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BOTANICAL INFORMATION. 817 
Plants of MADEIRA, ete. 
Mr. Nathaniel H. Mason has issued the following circular among 
his friends and the scientific public :— 
“T beg leave to inform you that I am about to visit the Azores, 
Madeira, and the Canary Islands, for the purposes of scientific research. 
I shall collect Plants, Insects, and Shells, and objects of Natural 
History generally, and shall be glad to execute any commissions, either 
for living plants (especially Ferns) to be sent to England in Ward’s 
Cases, or for dried collections. 
“Tam well acquainted with Madeira, having resided for two years 
in the Island, and I have also visited Teneriffe. I have had consider- 
able experience in collecting and preserving plants, as it has been a - 
favourite pursuit of mine for several years, so that I can promise that all 
specimens shall be of the most perfect character and preserved in the 
most careful manner. 
“Should you (or any friend) wish to avail yourself of this opportu- 
nity, I shall be happy to offer satisfactory references, as I am personally 
unknown to you. I may, however, mention the Firm in which my 
father is a partner, viz. Messrs. Bridges, Mason, and Bridges, solicitors, 
Red Lion Square. My terms for dried plants would be £2 per hundred, 
and with regard to other objects I should be open to any fair arrange- 
ment. I shall be happy to furnish you with any further particulars 
of my plans you may desire, and trust you will excuse my taking the 
liberty of bringing them under your notice. 
* May I beg the favour of an early answer, as I am anxious to start 
as soon as possible, having numerous commissions from botanists and 
men of science? I take out a dredging apparatus for Shells and Zoo- 
phytes. 
“I have the honour to be, etc., 
“Nata, H. Mason. 
* 17, Compton Terrace, Islington, Aug. 27, 1855.” 
In addition to the above, we may give the following testimonial i in 
his favour, from the pen of Dr. Lindley :— 
* Mr. Mason is well acquainted with Madeira, having vetted for 
two years in the Island, and has also visited Teneriffe. We have had 
an opportunity of seeing some of his dried plants; and it is not too 
much to say that they are among the finest that have ever been pre- 
pared ; not surpassed by even those of Bourgeau. 
* We have no doubt so favourable an opportunity of procuring 
