difference between the communis, viridis, afrlcanus and 

 lividus; of which Willdenow makes as many distinct 

 species. It seems that though an annual in temperate 

 climates., it becomes a moderate- sized tree not only in tropical 

 countries, but, as was observed both by Clusius and Ray, 

 also in the southern parts of Europe. Miller thought that 

 among the annual kinds which he cultivated himself in the 

 Chelsea garden, he observed several species, which always 

 kept distinct, when raised from seed year after year. Perhaps 

 a greater attention to the stigmas and the fruit, with an 

 opportunity of proving by cultivation, how far the characters 

 are permanent, may decide otherwise ; but at present we 

 feel obliged to consider our plant as the Ricinus com- 

 munis; although the stigmas are divided quite to the base, 

 so that they might be numbered as six distinct stigmas; which 

 in Regnault's figure appear bifid at the point only. 



Of the modern figures, that of Regnault is the best. But 

 in none of those that we have seen the stigmas are represented 

 so much like those of our plant, as in the ancient one of Fuchs, 

 published nearly 300 years ago. All the other figures of the 

 older Botanists are copied from that of Dodon^eus, except 

 Besler's in the Hortus Eystettensis. 



The oil which has been so much used of late years, as an 

 efficacious, and at the same time gentle laxative, under the 

 name of Castor oil is prepared from the seeds of this plant. 



Ricinus communis is a native of both the Indies, and per- 

 haps of the south of Europe. Cultivated in England in 1548. 

 Flowers in June, July and August. Our drawing was taken 

 by Sydenham Edwards, at the Chelsea garden, several 

 years ago. 



