individuals, some of the most magnificent of these plants are still 
known to Europeans only from the dried specimens in the herbaria 
of Botanists. We allude to the noble genus Befaria, which contains 
many species more beautiful than even Rhododendron and Azalea, to 
the Thibaudias with their long tubular crimson blossoms, and to man 
species of Gaylussaccia. The finest of these plants inhabit the Cordif- 
leras of Peru, in the country of the Cinchonas ; and certainly if one 
half the sum that has been sometimes wasted in ill considered under- 
takings were applied judiciously to an expedition into this region, 
there would be no reasonable doubt of success, and the results would 
be indescribably important. We should be glad to explain our views 
more in detail to any one who might be disposed to engage in such 
an undertaking, and we cannot help anticipating that the project 
will be seriously entertained by some of those liberal and wealthy 
nobles who are indeed becoming the Mecenates of Natural History 
in Great Britain. We have been led to these remarks by the exami- 
nation of a collection of dried specimens lately sent from the Cin- 
chona country by Mr. Mathews, in which we find a larger number 
of very beautiful plants than we ever have had the good fortune to 
examine in any collection of similar extent. Among other things 
there is a most lovely plant which constitutes a new genus related to 
Thibaudia, and which, as it cannot fail before many years to find its 
way in a living state to England, we have named in compliment to 
one of the most liberal of those patrons of science whose noble actions 
render them the pride of their country as well as the surest pillars of 
their own high hereditary order. The name of Cavendish has long 
since been enrolled even in the ranks of practical science, but it shines 
forth in these later days with renewed lustre in the person of his 
Grace the present Duke of Devonshire, whose noble residence at 
Chatsworth is rapidly becoming, by the good taste and munificence 
of its present proprietor, as remarkable for richness in objects of 
Botanical importance as it has long been admirable for its extent and 
princely magnificence. 
In order that this plant may be fixed in the records of science we 
add its technical characters, with a brief description of its general 
appearance. 
CAVENDISHIA. . 
Calyx superus, campanulatus, truncatus, obsoleté quadridentatus. Corolla 
tubuloso-cylindracea, 4-dentata. Stamina 8, inclusa, basi ima corollee inserta ; 
filamentis carnosis monadelphis ; connectivis alternis hastatis auriculis rotundatis, 
alternis rhomboidalibus. Anthere muticee; loculis sulco alto exaratis, apice 
liberis et rimá dehiscentibus. Ovarium quadrangulare, 4-loculare, polyspermum. 
Stigma simplex Frutex Peruvianus, sempervirens ; gemmis magnis imbri- 
catis ; foliis laurinis; floribus speciosis, purpureis, capitatis, involucratis. 
l. Cavendishia nobilis. 
This is apparently an evergreen shrub, with broad laurel-like 
leaves and buds, which are covered over with imbricated scales, very 
much like those of a Camellia. The flowers are arranged in very 
close terminal capitate racemes, enclosed within a sort of involucre 
composed of broad ovate bracts, which are downy on the outside, 
and coloured red at the edge and in the inside. The corolla is bright 
crimson and tubular, about an inch long. Sometimes the flowers 
grow from the side of the old wood, but generally from within invo- 
lucres at the ends of the branches. 
