great beauty in the open border in October and November; 
but in such situations it does not ripen seed: for that 
purpose, the plants must be kept in the greenhouse, and 
treated as Balsams and similar annuals: so managed, they 
will lower from July to November. 
Is this distinct from Trachymene? Here is a question 
by no means easy to answer. If we were to judge only 
from the figure and description of Trachymene in the 
Transactions of the Linnean Society, we should reply in the 
affirmative; for it is to be understood from what we find in 
that work, that the petals are acuminate, the estivation not 
imbricated, or but slightly so, and the fruit a double, tumid, 
muricated body, without ridges ; besides which, the descrip- 
tion does not advert to any one of the most singular charac- 
teristics of the present plant. But upon examining a wild 
specimen of Trachymene incisa, and consulting M. La Gasca, 
by whom the original specimen in Mr. Rudge's Herbarium 
has been analysed, we have come to the conclusion that 
the apparent distinctions between Trachymene and the 
present plant are either unimportant or non-existent; in. 
fact, upon comparing this species with M. La Gasca's 
manuscript character of Trachymene, we do not find a 
single material point of difference. We are, therefore, re- 
luctantly compelled to abandon an opinion we at first, from 
want of sufficient materials for examination, were led to 
entertain, that this and Trachymene were distinct; an 
opinion which we the more regret that we formed, because 
we fear that the knowledge of it has tended to induce our 
learned friend M. Decandolle to come to a similar con- 
clusion in the unpublished 4th volume of his Prodromus. 
M. La Gasca allows us to take this opportunity of 
stating, that the Azorella ovata, lanceolata, and compressa 
of La Billardière, and A. linearis of Cavanilles, which are 
referred to Trachymene by Sprengel, do not properly form 
a part of that, but belong to his Fischeria, — a very distinct 
genus. 
We suspect that the fruit of this plant examined and 
described by Dr. Hooker in the Botanical Magazine, was 
In a very imperfect state, as we can find no trace of the 
vittee mentioned by our much-valued and very accurate 
friend: we.are confirmed in this opinion, because we also 
find the seed represented as loose in the pericarpium, — 4 
character which is certainly not to be seen in perfect 
fruit. CL 
