37 



India and Brazil, a strange and grotesque association, filled with 

 many recollections to the travelling botanist. The utility of such 

 undertakings is much greater in Portugal than with us, for there 

 public spirit and good example are more needed, and we trust 

 the Marquis of Fayal will fill in his country the post of the Dukes 

 of Bedford and Devonshire among ourselves. 



This establishment is also fortunate in being under the care of 

 Dr. Welwitsch, the only person we met with in Portugal who is 

 equally familiar with the theory and the practice of Botany, and 

 as well acquainted with Alga and Mosses as he is with flower- 

 ing plants. Dr. Welwitsch is also minutely versed in the Portu- 

 guese Flora, and an inspection of his herbarium shows how rich 

 that is, and how many species remain to be added to the work of 

 Brotero. Even in the class of "Ferns we were indebted to Dr. 

 Welwitsch for the Cheilanthes pteroides and Pteres palustris, 

 which are not in Brotero's list*. It is to be desired that Dr' 

 Welwitsch should furnish us with a new " Flora. Lusitanica," for 

 which he is so well qualified by his knowledge of the country, his 

 literary acquirements, and knowledge of the science. 



NOTICE OF THE LIFE AND WRITINGS OF DR. FELIX AVELLAR 

 BROTERO, PROFESSOR OF BOTANY IN THE UNIVERSITY OF 

 COIMBRA, AND AUTHOR OF THE 'FLORA LUSITANICA.' 



{Communicated by Dr. Scouler, Professor of Natural History in the Royal 

 Dublin Institution.) 



The Faculty of Philosophy of the University of Coimbra, although 

 it has not existed for more than sixty-three years, has been infe- 

 rior to no literary institution, with respect to the eminence of its 

 Professors and the reputation of its students. 



There is much to admire in the zeal with which the different 

 branches of philosophy have been cultivated among us since the 

 reform of 1772 was carried out by Drs. Vandelli and Dalla Bella. 

 Emulation arose on the part both of teachers and pupils, which 

 was attended by a corresponding progress of knowledge. The 

 Government rewarded those who distinguished themselves and 



* In the north of Portugal we found, in one day, the following plants unno- 

 ticed by Brotero ; Saxifraga umbrosa and leucantheu'iifolia (La Pcrouse), Potentilla 

 mvea, and the Davallia Canariensis, supposed to be peculiar to Cintra, grows 

 abundantly at Oporto and even further north, at Braga. 



