a longitudinal par- tition from back to front (hence the leaf appears to be doubly tubular). Flowers from two to five, on each stem : capsules taper- ing at the summit. Juncus trijidus. Rocks to the east of the summit of Mael Ghyrdy : not observed any where else in that district. July. Gentiana nivalis. Rocks below the summit of Ben Lawers, towards the south-west, very sparingly. August. G. campestris : a white variety, very abundant in many situations near Killin. Sibbaldia procnmhens. Ben Lawers, Mael Greadha, Mael Ghyrdy, It prefers barren, somewhat moist declivities, where the soil barely covers the rock. July. The stamens, as well as the pistills, vary greatly in number. More than ten of each are often found on the same flower. I cannot see how it differs from Potentilla. Herbage decidedly glaucous, but with a blackish tinge. Cornus suecica. Ben Lawers, not far from the lake, growing with Lister a cor data. July. Poaglauca. Ben Lawers, Mael Ghyrdy, Schroine achLochen. July. Sesleria c&rulea. Very abundant on Craig Calhach ; Mael Greadha, &c. June. Melica nutans. Burn above Finlarig. June. Festuca vivipara : with perfect flowers, near Auchmore, in dry grassy places : a very doubtful species. June. Scirpus pauciflorus : abundant in swampy ground in the lower region of the Breadalbane mountains. Veronica alpina. Craig Calliach. July. V. saxatiUs. Craig Calliach, Mael Duncrosk, Mael Greadha, Ben Lawers. Musci, Sec. Bryum demissum. North-west side of Mael Greadha : fruit ripe in August. Bartramiaithyphylla: very plentiful on the summit of the north- eastern ridge of Ben Lawers. 88 Gymnostomum curvirostrum. Burn at the foot of Mael Ghyrdy, in the ascent from Kilhn. Bri/tim Zierii: plentiful with fruit, near the summit of Schroine ach Lochen. August. Neckera pennata. Mael Duncrosk : upon the rocks, in holes. (This has only previously been found by Mr. Drummond in For- farshire, and has been first pubhshed as British, in Greville's Cryptogamic Flora of Scotland, and in the second edition of Mus- cologia Britannica. H.) Pelfidea venosa : plentiful near the summit of Schroine ach Lochen, and very large ^ also upon Ben Lawers, on rocks north-east of the summit, on the north-east or furthest rido;e from Killin. NATURAL HISTORY OF MADEIRA. Our friend the Rev. R. T. Lowe, who is at this time visiting the Island of Madeira, on a Cambridge Travelling Bachelorship, is di- ligently engaged in exploring the different regions of that interesting spot, in search of its natural productions. In Botany we know that he has been very successful, from the excellent plants that he has communicated to us. Among them is a new Fern, of the genus Cryptogramma* . It gives us much pleasure to know that he is col- lecting materials for a Flora and Fauna of Madeira : and from his acquirements, no less than from his industry, we can confidently say that this gentleman is eminently well qualified for the task . SOME ACCOUNT OF THE SUBSTANCE COMMONLY KNOWN UNDER THE NAME OF RICE PAPER. Although this substance is known to many persons as a very beau- tiful substitute for paper, and even preferable to it for making cer- tain kinds of drawings and for manufacturing artificial flowers, it has generally, we believe, been considered as an article that has un- dergone some preparatory process ; and, misled probably by its Eu- * Cryptogramma Loveii. — Iconcs Filicum, p. v. t. 89. recently published. 89 ropean name, the idea has prevailed that it was composed of rice. Yet if this paper be held up between the eye and the light, an exqui- sitely beautiful cellular tissue is discoverable, such as no art of man could produce or imitate. It was then a subject of much gratifica- tion to us, that we were lately favoured by Dr. Livingstone with. a specimen of the paper, inclosing a portion of the stem of the plant from which it is cut. The latter is evidently herbaceous ; the piece is about four inches long, hollow in the centre, with a membranous transverse septum at each end, so that it appears to be the joint of a stem. The diameter is about an inch, and the thickness of the parenchymatous substance is little more than half an inch, but of the purest possible white. This piece might therefore be cut into a sheet or leaf, though only of four inches in length yet of consider- able breadth ; for it would of necessity be cut in such a manner as to unroll like a scroll of common paper. It was Dr. Livingstone who first brought from China to Europe a quantity of this substance, which he presented about twenty-five years ago to Miss Jane Jack, who was celebrated for the beauty and accuracy of her artificial flowers. Formed of rice paper, they ob- tained additional celebrity, fetched very high prices, and were ea- gerly sought for by persons of the greatest rank and most acknow- ledged taste. For a bouquet which Miss Jack presented to the late Princess Charlotte of Wales, she received the regal present of 70/. When Dr. Livingstone first procured the rice paper from the Chinese, the pieces did not exceed four inches square ; they were dyed of various shades and colours, and cost about 6d. each square. Since that time the price has been much reduced, and the size of the pieces increased, so as to be upwards of a foot long and five inches across, and preserving their natural whiteness. The tinted pieces are employed by the Chinese for their artificial flowers, and the plain white for making drawings upon. Now, tliis material is so much esteemed in Europe, that it is in request with people of all nations who visit Canton. The same substance being also known in our possessions at the East Indies, we wrote for information to General Hardwicke, a gen- tleman whose long residence in that country and whose ardent love of natural history gave him opportunities of becoming acquainted with 90 the nature and properties of the vegetable productions, such as few have enjoyed ; and with that promptitude and kindness which ever mark his character, especially when he is engaged in furthering the cause of science. General Hardwicke immediately transmitted the following reply, which is extracted verbatim from his letter. " I am very glad that it is in my power to answer your inquiries about the Plant which produces the substance known under the name of Rice Paper. It has very often interested me, and gratified my curiosity, to remark to how many useful purposes it is applied by the natives of India. You will find a drawing of the species which produces it in my volumes of Indian plants, among the PapilionacecE ; it is the Mhdiynomene paludosa of Roxburgh. It grows abundantly in the marshy plains of Bengal, and on the borders of Jeels or extensive lakes, in every province between Calcutta and Hurdwar. The plant is perennial, of straggling low growth, and seldom exceeds a diameter of two inches and a half in the stem. It is brought to the Calcutta bazaars in great quantities in a green state ; and the thickest stems are cut into lamina?, from which the natives form artificial flowers and various fancy ornaments to decorate their shrines at Hindoo festivals. The Indians make hats of rice paper, by cementing together as many leaves as will produce the requisite thickness : in this way any kind of shape may be formed ; and when covered with silk or cloth, the hats are strong and inconceivably light. It is an article of great use to fishermen ; it forms floats of the best description to their exten- sive nets. The slender stems of the plant are bundled into fascines about three feet long ; and with one of these under his arm does ever^ fisherman go out to his daily occupation. With his net on his shoulders, he proceeds to work without a boat, and stretches it in the deepest and most extensive lakes, supported with this buoyant faggot. " You must observe that the cutting of this material into leaves, or laminae, is not performed by transverse sections of the stem, but made vertically round the stem. The most perfect stems are selected for this purpose ; but I believe few are found sufficiently free from knots to produce a cutting of more than nine or ten inches in length. " You make use of the term, pith, and call the laminae ' simply the pith of the plant ;' then you must consider the whole stalk of the plant as pith, for the bark is so thin and tender that you may scratch 91 it off with the thumb-nail. I have one of the lamina in my pocket- book measuring in length eight inches and three quarters, and trans- versely six inches and a half. The examination of this, even in an undressed state, completely identifies itwith what is called like Paper. " I must not forget to give you the native name of the plant, which in Bengalee is Shola, commonly pronounced Sola. Dr. Roxburgh considered the plant as annual, I believe. The foliage and other parts of the plant, where water is wanting, die down to the roots ; but where water is plentiful, the stems remain and branch out afresh in the proper season." The volumes of drawings of Indian plants above alluded to, had been previously consigned to our use by General Hardwicke ; and they contain a complete figure of the plant, with flower, fruit, and a portion of that part of the stem which is thus employed for making rice paper. These will be engraved and pubhshed in the next Number of this Miscellany. With regard to the species, however, the drawing in question is certainly the JEschi/nomene paliidosa * of Roxburgh ; for it entirely agrees with his figure of that plant in the splendid series of unpub- lished drawings in the possession of the Honourable the East India Company, copies from which we have now by us. But there ajjpears to be reason to think that is the same species with JEscJujnomene lagenariaf of Loureiro, which grows in Cochinchina. The cliarac- ters entirely agree ; and Loureiro attributes to his plant, uses some- what similar. " Caulis" he says " spongiosus et facile cedens, ac elastice resiliens commode aptatur ad obturandas lagenas, defectio suberis, quo regio ilia caret." Again ; this species is, and in my opinion justly, united by DeCandolle at the suggestion of Dr. Wal- lich, with JEachynomene aspera of Linnaius ; which name we there- fore prefer should be retained. * In the drawing and MS. Catalogue at the India House it is called aqmtica : in the printed "Hortus Benghalcnsis" JEschynomenc paludosa, S/iola and KatlirShola, Benghalce. t Iledysarunti lagenaria, Roxb. Ilort. Bcnghal. Vliool-Skola, Bcnglialcc. 92 FLORA OF THE BRITISH POSSESSIONS IN NORTH AMERICA. Doctor Hooker is engaged in preparing for publication the entire collection of plants of British North America, which have been en- trusted to him for that purpose by Captain Franklin and Dr. Rich- ardson ; and he has already completed many drawings of new species for the plates. This herbarium, alone, is extremely extensive, and the specimens are in the finest possible preservation. It includes collections made in three different portions of the country. 1. That of Captain Franklin and his officers, upon the coasts of the Arctic Seas, from the mouth of the Mackenzie river, westward towards Behring's Straits. 2. That of Dr. Richardson, principally obtained from the shores of the same sea, to the eastward of the Mackenzie river, and between it and the Copper-mine river ; and comprising among many other rarities, probably the whole of the species which were unfortunately lost in the former expedition. And 3rdly, The portion collected by Mr. Drummond, the Assistant Naturalist ; by far the most extensive, as may be supposed, of the three, since his whole time was devoted to forming collections, and in the most fertile part of the country ; — that is to say, from the whole extent of the inland route of the Expedition, through Canada and the Hudson Bay Com- pany's territories ; and from that very interesting district, too, which Mr. Drummond alone was charged to visit ; namely, the most elevated chain of the Rocky Mountains, a part of that vast, ridge, extending in an almost uninterrupted line to the Andes of South America, and which no botanist had previously explored. This com- bined herbarium is so extensive that it, alone, would justify the pre- paration of a Flora of that vast region. But with these he has the opportunity of incorporating all the previous discoveries of the same travellers on the former overland expedition ; of Captain Parry, and other arctic voyagers ; together with the plants of Newfoundland and Labrador, gathered by Dr. Morrison, who afterwards fell a victim to his courage and love of science in exploring Central Africa ; the botanical productions of Canada, which have been received from the Lady Dalhousie, Mrs. Percival, Mr. Sheppard, and Mr Todd, &c. ; those of North West America, gathered by Mr. Menzies and Dr. Scouler ; together with herbaria which will be more particularly no- 93 ticed in the work itself. All these, too, Dr. Hooker is enabled to compare with a great number of the species of tlie United States, which he has received with their names from the authors of most of the Floras of that country, and which will serve to clear up many points which must otherwise have remained doubtful. A considerable number of seeds have likewise been brought home by Captain Franklin and Dr. Richardson, and many have already vegetated; so that it may be expected that we shall soon have a number of these rarities flowering in our gardens; and, as may very well be conceived in a country not extending further south than lat. 42** (and this of an alpine character), such plants must be admirably suited to cultivation in the open air with us : which circumstance will Sfive an additional interest to the Flora. So large has been the collection in the Class Cn/ptogamia, that Mr. Drummond, Assistant Naturalist to the Expedition, has, in illus- tration of the above work, published, under the title of " Musci Amekicani," specimens of the Mosses which were gathered during the expedition. The number of distinct species, thus procured, exceeds two hundred and forty, which, with the well marked varieties, amount to two hundred and eighty-six kinds, to each being affixed its name, and references to species that have been already described, and descriptive characters of those which have proved to be new. The whole of the continent of North America has not been known to possess so many Mosses as Mr. Drummond has detected in this single journey. Scarcely any species of Phascum was before ascertained to exist in North America ; here there are five, one of which has been hitherto undescribed, P. subexsertum. Among some of the most interesting species of other genera, we may mention Gi/mnostomum phascoides, latifolium, and pumilum, three new species ; Splachnnm rubruni and luteum, two of the finest and probably the most difficult to be obtained of any of the known Mosses. Upon the latter interesting ones, 'Mr. Drummond has made two remarks, which are at variance witli the previously received opinions respecting them ; namely, that the curi- ous apophysis, which Hedwig and others considered to be umbracu- liform, in a perfect state is glabrous and filled with a copious celkilar tissue mixed with a fluid substance : and secondly, that notwith- 94 standing Wahlenberg's remark upon S, luteum, " tutissima ut etiam facillima differentia hujus et praecedenti speciei {S. ruhrum), in colore umbraculi consistit," there are intermediate states as to colour and every other particular, which would warrant a botanist in uniting the two. So splendid, indeed, is this colour in the apophysis of the true S. ruhrum, of Hedwig, that Wahlenberg further says of it, " adeo satu- ratissimus et elegantissimus, ut nihil in natura pulchrius esse queat." Splachnum heterophyllnm and intermedium are new species. S. arc- ^ecwm of Brown. Systyliiim splachnoides of Hornschuch; and Tayloria splachnoides of Hooker. Conostomum horeale. Grimmia cali/ptrata and Ilookeri (nov. sp.). Drummondia davellata Hook, (the Gym- nostomum prorepens Hedw.) Scouleria aquatica Hook. ; in the pre- sent work, ^. 18. Weissia turbinata, allied to W. splachnoides and macrocarpa (n. sp.). Dieranum julaceum, Richardsoni, and microcar- pon (n. sp.). Didymodon oblongifolinm oxiA fragile (n. sp.). Tor- tula bryoides and suberecta (n. sp.). Neckera Menziesii (n. sp.), but previously discovered in the north-west coast of America by the gen- tleman whose name it bears. Hypnum vagans and pulchrum (n. sp.). Hypnum confervoides Bridel. H. obtusifolium (n. sp.). H. robustum {Hooker, Exot. Muse). H. abietinum (in fruit) ; and the variety called scitum. H. erectum (n. sp.). H. neckeroides (Hooker, Muse. Exot.). Climacium americanum, a very noble plant, quite distinct from C. den- droides of Europe, which is also in the collection. Fontinalis capil- lacea. Bryum turgidum, triquetrum, demissum (Muse. Exot.). Cin- clidium stygium. Timmia megapoUtana. Arrhenopte.rum heterosti- chum, and Polytrichum angustatum, Bridel, and Hooker Muse. Exot. ^c. : together with many of the rarest species which have already been known to inhabit Europe or the United States of North America. These Mosses are neatly arranged (the specimens being fastened upon each leaf of paper) in two 4 to volumes, of the same size with the forthcoming Fauna of these regions by Dr. Richardson, and the general Flora by Dr. Hooker, and as the Narrative of the Journey by Captain Franklin, to which the Natural History portions may be con- sidered as forming an Appendix. The whole will then constitute a very complete history, both as to geographical discoveries, scenery, in- habitants and productions, of an immense extent of countiy, which but a few years ago was considered as a " terra prorsus incognita." SKETCH OF A JOURNEY TO THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS AND TO THE COLUMBIA RI\TR IN NORTH AMERICA : By Thomas Drummond, Assistant Naturalist to the second Land Arctic Expedition, under the command of Captain Franklin, R.N, [It is scarcely necessary to preface the following journal of an excursion through a country hitherto unknown to the Naturalist with any observation ; further than to say, that it embraces that period of time when Mr. Drummond quitted Capt. Franklin, Dr. Richardson, and the other officers of the Expedition, at Cumberland House, to the period of his rejoining them at the same place. — Ed.] Until the 20tli of August 1825, I remained at Cumberland House, waiting the arrival of the company's boats from York Factory ; and then proceeded with them, as directed, to Carlton House. On arriving at that post, Sept. 1st, the Indians were found to be in so unsettled a state, that it would have been very unsafe to make excur- sions in the neighbourhood, without the protection of a strong party ; and I therefore decided upon going on with the brigade, until I should find a place better suited for my purpose. The plains in the immediate vicinity of Carlton House are partially covered with wood, which however disappears at a distance of about twenty miles to the westward. The soil is in general sandy, and produces a peculiar vegetation ; amongst which the tribe of Papilio- nace(R considerably prevails ; and the Genera Phlox, Lialris, Malva, and Eriogonum. Two or three species of Uinbellifera and Asclepiadea were seen here, which I observed in no other part of my route ; also five or six species of Phascum *. We left Carlton House on the 2nd of September, and I proceeded with the party, making daily excur- sions along the banks and as far into the interior as possible, taking care to rejoin the brigade every evening. The general aspect of the country and of vegetation continues much the same, until reaching Edmonton House, a distance of about 400 miles. The river Saskatchawan appears to form the northern boun- dary of these extensive plains, which are said to extend all the way to Mexico ; and their breadth at this point may be estimated at from 700 to 800 miles, from the junction of the South-branch river with the Saskatchawan, to the Rocky Mountains House. At Edmonton * A aenus of Mosses scarce! v known hitherto as American. 96 House, the brigade for the Columbia leave the Saslcatchawan, making a portage of 100 miles to Red-Deer river, which falls into the Atha- bane Lake : and as I still adhered to the resolution of accompanying them, I found it necessary to reduce my luggage ; and therefore left my specimens under charge of the gentlemen at Edmonton House, only taking with me a small stock of linen, and a bale of paper. We crossed the portage in six days, without meeting with any serious accident. The horse, however, which carried my bale of paper, had the misfortune to fall in crossing Papina river, by which it was thoroughly soaked ; and as the expedition with which the brigade travels, precluded all hope of getting it dried by the way, I was under the unpleasant necessity of leaving it in a damp state until we got to Fort Assinaboyne, a small establishment of the com- pany upon Red-Deer river, where we spent two or three days, prepar- ing the canoe and cargo for our ascent of the river to the mountains. The second day after leaving Edmonton House brought us to the commencement of the woody country, which continues all the way to the Rocky Mountains. The trees consist of Popiilus balsamifera and trepida'i the white Spruce and Birch ; with Finns Banksiana occasion- ally in the drier situations, and more rarely P. halsamea. These are the only trees which occur north of this latitude ; though in some locali- ties and deep swamps the Finns nigra and microcarpa may be seen. It was now ascertained that the canoes were so heavily laden that it would be necessary for some of the party to go by land ; and I agreed to be one of these, in order to have the opportunity of seeing the country and judging of its productions. We quitted the Fort accordingly on the 1st or 2nd of October, and started in high spirits for a journey on horseback. A heavy fall of snow, which took place on the 4th, put, however, a final stop to collecting for this sea- son ; it also rendered our progress through these trackless woods very unpleasant ; our horses soon became jaded, when our only alter- native was to walk, and drive them before us : to add to our misfor- tunes, the animals were continually sinking in the swamps, from which we found it no easy task to extricate them. However, we reached Jasper's House on the 1 1th day, having travelled a distance of two hundred miles since we left Assinaboyne Fort ; all the party being in perfect health. \To be Continued.] 95 [TAB. XXVI.] ON THE BOTANICAL CHARACTERS OF THE SUGAR CANE, WITH REMARKS ON ITS CUL- TIVATION. By James Macfadyen, M. D., Jamaica. SACCHARUM OFFICINARUM, {Sugar Cane.) Triandria Digynia. Nat. Ord. Gramine^e. Gen. Char. SpiciilcB geminse, altera sessilis, altera pedi- cellata, omnes hermaphrodita;, uniflorae, (biflorae,* Br.) Gluma duae, coriaceae. Flo8 hermaphroditus : PalecB duae hyalinae, inferior mutica aut aristata, Br.) Palea (flos neuter univalvis, Br.) unica, mutica. Kunth. Saccharum officinarum ; panicula efFusa, ramis numerosissi- mis verticillatis, glumis subaequalibus lanugine breviori- bus, foliis planis glabris. (Tab. XXVI.) Saccharum officinarum. Linn. Sp. PI. p. 79. Willd. Sp. PI. V. 1. p. 38L Humh. et Kunth Nov. Gen. v. \. p. 146. Spreng. Syst. Veget. v. \. p. 28 L Arundo saccharifera. Shane Jam. v. 1. p. 108. t. 66. Rumph. Herb. Amb. v. 1. p. 186. f. 74. / 1. Hab. In India orientali ? Colitur fere ubique inter tropicos. This precious plant, so especially valuable in a commercial point of view, is supposed to be a native of the East Indies. The Chinese date the cultivation of the Sugar Cane to periods of the most remote antiquity: but Dr. Roxburgh ascertained that the Sug-ar Cane of China was different from S. officinarum, and he has published it as the S. sineme. From the East Indies it was carried by merchants, towards the * " Spiculas bifloras esse vix dubito, quamquam in speciminibus siccis eas despicere non potui." — Kunth. VOL. I. H 96 close of the thirteenth century, to Arabia, wlience the cul- tivation of it soon extended to Nubia, Egypt, and ^^thiopia. The Moors introduced it into Spain. Tiie Sj)aniards con- veyed it to the Canaries in the beginning of the fifteenth cen- tury. From the Canaries it was imported to St. Domingo, and now forms one of the staple articles of trade of the whole of the West India Islands. An account of its botanical characters, then, and of the mode of its cultivation in the most extensive of our Islands in the West Indies, cannot but be acceptable to our readers : and this I am enabled to offer through the kindness of Dr. Macfadyen of Jamaica, who has lately sent to me, from that Island, the following Memoir on the Botanical Characters of the Su^ar Cane, with Remarks on its Cultivation. — Hook. It must be a subject of regret, that no direct intercourse exists between the British settlements in the East, and the West Indian colonies. While allied in their climate, and with the character of their labouring classes not very dissimilar, hav- ing also nearly the same objects of cultivation, the one knows nothing of the methods pursued and the processes employed by the other. There cannot be a doubt, but that, were the communication more easy, they might, with advantage, be mutually enlightened. We, in these islands, might learn a lesson from our Eastern rivals, who, for ages — long before a native of civilized Europe stepped on these shores — were occupied in the cultivation of the Cane, the Coffee, and many other productions, which now constitute the sources of our wealth. Perhaps we, in return, might suggest some improve- ment. It is with this view that I engage in my present task, trusting that some information may be given, in return, by some one conversant with the state of agriculture in the East. Soon after my arrival in this island, I was led to make some observations on the botanical characters of the com- mon Sugar Cane. Having found them to differ fi'om any account 1 have as yet met with, I was tempted to draw out the following description. 97 Desciuptio. Radix, culmi crassitie, j)eieiinis, solida, arti- ciilata, supra unamquamque articulam fibrillis numerosis secedentibus, Culmi plures ex una radice, usque ad 12, vel ultra, pedum altitudincm adsurgentes, erecti, teretes, laevi, foliosi, articu- lati, supra unamquamque articulam punctis viridibus in 3 ordinibus notati. Gemmce disticlie alternantes. Folia 3 pedalia et ultra, et 3 pollices lata, erecto-patentia, lineari-lanceolata, nervo costali incrassato, ante apieem cvan- escente, margine serrulato-aspera, prope basin ciliata, pilis albis strictis. Vafjince pedales, striata;, farinos.x', pilis strictis facile abstersis munitjje,, pubescentia nigra interspersis. Ligiila sub-lunata, Integra, f'olii marginem versus pilis longis strictis ciliata. Panicula bipedalis, erecta, efFusa. Rachis stricta, obtuse angulata carinataque, ad ramorum ortum leviter villosa, ce- tera hispidula. Rami utplurimum verticillati, (6, 7, 8 in uno verticillo,) pauci inter verticilla sparsi, "primo erecto-patentes, deinde patentes, alternatim ramosi, ramulis simplicibus, gra- cilibus, obsolete angulati, basi villosi, ad articulos leviter flexuosi. ylrticuli trilineares, basi attenuati, apice parum in-' crassati. Flares in utroque articulo, aut duo, quorum alter sessilis, alter pediccllatus, aut (rare) quatuor, quorum 2 sessiles et 2 lateraliter pedicellati." * Calyx uniflorus, 3 glumis, basi pilis albis sericeis cinctus. Glumce subaequales oblongo-lanceolata; : extima leviter ciliata obsolete binervis: media, acuminata; nervo dorsali viridi carinata (carina apieem versus villosa) cum vestigiis 2-4 ner- vorum lateralium obsolete notata, subdiaphana, basi purpur- ascens, margine villoso-ciliata, glumam intiniam arete am- plectens : glumxi intima, prioribus paullum brevior, diapliana, punctis purpureo-fuscis notata, ovato-lanceolata, mutica, enervis, v. obsolete uninervis, glaberrima, apice ciliata. Corolla (squamae liypogynae, Br.) minuta, 2valvis: valvulcB hyalinae; una (gluma intima calycis excepta) rotunda, ciliato- ♦ Meyer, Piimitur. florm Essifjuibonensu, p. 07. 1£ 2 98 it lacinulata; altera brevis, ovata, apice tenerrime prolongata, filiforini. " Stamina 3, antheris linear! -oblongis, ochro- leucis; Germe?i ovatum; stylis 2; stigmatibus rubro-fuscis. Semen desideratur." Such is the account which my own observations, together with those of Meyer and others, have enabled me to draw out. I have ventured to differ from those who have pre- ceded me, in regarding the calyx as formed of 3 glumes. The description given by Mr. Brown is, " flowers all herma- phrodite; calyx 2 flowered, exterior floret neuter, interior hermaphrodite, 2 valved, minute, embi'aced by the neuter floret." To me it appears preferable, to consider the 3 outer as glumes, since they are similar in texture, appearance, and every other respect, and as they differ so materially from what the distinguished Botanist above cited and all othei's agree in denominating corolla — as constituting the outer floral covering, and the two minute pellucid hypogynous scales as alone entitled to the designation of corolla. I ob- serve that Palisot de Beauvois, in his Agrost. nov. p. 7, considers what has been here styled the innei'most calycine glume, as a one-valved corolla ; and what has been set down as corolla, he has termed a nectary. This is certainly prefei-able to considering the calyx as 2 flowered. We now come to make a few remarks on the cultivation of the Cane. The original stock of Canes cultivated in these islands was probably brought from Spain. There cannot be a doubt, indeed, but that the Sugar Cane is not indigenous to any part of the New World. We are, it is true, informed by the early voyagers and travellers, that Canes were found growing wild on the banks of the Mississippi, and other rivers of con- tinental America; and Labat mentions that the first French settlers met with them in Martinique, and some of the other islands. It is most probable that they mistook for them some other of the reedy grasses, such as the wild cane, (Arundo sagittata,) or some species of the genus Arundinai'ia — all of which are common on the banks of rivers in these latitudes, and all, by their appearance and manner of flowering, might 99 readily deceive an inexperienced eye. Besides, were the Sugar Cane a native, it would be difficult to account for its being at present found nowhere in a state of nature. It is a peculiarity of the Cane in this climate, that it refuses to perfect its seed. Ever since its cultivation in this island, it has been raised from cuttings of the joints. By these in- numerable subdivisions, it has been continued to the present time, retaining all the characters and peculiarities of the parent plant. There are, in reality, only a very few plants in the island — the Canes which cover our fields being strictly not distinct beings, but prolongations of a few individuals — their origin derived from the enlargement of one part re- moved by division from another. The case is different in the East. Here we can point out but a few varieties : there, along the banks of the Ganges, its native region, it perfects its seed, * and may be raised in this manner, presenting innumerable varieties, corresponding to what we observe in all plants produced in this manner — the offspring seldom pre- senting a strict similarity to its parent stock. It may be remarked, that in all plants, the cultivation of which is carried on by any other method than that of seed, (whether by suckers, as the plantain or pine, or by divisions of the stem, as in the case before us,) there is a tendency, in the course of time, to dispense with the process necessary for perfecting the fruit. We observe Nature, as it were, wishing to spare herself an exertion which is no longer necessary. In barren worn-out soils, on the contrary, where the supply of nourishment is scanty, we find an attempt made in many vegetables to return to this natural i)rocess of propagation ; the plant shedding its seed, which, carried to a distance, germinates under circumstances more favourable than those of the parent. Perhaps in such situations we may hope to dis- cover the seed of the Cane perfected. We might also succeed in obtaining it, by removing suckers from the plant, so that * Dr. Roxburgh, however, notwithstanding his long residence in the country of the Ganges, never saw the seed of the Sugar Canc.—EJ. 100 its energies may be concentrated in the process of fructi- fication. It is another disadvantage attending the propagation from cuttings, that the stock sooner or later degenerates. We have instances in the apple, the pear, and in most fruits in which recourse has been had to this artificial method of con- tinuing a species. The Cane itself affords iis a well marked example. The original sort, which has been cultivated since the discovery of the island, has gradually deteriorated, till it has become no longer worthy of cultivation. It is needless to ascribe this to diminished fertility, since in new land it still comes up stunted in its growth. In like manner, the kinds which have been more recently introduced, are gradually deteriorating, so that, if no new stocks are imported, we may expect the discovery to be made, that the most fertile island in the world is no longer capable of growing Canes to advantage. It may be proper to notice here, the peculiarities of the different stocks or breeds of Cane now in cultivation in the West India Islands. The oldest stock — that which has been cultivated ever since the discovery of these islands — is known by the name of the Country Cane. It is readily distinguished by its diminu- tive size, its stem spindling, the joints close to one another, and the leaves but little broader than those of some of the common grasses. At one time great returns were obtained from it, and the quality of the produce is described as having been superior to anything we can obtain from the varieties at present in favour — being white, hard, and sparkling. Now, however, it has been consigned to deserved disrepute — its growth indicating all the symptoms of a worn-out stock, its aspect being dwarf-like, its returns scanty, and it, alone, of all the different breeds, being liable to the attacks of insects. There are some planters, however, who still regret that it should be thrown out of cultivation; ascribing the di- minished fertility of the soil, and the inferior character of the produce, to the recently imported stocks, by which it has been superseded. That such have little occasion for their 101 complaints, I need only mention, that though planted in rich newly opened land, it has never been observed to improve — the foliage having the same grass-like appearance, marked with ferruginous spots, and the stalk coming up stunted and spindling. II. The Ribbon Cane is a variety which has of late been deservedly rejected by all good planters. Its introduction is recent. The foliage it bears is profuse, the stem strong, and the joints, which are distant, are marked with longitudinal stripes of purple and yellow. It is from this last peculiarity that it derives its distinctive appellation. Altogether, it bears the appearance of a plant possessed of strong vegetative powers, holding a middle rank, in regard to size of stem and its general appearance, to the two stocks which still remain to be noticed. III. The Bourbon Cane was introduced into the French colonies by Bougainville from the Isle of France. It was afterwards brought into the British Islands by Captain Bligh. It surpasses all others in the thickness of its stem, which bulges out between the joints. The joints themselves are longer than in the Country Cane, but shorter dian the Rib- bon and the Violet. Its foliage also is less luxuriant, the leaves being of a light green, somewhat stiff and erecto-pa- tent. The hairs around the base of the calyx are few, and shorter than in the other varieties ; the glumes have a reddish tinge, the outermost very obscurely 2 nerved, the middle ob- soletely 1 nerved, and the innermost almost nerveless. This variety is the richest in the sweet principle, and, where cir- cumstances admit, is always cultivated in preference. It demands indeed a fertile soil. On a poor soil, on the con- trary, it soon dies away, failing to reach even the 2d or 3d ratoons. Hence, whilst it is the favourite stock in tlie Parish of Vere, its cultivation has been found to injure, in many cases irreparably, the light, gravelly, and sandy loams of the Parish of St. Thomas in the East. IV. The Violet, or, as it is called in the French Islands, the Batavian Cane, is more grown in the West than m the East Indies ; the soil of tiic latter being so fertile as to 102 admit of the cultivation of more approved varieties. The stem of the Violet Cane is of a purple colour, varying in intensity according to the nature of the soil. Thus, in poor lands near the sea-shore, such as several cane-pieces of Pera and Leith-Hall, but lately reclaimed from a state of salt morass, Canes may be observed of a deep purple colour, known by the names of the Claret Cane, the Black, the Im- perial, Mont-Blanc, &c. The colour of such, when culti- vated in a more favourable situation, has been observed to assume a paler character. As for the foliage of the Violet Cane, it is broad and luxuriant, and of a dark green colour : the glumes of the Calyx are purplish, spotted with deeper purple spots ; they are marked with prominent green nerves, the outermost glume having 2 of this description, with 2 marginal less distinct, the middle having a dorsal nerve keeled and villose, with the traces of 2 marginal nerves, and the innermost the same as in the last, with the exception that the dorsal nerve is not villose. In the Systema Vegetabilium of Roemer and Schultes, this is set down as a distinct species, under the name of S. violaceum. The only character at all distinctive, is the outer valve of the corolla being 4 nerved — a peculiarity by no means warranting such a division. ON THE CULTIVATION OF THE SUGAR CANE. The Cane is a plant of a warm latitude, its growth being in proportion to the heat of the climate, and the fertility of the soil. It may be considered as the production of the highest effort of the powers of vegetation. In almost all other plants, it is only during the germination of the seed, the most active period of their lives, that the sweet principle is to be detected. In the Cane it is at all times to be found, and tJicit in quantities surpassing what exists in all other plants put together. It is on our plains that the Cane reaches all the perfection of which it is capable in these islands. Yet, even here, ac- cordiiif^ U) report, its size and luxuriance arc- inli-rior lo wlniL it attains in Madagascar, the Isle lA' l'"rance, and the (hstrictH ol" the East, )r)ore immediately beneath the Ivjuator. Like all f^ramineous plants, it dc.lights in a rather moist climate. Where the rains, however, are excessive, a rank luxiiriancfi is the conse(|iience, uniavourahle to the niaturation ol the plant; the jnices it allords heing watery and deficient in iIk- saccharine j)rinci[)le, yielding on crystallization a daik coloured sugar. Thus, in few |)arts of the ishuid (lo«;s more rain fall than in the parish of l*(jrtland. To the eye, few spots can aj)pear more l)eautif"ul than (iolden-Vale — an almost perfectly level plain, cov(;red with a luxuriant vegeta- tion, encotnpassed by lofty mountains, clothed to tii(;ir sum- mits with forest trees, which ecHidefJse the va[)0(irs conveyed over them by the prevalent easterly winds of the tropics. 'I'he sky, however, being almost constantly overcast, the sti- mulating influence; ol the sun's niys is too S{)arifig it) awaken the energies <)iri(. : l.licir imir^in.s iin; KCtin-cly Hurniliid, ;iii(l llir Idiuk ^IuikIh arc. very hiiiuII. :l. Cit\\\irw\}ii o(ii)fi/rm ; loliis cHiptico-lunctrolnliH oblu.sis imi- croimlis piilclicnimc /^IfiiKlnloso-scinilis, ciipsiilii. Uiiiiijru- Imi tiicfK'cii, .'m/^nlis ohdisis. ('I'ah. \I..) ('(.Ili/Minjii (xlorilrni. Mo/. C/ii/i, nl .IikjI. v. I. /;. 'i!)l. Cioloii ( !()|liriinj. Sf/sf. hycf. v. :\. p. H7r>, IIaii. Ill ((iiiviiMiliiis Aiidiiim vcthuh IVIt;ii(l()/niii ; v\ in «' Villi.! Ciiliciilc," An.lihiis ( !liilciisil)U,s : nil. ^)0(M^ iid (lOOO pcd. Tlic nlinosl. eeiniens, it, always becomes yellowish, or in some iusl.inuH's it, inclines to black. /'/>/. I, (Iii|)snle, from which one coccus, nl .////. 2, is removed: iKihintl sizf. /''!;/. ".i. Minikin of the lenli with glands: — )ii. Colliji;niijn /rif/fn/nt, {(Ii//. d IToo/i.)\ Ibliis eilipticis nni- cronalis serratis subj^landnlosis, ca[)sula acute tricpietra. v^ 143 Hab. In Andibus Chilensibiis, una cum C. salicifoUa. The leaves of this, in shape, nearly resemble those of the preceding species ; but they are scarcely glandular. The fruit, too, is very different, being not only extremely sharp at the angles, but there is scarcely any sinus between the angles, where the cocci join, as in all the other species ; so that a section of this would describe an equilateral triangle with straight sides : whereas, a section of the others would rather represent 3 lobes, more or less acute. [TAB. XLL] GYMNOSTOMUM WILSONI. Gymnostomum Wilsoni ; foliis oblongo-obovatis obtusis cum mucrone minutissime reticulatis opacis integerrimis margine tenuissimo recurvo, capsula oblongo-elliptica oi-e paululum contracto, operculo oblique rostrato, calyp- tra superne scabra. (Tab. XLI.) Gymnostomum affine. Wilson MS S. Hab. In Anglia ad terram, prope " Over," in comitatu Cheshire. D. Gul. Wilson. In arvis apud Forfar, Scotia?. Drummond. Fruct. fert. Jan. PlantcB cajspitose crescunt. Radix tomentosa. Caulis ple- rumque simplex, erectus vel inclinatus, fere ad basin foli- osus. Folia oblonga-obovata, magis minusve carinata, integerrima, margine tenui recurvo, obtusa, minutissime reticulata, opaca, glauco-viridia, infcrne attenuata, laxe reticulata, pellucida; nervo ultra apicem in mucrone lon- giusculo exserto; superiora majora. Seta breviuscula, rufa. Capsida oblongo-elliptica, rufo-fusca, basi obscure apophysata, ore subcontracto. Calyptra dimidiata, fere recta, superne papilloso-scabra. Operculum e lata basi rostratum, rostro tenui, capsula triplo breviore, obliquo. VOL. I. L 144 My attention was first directed to this moss by Mr. Wilson of Warrington, who clearly distinguished it from the species of Gymnostomum., to which it is, in natural affinity, most nearly allied, and with which it has probably not unfrequently been confounded by muscologists, namely G. truncatulum /3. It requires, indeed, a minute examination to distinguish the differences; but they exist so assuredly, that no one who has seen the two together on the same field of the microscope, would ever think of uniting them. To say nothing of the more extended tufts of the present plant, and of its more glaucous hue, the leaves are blunter at the extremity than in G. truncatulum /3., they have a longer apiculus, a more evident, though a very slender recurved margin, and a structure of cellules so different, that a moderate power of the microscope, which will render those of G. truncatulum /3. (see the figure in the accompanying plate,) very distinctly visible, is not sufficient to bring them at all into view in our present plant, {Jigs. 3, 4.) Again, in G. Wilsoni the capsule is more contracted at the mouth, the beak of the lid is longer, and the calyptra is curiously papilloso-scabrous above. Mr. Wilson had named this new species of Gymnostomum G. affine in his MSS., without being aware that Nees von Esenbeck and Hornschuch had so named a moss allied to, or a variety of, G. Heimii. Thus I am at liberty to dedicate it to the very acute botanist who first detected and distin- guished it, and to whom I am indebted for many valuable specimens of British plants, and numerous and important observations upon them. Fig. 1, G. Wilsoni : — natural size. Fig. 2, Single plant : — magnified. Figs. 3, 4, Leaves. Fig. 5, Apex of a leaf. Fig. 6, Capsule. Fig. 7, Operculum. Fig. 8, Calyptra. Fig. 9, Leaf of Gymn. truncatulum (i. to show the differ- ence in form and reticulations : — magnified. 145 [TAB, XLIL] LEMNA GIBBA. REMARKS ON THE STRUCTURE AND GERMINATION; BY WM. WILSON, ESQ. OF WARRINGTON. [All who have had occasion to examine the minute seeds of the different species of Lemna, must confess that it is ex- tremely difficult, if not impossible, to comprehend their structure satisfactorily, and that germination alone can teach us the true nature of the different parts. The fructification, however, of any of the species may be deemed of rare occur- rence. Few botanists have been privileged by seeing the seeds, and still fewer have had the patience to watch and to describe them when in a state of developement ; nor, when this is done, can the description be rendered intelligible to another without the aid of magnified figures. I have myself figured and described the fructification of three of our British species of Lemna in the new series of the Floi'a Londinensis, but ignorant as I was of the germination of all of them, I confess I could not hazard an opinion on the nature of those parts which were brought to view by the dissecting knife. Nor am I aware of the existence of any representation of the germination of any Lemna except that (of Lemna gibha) published by Dr. Gaertner, from the ob- servations of Mr. Hartmann, and given in the Botanische Zeitung for March 1824, No. 12. These, however, appear to be very imperfect. At length my valued friend Mr. Wilson communicated to me, both in 1827 and 1828, the result of his patient attention to the developement of the seeds of Lemna^ and the result of these, together with his excellent figures, are here given. — W. J. H.~\ As I considered (says Mr. Wilson,) that in a state of nature the seeds always remained at the bottom of the water, I did not attempt to immerse those which I preserved through L 2 146 the winter in u ilry state, during that period; nor was it until March 11th that I exposed a few of them to germinate, and from the tardiness of their movements, compared with others immersed afterwards, I am confirmed in my original opinion, that they could not be made to grow much earlier than April. The dissections of the seed last year proved of considerable service, and enabled me to understand better the singular appearances which present themselves. When the seeds have been macerated for five or six days, they imbibe sufficient water to enable them to sink to the bottom : previous to this they swim on the surface, and when almost ready to descend, the upper end of the seed, from which the embryo bursts forth, is turned downwards. After lying at the bottom a few days, the embryo expands and bursts the inner coat of the seed, elevating its upper portion, which is always circular, with a small rather thick umbo at its centre. I term this part the scutelhim, * as it seems destined to protect the embryo from injury while breaking through the external covering, which is of a rather firm texture, though much thinner in the part intended for the transmission of the embryo than it is elsewhere. Between this part and the apex of the inner coat of the seed there is at first a considerable vacancy, and it is only after the rupture of the inner coat that the embryo is sufficiently swelled to arrive at the outer barrier, and force open a passage. {Fig. 1.) At the time when that is accomplished, the embryo be- comes visible, bearing on its summit the scutellum, firmly attached by its centre only, to the lower lip of the cotyledon,^ * This is no doubt the dark spot figured in the section of the seed of Lemna trisulcu, given at Jig. 13 of the plate in the Flora Londinensis, and which I have there spoken of as a sort of operculum, — IV. J. H. f The names of the different parts are given rather from a supposed resem- blance to such parts in other seeds whose structure is well known, than from a full conviction of the correctness of their application. A structure so ano- malous might well create doubts in the minds of the most experienced botanists. — //'. J. II. U7 and also covering, with a portion of its circumference, the upper one, which, however, very soon forces the scutellum aside, and projects beyond it. The cotyledon, at first erect, now takes an oblique direction, and ultimately an horizontal one, (Jig, 2,) and soon after its appearance the seed rises to the surface of the water. Then the plantule, hitherto concealed, begins to extend its disc beyond the lips of the cotyledon, passing over the scutellum, and projecting far beyond it. The spur of the plantule, seated within the cavity {fig. 3, «,) of the lower lip, also grows larger, and its gradual developement is marked by a continually increasing prominence just below the scutel- lum, {figs. 6, 7, 8,) in the middle of the lower lip, which is at length pierced, {fig. 9,) and the spur becomes the root of the now almost erect plantule. The root bears at its extremity a sheath, not formed of a portion of the lower lip, as I once erroneously supposed, but precisely similar to that found on the roots of the parent plants or innovations afterwards produced, {figs. 9, 10, 11, 12, 13.) The root continues to grow until it is about six times as long as the seed, (some- times it remains very short,) and the lower portion of the embryo within the integuments of the seed now swells, and becoming slightly bulbous at its extremity, is securely re- tained within them. An innovation or secondary plant, from one or other of the sides of the plantule, {figs. 10, 12, 13,) near the insertion of the root, now makes its appearance. (I do not remember to have seen an instance in which there was one on each side of the same plantule, though I have frequently seen a second in- novation afterwards arise close to the first.) Its developement is exactly similar to those subsecjuently produced, and the spur or root does not pierce any portion of the plantule, but slips from the lower margin of the fissure, which has the same appearance as the (so termed) calyx in the fertile plant. This secondary plant usually bears two innovations on each side, and at the time when the plantule has thus given birth to a race of grandchildren, viviparously produced, the cotyledon remains attached to the whole, without any 148 symptoms of decay, and the integuments of the seed are still retained unaltered by the lower portion of the emhryo. At this stage, the plantule appears to be destitute of gibbosity on its lower surface, but the secondary frond is slightly con- vex below, and the tertiary ones still more so. The scutellum, it must be observed, has always a greater diameter than the orifice of the lower portion of the inner coat of the seed. This puzzled me at first; and it was only after a very careful dissection that I ascertained the fact of the inner coat being formed of three distinct skins, and that the scutellum is formed of different proportions of each ; the inner one * being the largest {fig. 14, a,) and the middle one the smallest of the three, {fig. 14, 6.) They are all of a circular figure, and the fissure in each of the skins is differ- ently situated. In one instance I found the scutellum, after the expansion of the embryo, not wholly detached from the lower portion of the inner coat of the seed, and entirely separated from the lip of the cotyledon, except perhaps the inner reticulated portion, which, I have reason to think, was carried up with the cotyledon. References to the Plate, Tab. XLII. Fig. ], The embryo just bursting through the outer coat of the seed. Fig. 2, The same more advanced ; a, the scutellum ; b, the lower lip of the cotyledon ; c, the upper lip of do. Fig. 3, The same a little more advanced; the lips of the cotyledon being open, the scutellum adhering to the ex- tremity of the lower lip, and exhibiting the plantule with its spur or radicle (a,) within. Fig. 4, The same after the removal of the coats of the seed. Fig. 5, The inner coat of the seed, with the scutellum or upper portion, («,) which always separates from the lower part at a circular fissure. * The inner skin proves to be albumen. This part is much more obvious in tlie seed of L, minor. — Jr. 149 Fig. 6, Sliows the embryo still more advanced, the lower lip in front. Fig. 7, The same, (a side view,) as seen in water against the light, showing the spur (or radicle) of the plantule pro- jecting into the lower lip of the cotyledon. Fig. 8, The same still more advanced, when the spur is about to burst through the lower lip. Fig. 9, Shows the spur after it has perforated the lower lip. It is now become the root, having a sheath at its ex- tremity. Fig. 10, Shows the innovation just shooting forth. Fig. 11, An innovation with its spur or radicle growing at the side of the primary plant, which in this instance was bent sideways. Fig. 12, The primary plant, wdth the innovation shooting forth its root. Fig. 13, Another view of the same. At this stage the coty- ledon is undecayed, and the coats of the seed still closely retain the lower portion of the cotyledon or embryo. Fig. 14, The scutellum or upper portion of the inner coat of the seed, removed from the lower lip of the cotyledon. It is formed, like the remaining portion of the inner coat, of three distinct skins: the innermost, (or lowest, a,) reticulated and colourless: the middle one, (6,) of a reddish brown colour and firmer texture, not reticulated : the outer, (or upper one, c,) pellucid and somewhat radiated. They differ in size considerably, the inner or lower one being largest, and the middle one the smallest of the three, and invariably circular ; the two others have their edges sometimes irregularly torn. In the figure the inner membrane is shown almost separated from the two others ; they are, however, connected at the centre. Fig. 15, The two upper coats, or skins of the scutellum, detached from the lowest one. Fig. 16, The inner or lower coat of the scutellum, showing its reticulated structure. 150 [TAB. XLIII. XLIV. XLV.] ON THE SPECIES OF THE GENUS COLLETIA, OF THE NATURAL ORDER RHAMNE^, Discovered by Dr. Gillies in South America. The genus Colletia, named by Commerson in honour of his countryman Collet, a botanist who, we are informed, studied the plants of Bresse, and proved a great opponent to the sys- tem of Tournefort, was established in the Genera Plantarura of Jussieu, I believe upon the C. spinosa, Lam., (C, horrida, Willd.) a native, it is said, of Brazil, Chili, and Peru: and the main character is made to depend, according to Jussieu, Lamarck, Willdenow, and in part, De CandoUe, upon the campanulate perianth or calyx having 5 plic(B internally, which are squamiform; yet the C. spinosa presents nothing of this kind, nor has any species of the genus that has come under my observation. Kunth,* too, who has examined Jussieu's own specimen, expressly says, that he " could not detect the plicae mentioned by Jussieu," but he observed within, an " annular, narrow, fleshy, entire disc, reflexed and glabrous, inserted above the base of the calyx," exactly as I find in all Dr. Gillies's undoubted species of CoUetia. Ventenat, in his Jardin de Cels, added C. obcordata, and in his Choix de Plantes, C. ser?'ati/olia, and C. Ephedra; all, as well as C. horrida, having opposite spinous branches and few or no leaves, together with campanulate flowers; but these, except C. serratifolia, M. Kunth thinks should consti- tute a peculiar genus, on the one hand allied to CoUetia and Rhamnus, on the other to Ceanothus, differing from the true Colktice in the presence of petals, antl in the absence of a disc. Hence that author excludes from his generic character the 5 squamiform plica3 to the calyx and the petals, and de- fines the disc as above in describing that of C. horrida : " Dis- cus annularis, angustus, carnosus, integer, calyce supra basin * Nov. Gen. V. 7, p. 46. /^ 151 insertus, reflexus." De Caiidolle, in his Prodromus, retains the characters, " Calyx intus villosus aut 5-plicatus : Petala ; " but so far adopts the idea of Kunth as to include only C. horrida and C. serratifoUa among the Colleti(B verce, whilst C. obcordata and C. Ephedra, are put into the section (?) Re- tanilla. The others come among the " species non satis notce." Thus stood the genus Colletia, till 1827, when M. Adolphe Brongniart's " Memoire sur la famille des Rhamne'es," ap- peared in the 10th vol. of the Annales des Sciences Naturelles. There, part of the character of Colletia runs, " Petala nulla vel minutissima, linearia," and " Discus brevis, cupulajformis, fundo calycis adnatus:" and the species included are C. Jiorrida, serratifoUa, tetragona, a new species from Peru, and C. pubescens, a New Holland one from my Plerbarium, which has a short tube, petals, and a disc of a very different charac- ter from that of C. spinosa, to which is added, as a " species affinis," C. infesta [Ceanothus infesta, Kunth and De Caii- dolle, which has petals and a disc lining the whole tube : — while Colletia obcordata and C. Ephedra, of Vent, are trans- ferred to the new genus Retanilla. In all the species now noticed, there is so strong a general resemblance that it seems almost a pity to separate them generically, and Brongniart, who has so done, has nevertheless included into his Colletia species with and without petals, and with a disc of at least three very different structures. If, therefore, Retanilla is to be removed from Colletia, by the same rule C. pid)escens and C. infesta ought to be: and, now that we are acquainted with three other Colletice, from the travels of Dr. Gillies, agreeing in every essential particular with the generic character of C. horrida, I shall deem this latter the type of the genus, which I would thus define : COLLETIA. Cal. subcampanulatus, 5-fidus, coloratus, supra-basin de- mum circumscissus. Petala nulla. Antherce reniformes vel cordatae, subuniloculares sulco hippocrepico dchis- centes. Discus annularis, angustus, carnosus, integer, re- flexus, supra basin calycis insertus. Germen superum vel 152 subinferum. Stylus subexsertus. Stigma incrassatiim, obsolete trilobum. Capsula 3-cocca, 3-sperma, inferne basi calycis cincta. Frutices, cortice viridi tecti, valde ramosi. Rami decussatim oppositi, spinescentes. Folia opposita, pauca vel nulla. Ylores, jjedimculati e tuberculis axillaribus ad basin spinarum erumpentes. " No organ in this family," observes M. Brongniart, " pre- sents more numerous modifications, or more important for classification, than the disc^ If this be the case, we shall surely be correct in confining the genus Colletia to those in- dividuals of this tribe which have the disc constituted as above described. Brongniart describes this disc as being cupulaeform, or cup-shaped, which, however correct in reality, does not convey the idea of the appearance of this disc that the words of M. Kunth do. I have seen nothing like it in any other plants of the order. The probability, in- deed, is, that this disc originates at the very base of the germen, that it lines the very bottom of the calyx, but with a coat so thin, that, though distinctly represented as such in the figure of Colletia spinosa figured by Brongniart, I have not myself been able to discover it. A little above the base, the disc becomes distinctly visible, and forms a narrow, fleshy, entire, reflexed ring. It is at its insertion that the separa- tion takes place, as the fruit advances to maturity, when the base remains and surrounds the base of the fruit. * Spinis Latissimis. 1. Colletia crwcmto, {Gill, et Hook.) \ foliis paucissimis ellip- ticis integerrimis, caule horrido spinis decussatis laterali- ter compressis ovatis acutissimis decurrentibus. (Tab. XLIII.) Hab. In collibus arenosis prope " Maldonado," Rio de la Plata. Frutex tri-quadripedalis, ereqtus, ramosus. Rami decussa- tim oppositi, subangulati, ubique spinis magnis horridis decussatis, lateraliter compressis, ovatis acutissimis, pun- 153 gentibus, decurrentibus tecti. Folia peipauca, valde caduca, ad basin spinarum, elliptica, integerrima, basi in petiolum brevem attenuata. Flores fasciculati, parvi, ad basin spinarum inserti, nutantes. Pedunculus flore brevior. Calyx cylindraceo-campanulatus, corollinus, albidus, basi solummodo viridis, obscure decemstriatus, apice quinque- fidus, segmentis patentibus. Petala 0. Stamina 5, fauce intra calycis segmenta inserta. Filamenta brevissima. AnthercB subrotundae, subuniloculares, bivalves, rima arcu- ata dehiscentes, valva inferiore minore. Discus annularis, carnosus, revolutus, integer. Pistillum : Germen liberum, ovatum, sulcis tribus obscuris longitudinalibus notatum. Stylus filiformis, longitudine fere tubi. Stigma incrassa- tum, parvum, trilobum. This, one of the most singular among the many curious plants in Dr. Gillies's rich collection of South American plants, was gathered during a hasty visit from the ship to the shores of the Banda Oriental, near Maldonado. It may be considered as constituted of a mass of opposite decussated and decurrent large laterally compressed spines, of the same dull green colour as the central portion or stem that unites them, and equally woody. The tips are darker coloured, sometimes brown, and very pungent. If the fascicle of flowers appears from any point except that of the base of a spine, it is either at the extremity, or below some slight swelling, and is indicative of a new spine which is about to appear. The leaves are so rare that only one could be found upon any of the specimens, and that upon one of the youngest branches. The form and structure of the flowers are very similar to those of Colletia ferox. Tab. XLIII. Fig. I, Flower. Fig. 2, Section of the same. Fig. 3, A leaf: — magnijied. * * Spinis suhulatis. 2. Colletia spinosa ; spinis validis, florum fasciculis sparsis, calycibus urceolatis, filamentis elongatis exsertis. (Tab. XLIV. A.) 154 «. glabra. , Colletia spinosa. Lam. lU. v. 2. p. 90. b. 129. Humb. et Kunth Nov. Gen. Ann. v. 7. j). 59. Roem. et Schultz. Syst. Veget. v. 5. p. 512. De Cand. Prodr. v. 2. p. 28. Spreng. Syst. Veget. v. 1. p. 771. Colletia horrida. Willd. Sp. PI. v. 1. p. 1113. Vent. Hort. Cels. p. 92. (vix Brongniart.) Colletia polyacantha. Willd. in Roem. et Schultz. Syst. Veget. V. 5. p. 113. /3. pubescenti-incana. Hab. cc. In ascensu Andium a convalle Uspallatensi ad " Ladera de las Vacas," atque in Andibus Chilensibus, prope " La Guardia," in valle fluminis " Aconcagua:" alt. 5000 ad 7500 ped. — /3. Apud " Romeral" prope urbem Chilensem " Curico," ubi Yaqui ab incolis vocatur. Lamarck appears to be the original authority for this species, which he has figured under the name here adopted in his lllustrationes. Brongniart adopts the name of horrida; but in the figure which he has given of the flowers, I find a considerable difference from that of Lamarck, for he repre- sents the filaments of the stamens so short, as not to raise the anthers above the margin of the sinuses of the segments, — a character so nearly corresponding with our next plant, that I have little hesitation in referring it to that species. Tab. XLIV. A. C. spitiosa. Fig. 1, Flower. Fig. 2, Section of do. Fig. 3, Stamen : — magnijied. 3. Colletia ferox^ (Gill, et Hook.); spinis validis, florum fasci- culis sparsis, calycibus oblongo-cylindraceis, antheris subsessihbus. (Tab. XLIV. B.) Colletia horrida. Bi'ongniart in Ann. des Sciences Nat. v. 10. p. 366. t. U.f. 1.? Hab. Prope Mendozam et in convallibus Andium versus Mendozam : alt. 2600 ad 5000 ped. This docs not appear to differ in any particular from the preceding species, except in the rather longer flowers, which 155 are broader and less urceolate; and in the anthers having filaments so exceedingly short, that without a very minute examination they might be entirely overlooked. Brongniart's figure of C. horrida represents the anthers as almost wholly included within the tube of the calyx : and the segments of the calyx are given as erect, whereas in our plant they are remarkably revolute. Tab. XLIV. B. C. ferox. Fig. 1, Flower. Fig. 2, Sta- men. Fig. 3, Young fruit. Fig. 4, Ripe fruit : natural size : — all but fig. 4 magnified. *^ 4. Colletia ^. 214. Spi'eng. Syst. Veget. v. 2. J). 751. Zapania lantanoides. Lam. III. v. 2. p. 140. Zapania odorata. Pe?'S. Syn. PL v. p. 140. Verbena globulifera. Herit. Stirp. v. 1. p. 23. t. 12. Willd. Sp. PI. V. I. />. 116. Hab. Copiose in planitiis australibus Provincias " Cor- dova." Caulis erectus, basi fruticosus. Planta tota aspera, fragrans. Friictus subrotundo-compressus, maturitate stylo termin- atus. PRIVA. 1. ^r'wa IcBvis ; herbacea glabra, foliis oppositis ovatis den- tatis basi cuneatis petiolatis, fructu calyce ampliato nudo tecto. Priva laevis. Juss. in Ann. du Mus. v. 7. j). 70. Castelia cuneato-ovata. Cavan. Icon. v. 6. p. 61. t. 583. Hab. Circa Mendozam, ad vias : et in Provincia Cordovae : alt. 1000 ad 2500 ped. < This plant, so well figured and described by Cavanilles, as a new genus, {Castelia^) has been referred to the genus Priva by Jussieu, and perhaps with justice. In habit it is not very dissimilar, but the calyx, though it becomes enlarged in pro- portion as the fruit increases in size, is never inflated, and it is always naked, free from setae. Flowers fragrant. Roots tuberous, whence the vernacular name " Papilla." WILSONIA. {nov. gen.) (Tab. XLIX.) Gen. Char. Ccd. 5-dentatus, tubulosus, dente anteriore majore, demum hinc longitudinaliter fissus. Corolla tubo cylindraceo, limbo 5-fido, inaquali. Stamina 4, didynama, fertilia. Stigma laterale. Driipa sicca : Nuces duae, bilo- culares, dispermae, primum arete cohaerentes, demum so- lutae. 173 1. Wihonia glaberrima, {Gill. et. Hook.); (Tab. XLIX.) Hab. In convallibus Andiiim, prope Mendozam : alt. 5000 ad 6000 ped. Frutex erectus, rigidus, subvirgatus, ubique glaberrimus. Ra- muli subspinescentes. Folia^ proecipue in raniis juniori- bus, saepe fasciculata, alterna, parva, oblongo-spathulata, crassiuscula, subcarnosa, obtusa, uninervia, sessilia. Flores terminales, in spicam laxiusculam congest!, bracteati, odor- ati. BractecB inferiores foliiformes, supremcB lineares, calyce breviores. Calyx brevissime pedicellatus, oblongo-cylin- draceus, 5-dentatus, parvus, dente unico (exteriore) lon- giore. Corolla calyce quadruplo longior. Tubus cylin- draceus, superne incrassatus. Germen ovatus, basi glan- dula carnosa cinctum. Stylus filiformis, tubo corollse longior. Stigma dilatatum, obliquum, sen laterale. Fruc- tus : Drupa ovalis, siccitate nigra, basi calyce hinc fisso circumdata, utrinque longitudinaliter sulcata, demum in duas nuces, plano-convexas, biloculares, dispermas, facile solutae. This has the habit of some species of Verbena, with a calyx of a similar structure to them, breaking down on one side as the fruit advances to maturity ; but the fruit itself is altogether that of Priva, from which it differs in its whole habit, in the small calyx, and especially in the woody stems and branches. I have named it in compliment to Wm. Wilson, Esq. of Warrington, whose unwearied exertions in the cause of botany, and acute researches into the structure of the minuter parts of vegetables, justly entitle him to such a mark of distinction. Among the Verbenas, the species most nearly allied to this is V. aspera of the present memoir, which has fasciculated and alternate leaves. But that has a fruit of four nuts, as in the rest of its genus. — The evanescent pericarp in this and in Priva Icevis, and in many Ve?-bence, I have in vain searched for. 174 [TAB. L.] ON MACRiEA, A NEW GENUS OF PLANTS FROM CHILE. After the excellent Memoir of Mr. Lindley on the present genus, published in Brande's Journal of Science, v. 25. p. 104, I should not have thought of presenting any farther observa- tions, only that I have for a long time had the plate en- graved, and the description of two species of the genus {Xeropetalon MSS.) ready for publication. Circumstances, over which I had no control, prevented their appearance, and now I should scarcely have thought them worthy of meeting the public eye, were it not that a figure of the genus is still a desideratum, and that I have been more fortunate than Mr. Lindley in possessing perfect fruit. My first knowledge of the plant was derived from Mr. Lindley himself, who kindly gave me a specimen from his Herbarium, as a genus allied to Frankenia. That author, in the Memoir above quoted, has alluded to its affinity with FrankeniacecBi and has pointed out the differences in the struc- ture of the ribs of the calyx. In examining this, and other species which I have since received from the Horticultural Society, and from Mr. Cruickshanks of Valparaiso, Mr. Arnott and myself were forcibly struck with their similarity in many points to the CaryophyllecB and Cistinea, as well as the Linea. From all of these Macrcea differs in its mono- phyllous calyx, and in the nature, and especially the dehi- scence of the capsule, and from the latter more particularly in the curved embryo. There is another point of resemblance to which Mr. Lind- ley has alluded, namely, its affinity with the GeraniacecB. He observes, " If we can understand the axis of the capsule of Macraa to be an elongated torus, we have then a fruit of a sufficiently similar structure to be compared to that of Ger- aniacecB, Hutacece^ and other neighbouring tribes." Still I must confess that the habit of our plants is so entirely at variance with the GeraniacecBy as are the monophyllous calyx, 175 the dry membranaceous nature of the petals, and the strait (never convoluted or plicate) cotyledons of the embryo, that to unite the two would hardly be consistent with the object of a natural arrangement. MacrcBa probably forms a distinct order from any hitherto known, and Chile may yet soon pro- duce other novelties allied to this which will better enable us to refer it to its right place in the system. Mr. Lindley considers the stamens to be inserted upon a short torus. To me they appear perfectly hypogynous : and, immediately at the base of each alternate stamen, and al- ternating with the petals, 1 find a small fleshy pubescent scale or gland. These are so small, however, that their real structure is not to be seen without much difficulty. Geiieric Character. MACRiEA. Lindl. Cal. inferus, monophyllus, campanulatus decemcostatus, angulatus, 5 dentatus, dentibus marginatis. Petala 5, hypogyna, obovata, unguiculata, scariosa, per- sistens. Stam. 10, hypogyna, basi5-glandulosa. Filamenta filiformia. AnthercE, oblongae, basi insertae, biloculares, lon- gitudinaliter dehiscentes. Germen ovale, trilobum. Stylus perbrevis. Stigmata 3, linearia, dorso sulcata. Capsula subrotundo-ovalis, 3-loba, trilocularis, semitrivalvis, valvis loculicidis. Locula disperma. Semina 2 in singulo loculo, receptaculo parvo versus medium axeos inserta, altero ascendente, altei'o suspenso, globosa, subangulata, fusca. Albumen carnosum, album, copiosum. Embryo filiformis, curvatus. Cotyledones angustae. Radicula elongata, ad hilum seminis versa. Suffrutices aridcB. Rami oppositi. Folia opposita, hrevimme petiolata^ ovata, integerrima vel crenata, puhescentia, suhtus niveo-tomentosa. Panicula^ terminales, dlchotomce, breves. 1. Macraea. grandifolia ; foliis subtus griseis glandulosis, venis prominentibus, ramis pubescentibus, pedunculis folio bi'evioribus. Lindl. Macraea grandifolia. Lindl. in Brande's Journ. v. 25. p. 204. Hab. Spontc crescentem juxta vicum Colina, urbis Santiago VOL. I. N 176 finitimum legit Macrae. 1825. — In Andibus Chilensibus in valle " del Fray Carlos," prope radices mentis igni- vomi " Peteroa;" alt. 7500 ped. Gillies. Folia 8 lineas longa, plerumque integerrima, nunc obscure serrata, subtus minus tomentoso-nivea quam in reliquis. Most of my specimens of this species are derived from the same source as Mr. Lindley's, and I am indebted for them to the liberality of the Horticultural Society. 2. Macraea parvifolia; foliis subtus niveis venis obscuris, ramis arachnoideis pedunculis folio brevioribus. Lindl. Macrsea parvifolia. Lindl. in Brande's Journ. v. 25. p. 204. Hab. Cum precedente legit Macrae. 3. Macrsea rosea; foliis (integerrimis) distantibus subtus niveis eglandulosis, ramis pubescentibus, pedunculis elon- gatis. Lindl. (Tab. L.) Macraea rosea. Lindl. in Brande's Journ. v. 25. p. 204. Hab. Ad Cumbre, Andium claustrum, Novembre floridam legit Macrae. In Chile, a Guardia usque ad Primera Quebrada. L>. Cruickshanks. — In summum fere montis altissimi Chilensis, " San Pedro Nolasco" dicti. Gillies. Friitex, ut videtur, parvus, pedalis et ultra, erectus vel subde- cumbens, ramis oppositis, vetustioribus glabris, fuscis nitidis; junioribus gracilibus tereti-filiformibus, pubescen- tibus. Folia opposita, remotiuscula, ovata, brevissime petiolata, patentia vel reflexa, integerrima, oblique ner- vosa, superne atroviridia, appresse pubescenti-pilosa, sub- tus niveo-tomentosa, marginibus planis. PanicidcB breves, terminales, bis-terve di-trichotomae. Pedunculi pedicellive basi bibracteati; bracteis inferioribus foliiformibus; su- perioribus minutis, lanceolatis. Calyx pubescens, ore paululum contractus, basi abrupte constrictus. Corolla rosea, longe unguiculata, venosa, venis intra marginem unitis. Fig. 1, Calyx. Fig. 2, Petal. Fig. 3, Stamens, with the ac- companying gland. Fig. 4, Pistil. Fig. 5, Style and 177 stigmas. Fig. 6, Capsule. Fig. 7, Section of do. Fig* 8, Valve of the capsule, showing the attachment of the seeds, and the central axis partly free. Fig. 9, Seed. Fig. 10, Section of the seed to show the embryo: — all more or less magnified. 4. Macraea crenata; foliis profunde crenatis marginibus reflexis subtus niveo-tomentosis, floribus subcorymbosis, (petalis albis.) Hab. Cum priore. D. Cruickshanks. In Andibus Chilensibus prope " La Guardia" in valle fluminis Aconcagua: alt. 5000 ped. Gillies. Until after the publication of Mr. Lindley's Memoir, I was only acquainted with the present and foregoing species : the former having the leaves quite entire, the margins plane, the flowers of a beautiful rose-colour; the latter having deeply crenate leaves, with the margins revolute, the petals white. But I am fearful that these characters may not be constant, and I am equally in doubt with regard to the characters of the rest of the genus. The glands, extremely minute in themselves, are very variable on different individuals and even on different leaves of the same specimen. The quantity of pubescence on the under side of the leaf is scarcely to be relied on, and thus the nerves beneath become more or less conspicuous. The length of the peduncles and colour of the flowers I fear cannot much be depended upon. All might, probably, without violation to nature, be referred to varieties of the same species. The genus is deservedly named in compliment to Mr. James Macrae, who made valuable collections for the Horti- cultural Society both in the Brazils, at the Sandwich Islands and in Chile ; and who is now entrusted with the charge of the Botanic Garden at Ceylon. N 2 178 SKETCH OF A JOURNEY TO THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS AND TO THE COLUMBIA RIVER IN NORTH AMERICA: Sy Thomas Druwmond, Assistant Naturalist to the second Land Arctic Expedition, under the command of Captain Sir John Franklin, R. N. [It is scarcely necessary to preface the following journal of an excursion through a country hitherto unknown to the Naturalist with any ob- servation, further than to say, that it embraces the period of time when Mr. Drummond quitted Sir John Franklin, Dr. Richardson, and the other officers of the Expedition, at Cumberland House, to that of his rejoining them at the same place. — Ed.] Cumberland House, of which the latitude is 53o 56' 40" N., longitude 102" 16' 41" W., is situated upon a small island, called Pine Island, formed by the branching of the Saskatch- avvan, which divides into two channels, just before its junction with a lake, called Pine Island Lake. In times of high water, occasioned by the melting of the snow upon the mountains where it takes its rise, the river runs into the lake by the upper channel, and empties itself by the lower. During the time which elapsed between my arrival at Cum- berland House, on the 28th of June, and the 10th of August, when the waters began to. fall, the lake had risen six feet perpendicular, reducing the island, which is naturally low, to a very small compass, and destroying the corn which grew immediately around the fort. This was a very unusual cir- cumstance, and I found, when afterwards ascending the Sas- katchawan, that the waters had attained to upwards of twenty feet above their winter level. The country in the neighbour- hood of Cumberland House is limestone, similar to that de- scribed by Dr. Richardson in the vicinity of Lake Winnipeg. The following list comprises some of the plants which I collected during my stay at Cumberland House, but it cannot be considered as a full enumeration, since many of the spring- flowers were past, and a still greater number must have escaped my memory: — Ilippuris vulgaris, Utricularia vul- garis and media, J^eronica peregrina and scutellata, a species of Lycopus ? 2 species of Scirpus, a species of Eriophorum, 179 Alopecurus aristulatus, Phleum pratense, Alopecurus sp., a Poa resembling P. distans and P. annua^ Loliun perenne^ introduced? Bromiis sp.? Tritlcum sp., Elymus niollis and another species, Hordeum juhatum^ Arundo coloi-ata, A. phragmites, A. catiadensis, &c. with many other GraminecB. Galium septentrionale, and 2 other species, Potamogeton pec- tinatim^ P. lucens, P. JIuitans, and 2 others. Pidmonaria paniculata^ Myosotis Lapptda, and another species, Lysimachia thyrsiflora and L. ciliata^ Apocynum androscemifolium and A. cannabinmn^ Campanula rotundifoUa^ Lonicerajlava ? Diervilla cmridea, Symphoria racemosa, and another species or variety, Viola debilis and V. canadensis^ Swertia difformis ? a Gentiana, with the habit of G. Campestris, 4 or 5 species of Chenopo- dium, Pastinaca saliva, perhaps naturalized, and several other UmbellifercB, of one of which the Indians eat the roots. Vi- biirnum edule and V. oycoccos, Parnassia paluslris, Drosera rotundifolia, LinncEa borealis, Cornus alba, and C. canadensis, a species of Allium, Convallaria bifolia, Acorus Calamus, Jun- cus bufonius, and J. gracilis, &c., several species of Rumex, Alisma Plantago, Vaccinium Vitis Idcea, and V. Oycoccos, Polygonum amphibiiim, P. Persicaria, P. Convolvulus and P. aviculare, Monotropa uniflora, Pyrola secunda, P. elliptica, with the flowers, pure, white, and very fragrant, P. chlorantha and P. rotundifolia, the latter differing from the British species in having rose-coloured blossoms, Andromeda pol if olia. Arbutus Uva ursi, Saxifraga tricuspidata, Mitella nuda, Stellaria lateriflora, &c. Aronia ovalis, a species of Primus, resembling P. Cerasus, Spiraea scdicifolia, 3 varieties of Rose, a Rubus, resembling R. Idceus, R. trijlorus, ChaincBmorus, and R. pistillaris, Fragaria canadensis and F. Vesca, Potcntilla norvegica ? also a species with quinate and another with pinnate leaves, Potentilla anserina, Geum strictum, Comarum palustre, Actcea americana, a 'Nuphar similar to N. lutea, Aquilegia canadensis, Anemone dichotoma and A. mnltijida. Ranunculus Purshii, R. Jluviatdis, R. sceleratus, and several other species, Mentha canadensis, Scutellaria galericulata, Dracocephalum virginicum and D. parviflorum, a species of Melampyrum, Lepidium virginicum, Erysimum cheiranthoides? 180 Sisymbrium canescens and S. brachycarpum, Geranium caro- linimiufn, Fumaria aurea, Lathyrus palustris and another species, Vicia canadensis and V. pisiformis, an Astragalus, resembling A. glycyphyllos, Hieraciimi sabaudum, Sonchus oleraceus and 2 other species, a species of Cnicus, of which I obtained no specimens, the inundation having destroyed them all before their time of flowering. Verbesina alata ? with large yellow blossoms, a species of Senecio and another of Bidens, Leontodon palustre, Gnaphalium like G. dioicum, Artemisia biennis, several kinds of Erigeron, Solidago mnltira- diata and several others, many species of Aster, a Tussilago, Achillea Millefolium and another species. Pursh considers the A. Millefolium to be a naturalized plant, but this is cer- tainly not the case, for it is frequently found near the sum- raits of the Rocky Mountains. Of Orchis there are several kinds, Corallorhiza innata, Cypripedium pubescens, Spar- ganiwn ramosum, and S. simplex, Carex Pseudo-Cyperiis, C. filiformis, C. teretiuscula and several others. Typha latifolia, Urtica urens? Myriophyllum spicatum, Ceratophyllnm demer- sum, Sagittaria sagittifolia, Calla palustris, Festuca fliiitans. Uvidaria puberula, a species of Impatiens ? Fpilobium angiis- tifolium and many others, a JRibes like rubrum, another with black hispid fruit, 2 species with black smooth fruit, and one resembling the gooseberry. Lemna minor, L. trisidca, L. minor, and L. gihba, Equisetum palustre, E, arvense, E. syl- vaticum, and a species smaller than E. variegatum, §t. The only moss that I added to my collection here was Bryum triquetrum, found abundantly in the swamps. The following trees gi'ow in this neighbourhood : Pinus alba, P. nigra, and P. microcarpa, Populus trepida, and the rough-barked species, Populus balsamina, Betula jjapyracea and B. glandulosa, the latter is small and confined to the swamps; with a few species of JVillows. There is also a species of Fraxinus, sparingly met with on the banks of the river Saskatchawan, and a species o^ Elm. This place may be considered as the highest northern limit of the genera Ulmus and Fraxinus. The birds which I observed here offer comparatively little worthy of remark. The Passenger Pigeon is very common, 181 building its nest in the willow bushes on the margins of the lake, and feeding principally at this season upon tiie berries of Cormis alba and C. canadensis. A species of Caprwmff^us is also common here and throughout all the country from Canada to the Rocky Mountains. It is called Peesqua by the natives, because its note consists of this word, which it repeats almost incessantly during the fine summer evenino-s, when it soars so high as to be almost imperceptible. In windy weather it flies lower, in pursuit of its food, probably insects, and it may then be sometimes taken, though this is always difficult, on account of the irregularity of its move- ments. It makes its nest, which much resembles that of the common lapiving, on the ground, and lays three or four eo-o-s of a dirty brown, marked with darker coloured spots. I often met with it on the plains of the Saskatchawan, in the beginning of July. The insects are not numerous : I observed Papilio Atalanta^ P. Urticce, and P. Comma-album, and P. Cardui ; also a species much resembling P. Cardaminis, but the sexes exactly similar, the male insect wanting the orange spot upon the wings ; also another species, pure white, resembling P. Napi, and a large purple one with a white border; a large yellow butterfly of the swallow-tail kind, with black clouds and streaks; and a smaller yellow one, resembling P. Rhamni. In Coleoptera, the genera Bupresfis and Cerambyx are numerous on the picquets of the fort : but many of the most common British genera are almost wanting, such as Cnrcidio, Scarabcetis, and Staphylina. Tlie Mosquitoes are more plen- tiful here than I saw them anywhere else. The country round Cumberland House is very flat and marshy. The only rising ground of any considerable eleva- tion visible from it is the Basqua Hill, said to be about 40 or 50 miles distant. It was visited by the late Lieutenant Hood during the winter which that Expedition passed at Cumberland House, and from the information which the Indians gave me of the numerous plants that grow there ex- clusively, I regretted very much that it was not in my power to explore it. 182 The company's boats having arrived about the 20th of August, I left this place for Carlton House. On arriving at that post, Sept. 1st, the Indians were found to be in so unsettled a state, that it would have been very unsafe to make excursions in that neighbourhood, without the protection of a strong party ; and I therefore decided upon proceeding with the brigade, until I should find a place better suited to my purpose. In ascending the river, the banks became gradually more elevated, seldom, however, precipitous, but rising gradually with broken undulating ground, sometimes for the space of a mile, before reaching the level of the sur- rounding country, which, at the junction of the south branch, may be estimated at from 150 to 200 feet above the bed of the river. This place may be considered as the commence- ment of those extensive plains which reach from hence to the Rocky Mountains, a distance of at least 700 or 800 miles, and, according to Indian information, are prolonged as far south as Mexico. The district is appropriately named by the Canadian Voyageurs, la grande Prairie, The woods which partially cover the country immediately contiguous to Carlton House, disappear at a distance of about 20 miles to the westward. The soil is generally sandy, and the vegetation becomes of a diiferent and peculiar aspect, the tribe of Papi- lionacece prevailing to a considerable degree, and the genera Plilox, Liatris, Malva, and Ej'iogonum. Here I first observed a Psoralea^ nearly allied to P. esculenta of Pursh, its roots, like that species, affording to the poor natives, in times of scarcity, a miserable substitute for animal food. The roots somewhat resemble those of the Dahlia^ and the Indians are very expert at digging them up with a forked stick, which they use in the manner of a lever. They sometimes also eat the roots of a species of Hedysarum, the plant probably mentioned by Sir Alexander M'Kenzie under the appellation of Liquorice. Two or three kinds of UmbellifercB and As- ■clepiadecB, which 1 found nowhere else in my route, grew in this neighbourhood, also 5 or 6 species oi Phascum* * A genus of Mosses scarcely knowa hitherto as natives of America. 183 The plan I pursued for collecting was as follows. When the boats stopped to breakfast, I immediately went on shore with my vasculum, proceeding along the banks of the river, and making short excursions into the interior, taking care, however, to join the boats, if possible, at their encampment for the night. After supper, I commenced laying down the plants gathered in the day's excursion, changed and dried the papers of those collected previously; which operation generally occupied me till daybreak, when the boats started. I then went on board and slept till the breakfast hour, when I landed and proceeded as before. Thus I continued daily until we reached Edmonton House, a distance of about 400 miles, the vegetation having preserved much the same char- acter all the way. The Aronia ovalis is not uncommon about Carlton House, and its fruit is eaten by the natives, mixed with their pemmi- can, while they prefer the wood which it affords to every other kind for making their arrows. The species oi Primus, Bird- Cherry, or Choke-Cherry, is also frequently met with; and its fruit, when fully ripe, is not disagreeable. I found the fruit of the Viburnimi edule to be very efficacious in allaying thirst.' Several interesting animals of the deer kind occur in this vicinity. One of them, called by the traders the short-tailed Jumping Deer, is a creature about the size of a fallow deer. It has hair of a beautiful silvery grey colour. I killed a fine specimen of this animal on my journey to Carlton House, in the spring of 1827, but was under the painful necessity of using its skin, after having carried it 15 days, for food. It was a male, and had at that time (the middle of March,) shed its horns. There is another species, called in this country the long-tailed Jumping Deer, probably the Mule Deer of Lewis and Clarke, but it did not come under my own observation. The prong- horned Antelope, described by Dr. Richardson, in Captain Franklin's first Expedition, is a very beautiful litde animal, of about the size and general appearance of the roebuck. It is considered the swiftest inhabitant of the plains. These creatures arrive in the neighbourhood of Carlton House about the end of April. They bring forth their young in May, 184 producing two at a birth, and are said to migrate to the south during the winter. The Hare of the plains is of very rare occurrence : in size it rather exceeds the British hare, and turns white during the winter. I killed a specimen of it on my journey to Edmonton House, in the autumn of 1825 ; it was a female, and giving suck at that time, (the middle of September,) and was of a much lighter grey than the English animal. Not being aware of the scarcity of this creature, and indeed confounding it with the common hare, I took but little care of its skin, which was lost in consequence. Another very interesting animal is the Badger of the plains. Its general appearance resembles the European species, but it is not so large. These creatures burrow in the open plains, making their holes perpendicular at the entrance, which, when concealed by the growth of the grass, prove very troublesome to the pedestrian and dangerous to the mounted hunter, whose horse at full speed is often thrown by them, to the no small risk of the rider's neck. The badgers are very dexterous at concealing themselves in their burrows, and it is difficult to dig them out. We adopted the plan of filling their holes with water, which forced the animals to come out, when we secured them easily. The same method proved successful for catching the ground squirrels, but it is not likely that it would answer equally well when the earth is thoroughly thawed, as the water would then drain off, and the little creatures would dig deeper and deeper, throwing up the earth behind them, which would prevent the water from reaching them. The Badgers ap- pear to be partly carnivorous, living on mice and ground squirrels, which their claws are admirably adapted for digging up. The Small Wolf, or Prairie Dog, is a very common inhabi- tant of the plains. Its size is intermediate between the com- mon wolf and the fox. Like the former of these animals, the Prairie Dogs hunt in packs of from 3 to 50 and more, and thus, from their number, they become an overmatch for the largest animals of the country ; they are also so impudent that they will venture within a few yards of the hunter, and 185 carry away the game he may have killed, though a fire be lighted for its protection. I procured specimens of this ani- mal at Carlton, in the spring of 1827. There is another small species of Tox found in the plains, which the traders call the Kit Fox, it is the smallest of the genus that I have ever seen. The traders furnished us with skins of it, but it did not fall under my observation in a living state. The different species of Arctomys, or Ground Squirrel, have been already described by Dr. Richardson. Three of them are found in the vicinity of Carlton House : they are the Arctomys Franklinii, A. Richardsoni, and A. Hoodii. All are lively and beautiful animals. The former, when pursued by dogs, will sometimes climb up a tree, but it is an unwieldy creature in such circumstances, when compared with the Hudson^s Bay Squirrel, which it somewhat resembles. The birds most worthy of notice are the Tetrao Phasian- ellus, the Pheasant of the traders, or Pin-tailed Grous : these abound on the plains. They ai'e about as big as the British grous, of a much lighter colour, and having two of the tail feathers projecting about two inches beyond the rest, whence the name is derived. In habit, these birds resemble the common grous, they make their nests on the ground, laying fi'om five to ten or a dozen eggs, which are like those of a partridge. They keep in families until winter, when they congregate in large coveys. At pairing time, which is the month of May, the Pin-tailed Grous select some little emin- ence, to which they resort at daybreak in great numbers, jumping, running round each other, chuckling, and pei-form- ing many curious manoeuvres; and this they continue to do for several weeks, until the ground is worn quite bare, when they separate in pairs for the season. Their flesh is well- flavoured, and the sportsman would find excellent amuse- ment in following them. Among the numerous species of Duck that frequent the lakes of the plain, may be particularised the Buddy Duck, remarkable for the brilliant blue colour of the bill of the male, and the singular way in which, when courting or 186 caressing the female, it carries its tail, which is perfectly upright, giving the bird, at a little distance, the appearance of having two heads. It seems to breed in the neighbour- hood of Carlton, as I killed a pair of them in the beginning of June, the female having eggs in her body ready for ex- clusion. Their plumage is remarkably thick and glossy, as that of the Grebes, and, like these birds when pursued or frightened, the ducks dive, and show only their bills above water. The Bittern is frequently seen in the marshes about Carlton House ; its habits are the same as those of the British species, and it possesses the same singular cry. The sound is very deceptive, frequently appearing as if quite near when really a mile distant. The Bitterns appear to have the power of inflating their necks and windpipes to a large size, and I feel no doubt that to this property alone they owe the extraordinary booming noise which they make. There is also a species of Curvirostra common in the lakes of the plains, near which they breed. On approaching their haunts, they fly to meet you, giving, at the same time, the note of alarm to the rest, who immediately join, as if to chase away the intruder, by which means they are easily shot. The American Curlew, and several other species of that genus, have the same habit, as well as the Lapwing of our own country. A beautiful little bird, Phalaropus Wilsoni, also inhabits those lakes. I procured several specimens about the middle of May, 1827. They swim with great ease, but generally frequent the shallow water. There is also another small bird that deserves to be noticed for the courage with which it attacks all others that venture near its residence; it is a species of Flycatcher, about the size of a lark, and it is truly amusing to see it assault the Falco horealis, or any other large bird. It soars above them, then darting down on the back of the opponent, applies its beak, with all the strength that it possesses, to its head, sometimes remaining in this position for a minute or more, and then it returns in triumph to its station, on the top of 187 some neighbouring bush or small tree, where it resumes the occupation of watching for flies. Many small birds are also seen here in their passage to more northerly regions, such as the Emberiza nivalis, E. laponica, &c. The large snowy owl is also met with, and a small brown species, called by the natives the Beaver Owl; but why so designated, I could not learn. I observed one of their nests near Carlton House, built on the ground amoner the bushes, containing two young ones, in the end of May. Several Lepidopterce occurred in these districts, which I did not meet with in any other situations ; but as their names are unknown to me, I cannot particularize them. The tribe of Coleoptera is scarce, which may, in some measure, be owing to the grass of the prairies being frequently set on fire. Amongst them I remarked a curious species of Cicindela, almost white, with a slight shade of a darker colour on the margin of each elytra; it inhabits sandy spots near the South Branch River. The following Mosses, and these only, were seen in the vicinity of Carlton House. Phascum cuspidatum, var. 2; P. muticum, P. serrotnm, P. suhexsertum, and P. crispum. Gymnnfitomum tetragonum, G. latifolium, G. ova.t?mi, G. phascoides, and G. subsessile, &c. 1 have already mentioned that there is little or no difference perceptible between the nature and productions of the country that lies between Carlton House and Edmonton. It is diflicult to account for these plains being almost desti- tute of wood ; but it may partly be owing to repeated con- flagrations, which lay waste the land to a great extent, no deep ravines, extensive swamps, or elevated ground inter- vening to check the progress of the flames. Thus much is certain, that the vicinity of Edmonton House, for many miles round, was, twenty or thirty years ago, covered with trees, but by being frequently set on fire, it has become exactly similar to the rest. There are few, if any, rocks visible from the banks of the river, between Cumberland and Edmonton, so that I am unable to decide where the junction takes place between the sandstone and limestone districts ; probably it is where the 188 country begins to rise, before reaching the place where the South Branch River meets the Saskatchawan. Sandstone appears to prevail around Edmonton ; it contains thin strata of coal, which is found to burn well, and is employed in the forge for working the iron necessary in boat-building. The distance between the junction of the South Branch River with the Saskatchawan, and the Rocky Mountains House, may be estimated at from 700 to 800 miles. At Edmonton House, the brigade for the Columbia left the Sas- katchawan, making a portage of 100 miles to the Red-Deer River, which falls into the Athabasca Lake ; and as I still adhered to my resolution of accompanying it, I found it necessary to reduce my luggage into as small a compass as possible, and therefore left my specimens under the charge of the gentlemen at Edmonton House, only carrying with me a small stock of linen and a bale of paper. The second day, after leaving Edmonton House, brought us to the commencement of the woody country, which con- tinues all the way to the Rocky Mountains. The trees con- sist of Populus halsamifera and P. trepida ; the IVIiite Spruce Fir and the Birch^ with Pitius Banksiana occasionally in the drier situations, and then, more rarely, the Balsam Poplar. These are the only trees which occur north of this latitude, though in some localities, and in deep swamps, the Pinus nigra and P. microcarpa may occasionally be seen. Almost the only plants which we remarked as peculiar to this district, were a species of Delphinium, allied to D. elatiim, and a curious aquatic, resembling in habit the Hydrocharis Morsus Ranee, of which I gathered no specimens at the time, for it was out of flower, and I never saw it again. We crossed the Portage in six days, without meeting with any serious accident. The horse, however, which carried my bale of paper, unluckily fell down in crossing Papina River, by which the plants were thoroughly soaked ; and as the speed with which the brigade proceeded precluded all hope of getting them dried by the way, I found myself unwillingly compelled to carry them on in a damp state, until we reached Fort Assina- boyne, a small establishment belonging to the Company upon 189 Red-Deer River, where we spent two or three days preparing the canoes and cargo for our ascent of the river to the moun- tains. The Red-Deer River, on which this Fort is situated, is probably one of the most southern streams which empties its waters into the Frozen Ocean. The whole distance from Fort Assinaboyne to the Rocky Mountains, following the general course of the river, which runs in a nearly due west direction, may be estimated at about 200 miles. The country is thickly wooded with the same species of trees as were mentioned before; the Pinus Banksiana and Populus halsamifera, however, becoming much more frequent. It was now ascertained that the canoes were so heavily laden, that it would be necessary for some of the party to go by land, and I gladly agreed to be one of these, in order to have the opportunity of seeing the country, and judging of its probable productions. We quitted the Fort accordingly, on the 1st or 2d of October, and started in high spirits for a journey on horseback. A heavy fall of snow, however, which took place on the 4th, put a final period to collecting for this season ; it also rendered our progress through these trackless woods very unpleasant, our horses becoming soon jaded, when the only alternative was to walk, and drive them before us. To add to these misfortunes, the poor animals were continually sinking in the swamps, from which we found it no easy task to extricate them. The Red-Deer River is very rapid, so that its rise must be considerable, though not discernible when travelling through the woods which skirt it. The general appearance of the country is flat, intersected with lakes and swamps, and occasionally broken undulat- ing ground. The weather during this part of our jour- ney, proved very unfavourable; snow and a thick fog- prevented my making much observation on the vegetation, which, however, appeared to bear the same character until we approached the mountains. It also forbade my getting any view whatever of the Rocky Mountains, until we actually reached them. We arrived at Jasper's House on the eleventh day, having travelled a distance of 200 miles since we quitted Assinaboyne Fort, under disadvantageous 190 circumstances ; but all the party were in good health, and we were joined by the canoes on the day following. Jasper's Lake may be considered as the entrance to the Rocky Mountains. It is about 8 or 9 miles in length, and 2 or 3 in breadth, being, in fact, merely an expansion of the Red-Deer River. The Hudson's Bay Company have built a hut here for the accommodation of the person who takes charge of their horses, which are used for crossing the Portage to the Col- umbia ; but the boats, after discharging part of their cargo at the head of the lake, proceed about 50 miles farther up the river, where the Portage commences, to the Upper House. The kindness of Lieut. Simpson, R. N., who was at this time employed in surveying the country, gave me the opportunity of ascertaining the latitude of the commence- ment and termination of the Rocky Mountains Portage. Jasper's House, or the beginning of the mountains, is in 53^ 18' 40" north latitude, U7" 38' 36" west longitude. The commencement of the Portage 52° 43' 10" north, 117o 54' 46" west; the travelling distance he estimates at 54 miles. The latitude of the west end of the Portage, at the Columbia, is 52° 7' 10", longitude 118° 22' 30", and he calculates the travellinij distance at 97 miles. The- height of one of the mountains, taken from the com- mencement of the Portage, Lieut. Simpson reckons at 5,900 feet above its apparent base, and he thinks that the altitude of the Rocky Mountains may be stated at about 16,000 feet above the level of the sea. The first indication which the vegetation afforded of our approach to the mountains, was the Arbutus alpina and Dryas Drimimotidii ; the latter, with a beautiful yellow flower, was growing upon the gravelly battures formed by one of the mountain rivulets : Dryas tenella was also there, and an Eriogonum of considerable beauty. I also observed Splachnum angiistatuni and S. mnioides, growing commonly on the animal tracks in the woods, principally on the dung of the wolf or fox. I after- wards ascertained, though too late to profit by the informa- tion, that two of the largest and finest mosses that are known, the Splachnum ruhrum and S. luteum, may be found in the 191 same vicinity. The Cetraria nivalis and C. cucuUata abound in the pine woods, and here I first observed the Pinus taxi- folia. That curious moss, the Gymnostomum pulvinatum is met with on the rocks, and also Neckera Menziesii, nov. sp. ; the latter but rarely. At the head of Jasper's Lake, our tract led us over a rather lofty rock, where, besides the beautiful Eriogonum and Dryas tenella, 1 found a plant much resembling a Saxifraga, with roundish leaves 'and pale red flowers, and also several of the alpine species of Potentilla. From this rock I obtained the first good view of the sur- rounding mountains, which gratified me extremely. The rocks are mountain limestone, and destitute of vegetation for about one-third of their height, but whether this is owincr to their great elevation, or to a want of soil, I am unable to determine. The Red-Deer River at this place takes a bend to the south, which it continues for upwards of 70 miles, forming a narrow valley of about a mile in breadth, with a fine range of mountains on each side, or they may rather be called groupes of mountains, as they are frequently inter- sected with deep narrow valleys, running in almost every direction. Their general height, skirting the river, may be computed at from 3 to 7,000 feet above it; there is generally a secondary kind of range at their bases, probably formed by the gradual crumbling down of the more elevated parts ; and almost always clothed with vegetation to the very top, while two-thirds or more of the highest range consists of nothing but bare rock, destitute of even a Lichen ; a circumstance which I attribute more to the nature of the soil than to the altitude of the mountains. The rocks frequently rise perpen- dicularly to a considerable height, but their summits are so sloping as to render them mostly accessible. On the whole, I thought their vegetation less interesting than what I had remarked on the rocks about the head of Clova and Loch- na-gar in Scotland. The dry arid sides of the low hills are thickly covered with Arbutus uva-ursi, mixed sometimes with Juniperus prostratiis, a plant which is also frequent on the steep and dry banks of the Saskatchawan. About half-way between Jasper's House and the commencement of the VOL. I. o 192 Portage, we crossed the Assinaboyne River, which is a large branch of the Red-Deer River, and running at ahnost right anffles with it, to the westward. I liad afterwards an oppor- tunity of following the course of this stream for 100 miles, but yet did not reach its source. I here first met with a species of Viscmn (?) on the Pinus Banksiana, and giving the branches of that tree a most curious appearance; also with Splachnmn mnioides and S. angustatum; and on the rocks grows Gymnostomum pulvi- natum, which for some time I mistook for a variety of Grim- mia apocarpa^ to which it bears a considerable resemblance ; Hypnum obtusifolium, Didymodon rigidulum, and D. fragile^ also occur here. On reaching the Portage, we halted for a day or two, to arrange the luggage, preparatory to crossing the Rocky Mountains. The very great difficulty with which this process was attended, compelled me to give up the resolution I had formed of going for the winter to the Columbia River, and decided me upon remaining among the Rocky Moun- tains, the gendeman who was in charge of the brigade hav- ing kindly promised to engage a hunter to remain with me during that time. He also provided me with horses to con- vey my luggage, but as I had left my tent and other neces- saries at Edmonton House, I found myself but indilFerendy equipped for an American winter. My plan was to reach the Smoking River, where the Hudson's Bay Company has an establishment : but unforseen circumstances prevented my accomplishing this design. The brigade left the Upper House on the 18th of October, and, for the first time in my life, I found myself alone with Indians; but every thing was so new to me, and I had such agreeable anticipations as to the result of my next summer's occupations, that I scarcely felt the solitariness of my situation. The snow again disap- peared partially from some of the low grounds, and I was busily engaged in investigating, as far as possible, the promise of the ensuing spring. Didymodon latifoUum, Gym- nostomum ovation, and a very handsome yellow Lichen, were growing upon die trees, likewise the curious parasitical plant, 193 which I mentioned before, as being probably a species of Viscum, was seen on the Pinus Banksiana. At the junction of the Assinaboyne with the Red-Deer River, I was first gratified with a sight of the Rocky Mountain sheep. At this season their flesh is excellent, superior, in my opinion, to the best English mutton. After they have been once disturbed, they become so shy and vigilant, that it is difficult to ap- proach them, taking refuge in the inaccessible pi'ecipices, but coming down to the grassy hills to feed, where the hunters frequently surprise them. Our route now lay along the Assinaboyne River, and we proceeded slowly, encamping at every 15 or 20 miles, and often remaining two or three days in the same spot, for the sake of huntino^. The following is the circumstance which hindered our reaching the Smoking River. The hunter whom I had engaged was accompanied by his brother-in-law, an Iroquois Indian, whose wife was taken in labour. According to the custom of these tribes, the woman quitted the tent in which she had lodged, until she should be delivered, and owing to the extreme severity of the weather, the ground being covered with snow, and the mercury indicating 38 degrees below zero, both the mother and her infant perished. The despondency which this event excited in the minds of the survivors, was so deep, that ten or fifteen days elapsed before they could be induced to quit the spot. The snow, during this interval, was gradually increasing, so that the only places which I could investigate were the per- pendicular sides of banks and rocks; for the trees, being chiefly of the fir tribe, produce but very few lichens. Here I observed Dufourea arctica^ Tortula brevifoUa, and Dicranum latifolium. It was the beginning of December before the hunter could be prevailed on to overcome his grief so far as to resume his occupation. We had ascended the Assina- boyne River upwards of 100 miles, when it here takes a south-westerly course, intersecting the chain of the Rocky Mountains almost exactly across. Tiie snow had become so deep, that the horses could proceed no fardier in that direction, and we were, in consequence, compelled to o 2 194 abandon altogether our hope of reaching the estabhshment on the Smoking River for this season. We therefore altered our route, keeping outside the mountains, and reached Baptiste River, so named after my hunter, who was in the habit of wintering there occasionally. This river falls into Red-Deer River, but it was the 1st of January, 1826, before we reached the station where we proposed to pass the winter. On the sandstone rocks of Baptiste River, I met with Gym- nostomum pusilliim and JVeissia Seligeri. The spot which the hunter had selected was an extensive plain, abounding in dicarf Willows and Betula glandtdosa ; and the burnt woods which covered the coimtry around afforded good grass for the horses, of which we had a large band, and sheltered also the American Elk or Moose Deer, and the Wood Buffalo, which choose those burnt woods as their favourite resort. These animals, if frequently disturbed, will quit the place, and we now found this to be the case; for our hunter, though considered one of the most expert shots in the country, found it difficult to procure enough for our supply, and was often obliged to travel for eight or ten days without seeing one of these creatures. As we were now likely to remain stationary for a short time, I set about building myself a brushwood hut, formed of the boughs of the JVhite Spruce, and soon completed it. I had calculated upon being able to procure a good many specimens of birds during the winter, but here too I was disappointed, for most of them quit this country during the hard weather, and a very few kinds only remain, chiefly belonging to the genera Tetrao, Picus, Stryx, Corvus, &c. Among them I remarked two species of Parus, and the Lesser Redpoll. It is difficult to understand how these little creatures can resist the severity of cold in these high latitudes. A slight shower of rain fell about the 10th of January, which is a very rare phenomenon at this time of year; and it caused us great inconvenience, by moistening the surface of the snow for a few inches, when the succeeding night's frost formed it into a hard crust, by which travelling was rendered very laborious and difficult, and it became almost impossible to get near any animal, owing to the noise 195 made in walking, by the breaking of the crust. At this time, January 10th, the snow was about two feet deep, and it gradually increased till the 27th of March, its greatest average depth being from five to six feet. Our liorses began to suiFer considerably from the unusual severity of the winter : the hunters lost the whole of the young ones of the preceding year, and one which I had received from the Company died also. The animals of all kinds were becoming more and more scarce, so that my hunter resolved upon leaving this spot, and accordingly removed 80 or 100 miles farther down the river, but I preferred remaining where I was, though my situation became very lonel}^, being deprived of books or any source of amusement. When the weather permitted, I generally took a walk, to habituate myself to the use of snow shoes, but I added very little to my collections. The hunter returned about the beginning of March, bringing with him some venison, which proved a very acceptable supply, as the Partridges, Tetrao canadensis, and T. rupestris, the only game to be met with in my short rambles, were becoming difficult to be obtained. Nothing particular occui'red until the 1st of April, when I determined upon going back to the Portage, in hopes of receiving letters from Captain Franklin or from home, as well as for the purpose of procuring specimens of the waterfowl which might then be expected to return to the many lakes in the vicinity. I left Baptiste River, accordingly, accompanied by the Indian who took charge of my horses, and carrying with me the few specimens of plants and birds that I had been able to obtain. In six days we reached Jas- per's House, the distance in a direct line being from 150 to 200 miles, which was the greatest journey I had ever yet performed in snow shoes. On the 9th I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. M'Millan, who brought me, from Edmonton House, my tent, another supply of paper, and a little tea and sugar, by which my situation was rendered comparatively comfortable. The winter, he assured me, had been remarkably severe, and vegetation was a full month later than usual. The ducks and geese now began to return, so that my time was fully 196 occupied till the 6th of May, when the brigade arrived, having crossed the Rocky Mountains from the Columbia River. They found me encamped near a small lake, about half-way between Jasper's House and the commencement of the Portage, living upon IVhite Fish, which, though small, are of an excellent quality, and which I did not observe in any other lake among the Rocky Mountains. I agreed to accompany the brigade as far as Jasper's House, and ac- cordingly set out with them on horseback. Having crossed the Assinaboyne River, the party halted to breakfast, and I went on before them for a few miles, to procure specimens of a Jungermannia, which I had previously observed in a small rivulet on our track. On this occasion I had a narrow escape from the jaws of a grisly bear; for, while passing through a small open glade, intent upon discovering the moss of which I was in search, I was surprised by hearing a sudden rush and then a harsh growl, just behind me; and on looking round, I beheld a large bear approaching towards me, and two young ones making off in a contrary direction as fast as possible. My astonishment was great, for I had not calculated upon seeing these animals so eai'ly in the season, and this was the first I had met with. She halted within two or three yards of me, growling and rearing her- self on her hind feet, then suddenly wheeled about, and went off in the direction the young ones had taken, probably to ascertain whether they were safe. During this momentary absence, I drew from my gun the small shot with which I had been firing at ducks during the morning, and which, I was well aware, would avail me nothing against so large and powerful a creature, and replaced it with ball. The bear, meanwhile, had advanced and retreated two or three times, apparently more furious than ever; halting at each interval within a shorter and shorter distance of me, always raising herself on her hind legs, and growling a horrible defiance, and at length approaching to within the length of my gun from me. Now was my time to fire : but judge of my alarm and mortification, when I found that my gun would not go off! The morning had been wet, and the damp liad 197 communicated to the powder. My only resource was to plant myself firm and stationary, in the hope of disabling the bear by a blow on her head with the butt end of my gun, when she should throw herself on me to seize me. She had gone and returned ten or a dozen times, her rage apparently increasing with her additional confidence, and I momentarily expected to find myself in her gripe, when the dogs belong- ing to the brigade made their appearance, but on beholding the bear they fled with all possible speed. The horsemen were just behind, but such was the surprise and alarm of the whole party, that though there were several hunters and at least half-a-dozen guns among them, the bear made her escape unhurt, passing one of the horsemen, (whose gun, like mine, missed fire,) and apparently intimidated by the number of the party. For the future, I took care to keep my gun in better order, but I found, by future experience, that the best mode of getting rid of the bears when attacked by them, was to rattle my vasculum, or specimen box, when they imme- diately decamp. This is the animal described by Lewis and Clark in their Travels on the Missouri, and so much dreaded by the Indians. My adventure with the bear did not, how- ever, prevent my accomplishing the collecting of the Junger- maimia. It is No. 17 of the " American Mosses." On the 7th of May, I found the first plant in flower, namely, the Anemone Nuttalliana ; the A. borealis and Saxi- fraga oppositifoUa soon followed, with Alyssum arerwsum and A. arcticum, some species of Draba and Carex, &c. Among the mosses, I must not omit Neckera Menziesii, Didymodon latifoliiim, D. ohlongifoUum, and Weissia macro- carpa, (the two latter growing on slate,) Funaria Muhlen- bergii, Hypnum Halleriy and, though very sparingly, Spfach- num rubrum, and S. luteum. Immediately upon arriving at Jasper's House, I had despatched the Indian who took charge of my horses back to Baptiste River, there to take care of them until the season was sufficiently advanced to allow of their travelling. He arrived on the 17th, bringing the animals and the paper, &c. which I had left thei-e, and charged also with the 198 unwelcome intelligence, that the hunter with whom I had spent the winter, and whom I had engaged to accompany me to the Rocky Mountains in the summer, had, with that fickle- ness which is characteristic of most Indians, changed his mind, and refused to go to the mountains this season. This circumstance caused me much uneasiness, and I had no other remedy but to remain with the old Canadian who had charge of the Company's horses for the Portage ; and as he had only stated places where his animals could find pastur- age, I was much more confined in my range than I should otherwise have been. Although I might possibly have killed as much game as was necessary for my own use and that of the person who kept the horses, yet the time which this would have occupied would have left me but little leisure for any other employment. We remained in the vicinity of Jasper's House, until the 15th of June, making collections of all that the country afforded. The species olPotentilla and Ranunculus, which are numerous among the Rocky Mountains, were now coming into flower. Arbutus alpina, Dryas tenella, &c. were also in bloom, and the beautiful Calypso borealis ornamented the pine woods. On leaving Jasper's House, we skirted along the mountains to the north, halting occasionally for a day or two, until we reached the Lac-la- Pierre, a distance of per- haps 60 miles in a straight line. This lake is surrounded by what I have called secondary rocks, covered with vegetation, which was advancing rapidly, so that I had my hands com- pletely full of employment, but I had now to encounter a formidable obstacle, and one of which I had formed very inadequate ideas, in the rise of the waters, caused by the melting of the snows. The smallest ravine, that had been dry for nine months of the year, becomes, under these cir- cumstances, an impassable torrent. The larger rivers are flooded in proportion. A fall of the temperature certainly occasions a corresponding diminution of the waters, but these transitions are so sudden, that it is dangerous to trust to them, as I experienced more than once, when having suc- ceeded in crossing a stream in the morning, I found it so 199 swollen on my return, that I was compelled to remain for days a prisoner on the other side, to the great hindrance of my plans, and injury of the plants collected. This difficulty could not be avoided but by having two or three men and a skin canoe. Many of the plants that grow here are very local, apparently often confined to one particular mountain or valley, and I am quite confident that if any one could penetrate farther into the interior than it was in my power to do, they would be amply repaid for the fatigue thereby incurred. It might be easily managed by carrying a suf- ficient quantity of Pemmican, made previously, or obtained from the flesh of the animals that occur here, and thus reaching the Height of Land before the melting of the snow. As an instance of the exclusive locality of some plants, I may mention what I observed in a small plain, surrounded by mountains, and situated about 30 miles west from Lac-la- Pierre, and called by the hunters the Wolf Plain. Here I gathered Claytonia lanceolata, Anemone patens, a large species of Valeriana, Spergula saginoides, Veronica officinalis. Ciner- aria ? Tussilago frigida, Lupinus perennis, and new species of the genera Ranuncidus, Caltha, Trollius, Potentilla, &c. &c. ; most of these were in the greatest abundance, and scarcely observed anywhere else during my route. Splachnwm urceo- latum and sphcericum also grew there, and Neph7'oma polaris. Among the mosses which I saw in the vicinity of Jasper's House, were Phascum cuspidatum, Gymnostomum Heimii, Weissia latifoUa, Systylium splachnoides, Tayloria splach- noides, &c. The effects of the unusually cold winter were now ob- servable in the excessive emaciation of the animals, which were reduced to skin and bone. All vegetation was ex- tremely backward, and according to the assertion of the old Canadian, who had been resident for many years among the Rocky Mountains, the waters were higher than they had been for twenty years. To conclude, the mosquitoes were also dreadfully numerous, owing to the almost continual rain ; for in dry weather, when the atmosphere is clear and frosty at night, these insects are much diminished in quantity. We 200 remained in the vicinity of Lac-la- Pierre, making excursions for 15 or 20 miles around, and then left the camp, and pitched our tent at Grande Saline^ about 20 miles south-west of our last station. Here are a great number of salt springs ; but I observed little that was peculiar in the vegetation. At this spot only I found Splachnu7n heterophyllum, and at about a day's ride, 60 miles west of this place, I first met with Veratrum viride, and several species of Potentilla and Ran- unculus that I had not previously seen. About the 20th of July, we began to retrace our journey, as the Canadian had received orders to have his horses in readiness at Jasper's House by the 24th, as the Governor of the Hudson's Bay Company was expected to cross to the Columbia at this time. I therefore determined to return at the same period, hoping to be able to cross by the assistance of the Governor ; but other arrangements having been effected, he did not arrive. After waiting for ten or twelve days in fruitless expectation, I was compelled to give up the scheme, as the waters were too high to be passed without the assistance of canoes, &c. Having here fallen in with several Indians, who had assem- bled to receive ammunition, &c. from the Governor, I en- gaged one of them to accompany me in a tour through the Rocky Mountains to the north, as far as the sources of Peau River. After depositing the specimens I had collected at Jasper's House, we again set off, taking Lac-la- Pierre in our route, for the purpose of obtaining the seeds of those plants which I had already observed there. Here we staid for a few days, in order to lay in provisions for our journey, but were vei'y unsuccessful, only killing a single Rocky Mountain sheep, which was quickly devoured, as my hunter's family consisted of his wife, five children, and himself, besides me, and the person that took charge of my horses. We there- fore determined upon proceeding, and of depending upon what we should meet with on the route, which proved very inadequate to our demands ; however, we contrived to make shift, until we reached the Smoking River, one of the branches of Peau River, where we again met with some of the mountain sheep, and succeeded in killing a few, which 201 put a close to our state of comparative starvation. The Smoking River is about 200 miles, in a direct line, from Jasper's House. Here I first found Rhododendron lapponi- cutn, Mitella cordifolia, and a new species ? Woodsia hyper- borea, a new Caltha, a species of Trollius, &c., Conostomnm boreale, Hypnum confervoideum, Eriophorum capitatum, and several other rare species. Between Providence and Smok- ing River, we passed a chain of beautiful green grassy hills, much frequented by the buffaloes. This journey was not, on the whole, very productive. I found Menziesia empetrifolia and M. globulains, both in great abundance, also a new species of Menziesia with white flowers, two species of Be- faria, Ruhus stellatus, a Mimuclus like Lewisii, Veratrum viride, a small shrub with fine flavoured fruit, which also grew on the Height of Land, Juncus biglumis and arcuatuSy and a new species, and Tiarella cordifolia. All the hills in this neighbourhood are covered with Andromeda tetragona. We had a considerable fall of snow on the 24th of August, which only partially left the ground afterwards, continuing to linger on the high spots, and it much impeded my opera- tions. I remained here until the latter part of September, causing pemmican to be made of the buffaloes' flesh, which my hunter killed, with the intention of carrying it to the Columbia, where I hoped to spend the winter among the mountains; but letters that I received from Captain Franklin obliged me to alter my plans, and the frequency of snow showers compelled me to return to the Portage by a different route from that which I had jiursued in going. One of my principal objects in visiting Providence had been to obtain specimens of the Mouton blanc, a kind of goat, but though I devoted several days exclusively to that pursuit, 1 had not the satisfaction of seeing one ; although in some seasons of the year they are said to be plentiful. Little occurred worthy of remark on my return to Edmonton House, where I busied myself in gathering seeds of the plants I had formerly col- lected. Now, however, I determined upon crossing the Portage, with the Columbia brigade, as I had formed a strong idea 202 that the vegetation would change considerably in its charac- ter, after passing the Height of Land. This surmise I found to be correct, as may be seen from the habitats affixed to the specimens from the Rocky Mountains. About 15 or 20 miles above the commencement of the Portage, we left the main branch of Red-Deer River, and followed a lesser stream that here joins it, winding along its banks, and not unfrequently scrambling in the bed of it, until we reached a small lake where it takes its source, and the Height of Land. The lake is not more than 200 yards in length, and is called the Committee's Punch Bowl. Out of its other extremity flows one of the tributary streams of the Columbia. On reaching the middle, I took a hearty draught, pleasing myself with the thought that some of the water I had tasted might have flowed either to the Frozen or Pacific Oceans. I observed little change in the vegetation until within ten or a dozen miles of this lake : the trees were gradually di- minishing in size, and, on the sides of the high ground, reduced to mere bushes, principally JHiite Spruce and Balsam Poplar. I may enumerate a few of the plants, as far as I am able to do so from recollection. A Saxifraga like S. trijida, but with the foliage simple ; another resembling multijida, the leaves much divided, with creeping shoots. S. leucanthemifolia ? entirely viviparous ; another species with nearly round foliage, and also viviparous ; another plant be- longing to this order, with oblongo-ovate leaves, approaching in habit S. umhrosa, but having the leaves distichous, and white underneath ; a small plant, growing in spongy places, like an Hippuris, about two inches high ; a diminutive creep- ing plant, exactly similar to AnagalUs tenella, of which I preserved no specimens ; a low procumbent shrub, with cor- date foliage, and bearing very fine flavoured red berries ; a hexandrous plant, probably a Fritillaria, only the stem and seed-vessels remaining, of which seeds were brought home, but I am ignorant whether they have vegetated, &c. The following mosses also occurred : Dicranum Starkii, Trichos- tamtwi patens, T. sudeticum, T. aciculare, and T. lanuginosum ; Hypnum molle, H. stramhieum, Bryum Zierii, and a species 203 named by Dr. Hooker B. Schleicheri, which grows in the stream that falls into the Columbia, at its very eflux from the lake. When it is considered that we visited this place in the middle of October, and during a violent snow storm, which had already covered the ground to a depth of several inches, we may form some idea of what might be expected to be the productions of this country, lying at the very foot of the Rocky Mountains, during fine weather, and at an earlier season of the year, when so many peculiar plants were still observable, although I was obliged to keep up with the brigade, and we proceeded as quickly as possible. At the time of my return, the snow was so deep as to preclude the possibility of finding any thing. The first glacier I saw, was about twenty miles before reaching the lake ; but I visited a very large one at ten miles nearer to the lake. I found the trees, or rather bushes, of IVJiite Spruce and Balsam Poplar^ growing almost close to the ice. The only thing that repaid me for the trouble was a patch of Trichostomum lanuginosum, the only one I met with during the journey. To the plants I have already named, may be added Tiarella trifoliata^ T. cordifolia, and T. Menziesii, a species of Spiraa, Vaccinium hispidulum, Gaultheria serpyllifolia, and another Vaccinium allied to V. Myrtillus ; none of these, however, were in flower. Amongst the CryptogamicB, I also found here Adiantnm pe- datum, and Aspidiiim Lonchitis ; Pohjtrichum pallidisetum, var., Grimmia torquata, a nondescript Didymodon, and doubtless many more which have escaped my memory, and which, with those enumerated, were scarcely seen any where else. When the lake is passed, you descend rather gently for about eight or ten miles, with a similar vegetation to that of the eastern side; but when the summit of the Great Hill, or Grand Cote, a few miles beyond the Height of Land, is attained, the change becomes most striking. Instead of the stunted miserable looking Balsam and llliite Spruce which grow on the eastern side, the Pinus Strohus and P. canadensis, with Thuja occidentalism and several other trees, increasing in variety as you descend, and often attaining an enormous size, present themselves to view, their branches also covered 204 with Sticta pubnonacea, and Cetraria glauca, enhancing ma- terially the novelty of their appearance. Here also I found a most troublesome kind of Aralia, the A. erinacea^ Hook, in great abundance ; also Menziesiaferruginea, and a large species ofSpircea, allied to S. Arimcus ; two or three different Uvularice; a species oi Dracana^ bearing only one berry of a blue colour; Pyrola umhellata, a very singular and new kind of umbelli- ferous plant; Lycopodium Selago, var., Hypnum rohustiim^ (Hooker;) H. vagans, tenax^ and loreum ; Dicranum hetero- mallum^ and D. crispum ; Polytrichum alpinum^ urnigerumy and undulatum, &c. The " Grande Cote" is of very steep and difficult descent for two or three miles. Upon reaching the base, we came upon Portage River, which has its rise in the lake called the Committee's Punch Bowl, and which, running through a small and narrow valley, perhaps 20 miles long, finally falls into the Columbia River. The stream is very winding, and it is necessary to cross it in many places, which, at this season of the year, was a very unpleasant operation, the water being often as high as a man's middle. The track leaves the river in two places, where the valley is quite filled with the current, or intercepted with rocks, and traverses the points of two woods, in which I observed Pothos fcetida^ which had not occurred since leaving New York, and, for the first time, Mahonia pinnata, and a shrub resembling Box- wood ; two or three species of Vaccinium unknown to me, and growing two or three feet high, with large but not very well flavoured fruit; a species of Noli-me-tangere ; Circcea alpina; Lycopodium Selago ; Aspidium Lonchitis, acideatum, and Phcegopteris ; on rocks opposite the first wooded point, were Hypnum necheroides^ Bryum hornum, Weissia acutely (likewise found on the Height of Land,) Bartramia Halleriana, Di- cranum pellucidum ; and on stones in the river, that most curious moss, Scouleria aquatica (of Hooker, in No. I. of the present work, t. 19,) while the "battures," or gravelly banks, left bare by the receding of the streams, were covered with Dicranum julaceum, D. pellucidum, &c. We reached the Boat Encampment on the Columbia, the 17th of October. On the following day, the bl-igade pursued their voyage, and 205 I began to prepare for re-crossing the Rocky Mountains. I observed little that was interesting or peculiar in the vege- tation about the Columbia. All the plants were out of flower, and most of them, indeed, in a state of decay. It was with much regret that I began to retrace my steps back to Jasper's House, with the person in charge of the horses; and till our arrival at the commencement of the Portage, the weather continued wet and stormy, the Height of Land being deeply covered with snow, so that my collections received no additions. On my journey, I met with Mr. Finnan M'Donald, a gentleman who had been for upwards of twenty years in the Company's service, to the west of the mountains. From him I received much information relative to the dis- tricts south of the Columbia, which had been explored by himself only, and also an account of the enormous pine tree found in the Umpquha country, and of a tree smelling like Laurus Camphora, both, I understand, since introduced into Britain by Mr. D. Douglas. We arrived at Jasper's House on the 30th of October, and spent ten or fifteen days there in making arrangements for descending the river from Fort Assinaboyne, and in exploring the adjacent country. The most interesting object that I saw, was a species of Pimis, whose jreneral habit bore a considerable resemblance to Pinus Strobus : the cones are about double the size of those of P. sylvestris, but blunter at the apex, and with seeds very large in proportion to the cone. The squirrels, or some bird, had devoured the greater part of them, and mutilated the re- mainder. Of this tree, I observed but very few individuals, and these were confined to the very highest parts of the secondary mountains, such as near the glacier which I visited at the Height of Land. Pinus taxifolia is common here, and attains a larger circumference at the base than any other species which occurs on the eastern side of the Rocky Moun- tains. Its shape resembles a sugar loaf, tapering very quickly to the top. The bark is remarkably thick and rough near the root, and is frequently covered with Orthotricum ohtusi- foliwn, and with a fine yellow Lichen^ with brownisli black shields, which the natives of this country use for dyeing. Its 206 cones resemble those of the Spruce Fir, but are rather smaller. The seeds are furnished with remarkably long wings, which protrude half-an-inch beyond every scale, giving the cones a very singular appearance. There is also in this vicinity a species of Rubus, resembling R. odoratus^ but having white flowers, and a large and very insipid fruit; and the Aster exscapus, so called by Dr. Richardson, abounds here. It has a very singular habit, little like that of the genus Aster ; the flower buds are formed in Autumn, and bear an exact similarity to those of Globularia vulgaris. I watched it long, with great interest, expecting it to produce something very handsome, but found the blossoms remarkably insignificant, the rays being small and nearly white. Erigeron compositum is plentiful, and a very pretty little Astragalus, which I saw no where else : also Cryptogramma acrostichoides, Pteris gra- cilis, and a species (?) of Nephrodium, with the fronds whitish beneath. Having accomplished our preparations, I embarked my stock of specimens, and, with Mr. M'Donald and his family, began to descend the river. The winter had set in with all its rigour ; the cold became severe, the river had subsided greatly, and being choked with snow, and full of rapids and shallows, we found great difficulty in proceeding, being often obliged to quit the boat and lift her over the stones. We, however, continued to drift along with the stream for a few days; but our boat was so large and heavy that she fre- quently struck against the shallows, and we were almost worn out with fatigue, with our being continually obliged to jump into the half frozen water to endeavour to force her along. Mr. M 'Donald's legs were much cut and bruised with the floating ice, and I, who kept on my stockings to avoid this misfortune, suffered on the other hand with frost, which rendered my wet clothes a most painful encumbrance. The ice and snow now became so intense and heavy, that though we had calculated on reaching Fort Assinaboyne before the river became wholly impassable, we found our- selves unable to proceed, and stuck fast on the seventh day, when not more than half-way on our voyage. As Mr. 207 M'Donald's family were incapable of travelling, he agreed to encamp and remain with the luggage, while a clerk belono-ino- to the Company and myself prosecuted our journey on foot to Fort Assinaboyne, whence we were to send horses to his assistance. We had calculated on reaching this place in three days, but it was the fifth evening before we arrived, having, however, met with no other hindrance than the unavoidable hardships of such a journey. On the way I re- marked the Scheuchzeria palustris growing in a small lake, its seed-vessels only appearing above the ice. I met with this plant in no other situation. We received much kind- ness, on our arrival, from Mr. Harriot, the gentleman who has the charge of the Fort, who also sent horses, as soon as they could be procured, to the relief of Mr. M 'Don aid, who had suffered great anxiety from the delay occasioned by our long journey, and whose provisions were nearly exhausted. He reached us, happily, about the 1st of December, bringing with him the whole of the luggage in good order. After resting here for a few days, we prosecuted our journey to Edmonton House, where we intended to winter, and got there about the middle of December, being most kindly welcomed by J. Rowand, Esq. Superintendant of the Fort. I immediately applied myself to the examination and arrange- ment of my specimens, which, it gave me much pleasure to find, were in excellent preservation, and as I now considered the most hazardous part of the expedition to be over, I spent the three succeeding months in comparative ease and com- fort. In the beginning of February, I received the agreeable intelligence from Dr. Richardson of the complete success of his undertaking, and that he expected to be at Carlton House in February, where he desired me to join him as soon as convenient. Accordingly, I quitted Edmonton House in the middle of March, taking with me a single specimen of every plant gathered among the Rocky Mountains; also a train of dogs, and a half-bred and Indian guide. Owing to some misunderstanding between the Hudson's Bay Company and the Indians of the plains, it was considered unsafe to pursue the usual track between the Posts, which very much VOL. I. P 208 lenathened our route and caused us considerable inconveni- ence. We proceeded for a few days along the river, and then struck into the wooded country north of the Saskatcha- wan, to avoid encountering the hostile tribes. We shortly began to feel symptoms of snow blindness, which consider- ably retarded our progress, and although we had a sufficient supply of provisions for this journey in usual cases, we still found our stores considerably diminishing. The blindness became worse, and although we fired at several animals, we did not succeed in killino: any. To add to our distresses, we now discovered that we had gone too far into the woods, by which the distance that we had to traverse was much in- creased. Our dogs became excessively fatigued, so that we were under the necessity of cutting up our sledge and carry- ing the luggage ourselves. The provisions were wholly spent, and I was compelled to destroy a fine specimen of the Jumping Deer, as I have before mentioned, although it was the only one we had been able to procure, and I had carried it all the way from the Columbia River, where I had killed it. As I had not been very particular in divesting this skin of the flesh, it proved the more valuable on that account. Our ignorance of the actual distance which lay between us and the Fort, prevented the Indians from desponding, for we expected to reach it every succeeding night; but we grew weak with exhaustion, and proceeded, therefore, but the more and more slowly. Within about a day's journey of the Fort, the half-bred Indian recognised the spot where we were, and we had the good fortune to kill a Skiink, an animal which I have omitted to mention in my former list, and which afforded us a comfortable meal. This creature, when hunted, discharges an intolerably fetid liquor upon its pursuers, and few dogs will afterwards attempt to destroy it. The one which we killed on the evening before we reached the Fort, proved tolerable eating, though it had a strong flavour of this obnoxious liquid. The distance being now so inconsiderable, I laid down my luggage, and we made our way to the Fort as quickly as possible. You may judge of my happiness at being first met on my approach by Dr. 209 Richardson, who had been looking for us some time, and had become very uneasy at our delay. I immediately ex- perienced the hospitality of P. Prudens, Esq. Superintendant of the Fort, and I may safely say that I did justice to it; for after having more than once despatched all the victuals set before me, my voracity induced Dr. Richardson to inquire how long I had fasted, a question which I evaded for some time, under apprehension that he would use his authority to prevent tlie bad consequences which sometimes result from repletion after a long fast; however, I am happy to say that no uncomfortable effects ensued, and after a night's rest, I was almost fit for another journey. It was on the 5th of April that I arrived, and immediately set about gathering specimens of the different birds and animals found in the neighbourhood of Carlton House. Having previously enumerated, so far as I could, the most remarkable plants, I shall now mention a few of the animals and birds that came under my observation. The one that claims the first attention is the Rocky Mountain Sheep^ the animal called " Big Horn" by Lewis and Clark. In size it rather exceeds the largest English varieties of the common sheep. The rams are very remarkable for their immense and heavy horns, which turn round so as to form a volution and a half; and when this is the case, I have been assured that they often prove fatal to the animal, their points coming in contact with the ground, and preventing them from browsing. The female has small curved horns, like the common goat. Instead of wool, these sheep have hair like the moose deer. They are a timid inoffensive animal, herding in small flocks, and, on the approach of a dog, be- taking themselves to some rocky precipice, whither the enemy cannot follow them ; they then become an easy prey to the hunter, who may shoot them at his leisure. The female brings forth one and sometimes two young at a time, and hides them in some inaccessible place, where she visits them once or twice a-day, to give them suck, till they are strong enough to shift for themselves. They prefer the bare grassy mountains where there are steep rocks, to wliich they p 2 210 may retreat in case of alarm, in winter descending lower, but never quitting the mountains. There is a kind of earth met with among slate-rocks, of which these sheep are remarkably fond ; it is probably impregnated with salt, and by digging it out, they form caves of a considerable size. I have been repeatedly startled, when creeping along a narrow ledge of rock, to find a whole flock of them thus engaged ; and as it sometimes happens that such spots are accessible only by one path, it is necessary to retreat as quickly as possible, or run the risk of being thrown down by them and dashed over the precipice. They appear to be tenacious of life, as they frequently make good their escape after being severely wounded. Their flesh is excellent, exactly resembling, both in appearance and flavour, the best English mutton. The IVhite Sheepi which I mentioned before as having fruitlessly endeavoured to obtain, is another very interesting creature, and peculiar to the Rocky Mountains. It is said to resemble the common goat in every respect, except having a fine and beautiful wool intermixed among the hair, particularly along the back and buttocks. I have seen the skins of this animal, but was not so fortunate as to procure a good specimen. Although one of my main objects in going to the mountains north of the Smoking River, was to obtain the llliite Sheep, none were to be found, though at times they frequent that neighbourhood in considerable numbers. The bears next claim our notice : and first, the Grisly Bear. As I have already mentioned the only instance of my being attacked by them, I have only to add that they are a very formidable creature, from their great size and strength, being said to prove an overmatch for every other animal inhabiting these regions, not excepting the BufFaloe. They are abundant about the Rocky Mountains, differing much in colour, varying from a light grey to a dark chocolate hue; the last kind beinrj said to be more ferocious than the others. They abound among the mountains north of the Smoking River. Except in the first instance, I always found the bears disposed to retreat as fast as possible, without offering the least affront; and as I was but indifferently armed, 211 carrying only a single-barrelled gun, I considered it the safest plan to follow their example ; particularly as there are generally two or more of these creatures in company. I therefore contented myself with procuring two fine specimens of their heads, my means of conveyance being altogether inadequate to the carrying a whole skin ; but I was so un- lucky as to lose one of these heads, which a Wolverine carried away while it was drying. The flesh is very bad eating, the very dogs refusing to touch it. Their food con- sists of flesh, berries, and roots: the berries of the Hippophae canadensis have a very obvious effect upon them, acting as a strong cathartic. They lie dormant for a few months in the depth of winter, and when they retire to their hiding-places, generally under a fallen tree, or some similar situation, they are extremely fat, and even when they first sally out, are in good condition, which, however, they soon lose. I saw several m.iserable objects, (proofs of their prowess,) at the various establishments of the Company, but as I have already detailed the particulars to Dr. Richardson, it will be un- necessary here to repeat them. The Black Bear is also an inhabitant of these mountains, but it is a much less for- midable animal than the grisly bear. These are likewise subject to great variety of colour, and I have seen the skin of one nearly white, at least cream coloured; there is also a kind with a reddish snout, which the hunters consider the most ferocious, but they seldom or ever attack man, unless wounded, or when defending their young. Their food ap- pears to consist principally of roots, and their flesh is tolerably good food, as I often had occasion to experience, the paws being considered a great delicacy by the Indians, who hunt them with avidity, while they are in great fear of the grisly bear. The description of them in Lewis and Clark's Travels, appears rather overcharged; but perhaps they are more ferocious on the Missouri than they are in more northern latitudes. A species of Marmot inhabits the Rocky Mountains, of which I am sorry to say that no speci- men was obtained. It is called by the Canadians Le Siffleur, being remarkable for its whistling. I saw it occasionally, 212 but never got near enough to shoot it; it appears to be about the size of a common cat, and resembles a badger in colour. These marmots are extremely vigilant, always placing a sentinel, who watches while the rest are feeding or cutting provisions for the winter ; on being disturbed, he gives a shrill whistle, which is repeated from one to another along the whole side of the mountain which they inhabit. Their flesh is much esteemed by the natives, who take them in traps, and they are much more frequent on the western than the eastern side of the mountains." I observed them on the mountains near the Wolf's Plain, and also saw there the following little animal, Arctomys Parryi, which is abundant there, and in its manners appearing exactly to resemble those species which inhabit the plains about Carlton. Speci- mens of it were brought home. There is also another diminutive animal found among the Rocky Mountains, whose general form and appearance exactly resembles a young rabbit of five or six weeks old, having small round ears. It is probably another kind of marmot, and lives in rough stony places near the summits of the mountains. It has a weak cry, resembling that of a rabbit when hurt. Upon the approach of any one, it gives the alarm, disappearing among the stones, and soon showing itself ai^ain at a distance of fif- teen or twenty yards from its first station. They appear to make no burrows of their own, but make their way among the interstices of the stones with great celerity. They live on grass, and probably sleep during the winter. Among the birds of these regions, the Calumet Eagle is one of the scarcest. It is about the size of the common grey eagle of our mountains, and nearly of the same colour, the tail excepted, which is very beautiful, — black at both ex- tremities, and white in the middle. They are highly prized by the natives, who decorate their war bonnets and the stems of their calumets with their feathers, whence I have adopted the name. It would appear that they are very rare, as I never saw any but the one I killed. It was a very old bird, and the plumage in bad order, having been shot in the sum- mer-time, upon the summit of one of the mountains near 213 Lac-la- Pierre. Had I but the pen of M. Aiuhiboii, I could give as striking a description of it as he gives of the " Bird of Washington." Of the genus Tetrao I remarked the following species : Tetrao PhasianelluSi the one which I have already described as inhabiting the plains; T. canadensis^ which frequents pine woods ; T. Umbellus, or the White Flesher, a bird found among poplar woods, and remarkable for the curious beating that it makes with its wings, and always when seated on a fallen tree ; another species of Tetrao, nearly allied to the last, and probably only a variety of it ; T. Rich- ardsoni: — this fine bird has been thus named by M. Louis Bonaparte, in honour of Dr. Richardson ; it is the largest species that I saw, and appears to be peculiar to the Rocky Mountains; the back of the male is of an uniform dark brown, nearly black, with the breast and under part of a leaden colour, the space round the eyes, which is bare of feathers, is, in this bird, of a yellow colour. The usual station of the male, about the pairing time, is on some rocky eminence, or large stone, where he sits, swelling out his neck, spreading his tail, and repeating the cry, " Coomhe, Coombe" in the fine mornings. The hens much resemble the females of Tetrao canadensis, and are considerably smaller than the other sex. They live on berries and herbs of various kinds, and are very good eating. Of those species that turn white during winter, I saw three; they were easily distinguishable by one having the whole tail black, another has only two black feathers in it, and the other has a tail entirely white. Neither Ptarmigans nor IVillow-Grous occur among the mountains, and none of the species are migratory ; but the winter residents are few in number. The following birds were seen : seven or eight species of Wood- pecker, the Golden Winged species being the only one that migrates ; three or four different Owls ; the Common llaven^ and the Corvus canadensis, (the Uskashoan of the Indians;) this bird is very familiar, generally making its appearance wherever you may chance to encamp, attracted doubtless by the hope of finding provisions. It is very fond of the fat of meat, which it will steal, and lay up encache for a future 214 occasion. It begins to build early : I observed a pair col- lecting materials for a nest on the 18th of March, although the ground was covered at the time with five or six feet depth of snow. The Lesser Redpoll, and two species of Parus are also winter residents, which is astonishing, as the ther- mometer often sinks to 50 degrees below zero. One kind of Falcon, the Falco palumbarius, also remained all the year at the place where I first resided during the winter, on Baptiste River, about 60 or 80 miles from the Rocky Mountains: also the Snow Bunting, [Ember iza nivalis,) and a kind of Water Ouzel, very similar to the British species, but without the white breast. Those birds which are migratory, quit this part of the country about the beginning of October, and reappear in the latter end of April. One of the first to return is the JVhite Headed Eagle, and then follow the Ducks and Geese, with a whole host of small birds. The only songster is a species of Turdus, called by the Canadians the Robin ; it resembles the common thrush, except in having a reddish breast. In the spring of 1826, immense flocks of the Bohemicm or Waxen Chatterer were observed feeding on the berries of Arbutus Uva-ursi, but I do not think that they breed here, although a small flock of them was seen on the south branch of the Saskatchawan in June 1827. The snow-shoe travelling, and the mode of encamping during winter has been so frequently described, that it is quite unnecessary for me to detail them here. One of the principal inducements for fixing upon any particular situation is when it affords dry wood in abundance. The snow is then cleared away with the assistance of the snow-shoes, and trees of a large size having been felled, they are divided into lengths fit for carrying. You may then, after lighting a fire collect a parcel of pine branches, the white spruce and balsam if procurable, are the best, with which a space is covered sufficient for a bed, and proceed to prepare supper. Pemmican is the best and most convenient food to be carried upon a journey. Without a pound of this and a little tea, no one should think of travelling in these desert wilds; it affords an excellent meal, and the hunter may afterwards 215 prepare for rest by rolling round him the blanket which he always takes with him. If the fire be occasionally renewed, the weather seldom causes much inconvenience. To a person accustomed to all the luxuries a civilized country can afford, this mode of life appears hard and uninviting, but the change takes place gradually, and is therefore but little felt. It seems strange, too, to live entirely on animal food, without any vegetables or salt, but it produces no inconvenience, as I can attest from an experience of about eighteen months, when I enjoyed a state of perfect health. I found full employment in collecting the productions of the vicinity of Carlton House till the end of May, when Dr. Richardson quitted us to meet Captain Franklin at Cumber- land House : thither Captain Back and I and the rest of the Expedition followed him in the beginning of July; but during my stay at Carlton House, I made several short ex- cursions to the South Branch River, which rises considerably farther to the southward than the North Branch, but I did not find a single plant different from what are met with on the latter river. I also ascended the North Branch for upwards of a hundred miles, but saw little that was not equally common nearer to the Fort; from which circum- stances, I was induced to conclude that little variation takes place for a considerable distance to the southward. Dr. Richardson having left his servant with me, we embarked in a small canoe on the 14th of July, picking up what specimens we could find along the river, and reached Cumberland House on the morning of the 19th, quite safe. As Captain Back was not yet arrived, I determined upon making an excursion as far north as Beaver Lake, where I added a few common plants to the collection ; but as Dr. Richardson had already passed that way twice before, there was little left for me to do. I returned again to Cumberland House, and in a few days Captain Back and Lieutenant Kendall, with the rest of the people belonging to the Expedition, arrived in excellent health, and we immediately began preparing to embark for York Factory, on Hudson's Bay. As we travelled with much despatch, my collections 216 received but little accessions of any importance. Cypripedium arietinum was found on the portage of the Grand Rapids, at the entrance of Lake Winnipeg ; Weissia calcarea and Tor- tula humilis on the limestone rocks of the same lake ; Splach- num ampullaceum was growing between Norway House