132 - BOTANICAL INFORMATION. 
tions on natural history, aided, as they often are, by govern- 
ment patronage and pecuniary grants; but they are far 
outvied by the taste and liberality displayed by private indi- 
viduals in our own country, as is most strikingly evinced in 
the two works now under our notice; works, which com- 
mencing nearly at the same time, we, in an early number of 
our Journal, noticed in conjunction, and now, though it 
is some time since their completion, again speak of to- 
gether; and can with truth say that no botanical publi- 
cation in this or any country boasts of more splendid 
subjects for the pencil, better executed figures, or more satis- 
factory descriptions. That of Dr. Lindley contains forty- 
nine plates of Orchidacec, and a frontispiece of other species, 
formed into a most graceful *wreath;" while. that of Mr. 
Bateman contains forty plates, together with many beautiful 
illustrations of scenery or some natural or artificial object in 
the form of vignettes, which have reference to the botanical 
figures. 
Bentuam, Botany of the Voyage of H.M.S. Sulphur, under 
the command of Capt. Sir E. Belcher, R.N., during the years 
1836-42; edited and superintended by R. B. Hinds, Esq. 
Surgeon, R.N., attached to the Expedition. 
Her Majesty’s ship Sulphur was sent out on a surveying 
voyage to the Pacific Ocean, and finally to the western shores 
of America, under the command of Captain Beechey, R.N. 
who invalided home, and was succeeded by Captain Belcher. 
The well-known taste of both these distinguished officers 
for natural history, in general, would naturally lead to the 
conclusion that botany would be encouraged on such an 
interesting voyage; and besides the services of a collector, 
Mr. Barclay, sent out by the Royal Botanic Gardens of Kew, 
two of the officers, Mr. Hinds and Dr. Sinclair, distinguished 
themselves by their ardour in pursuit of plants, and by the ob- 
servations they made on their discoveries. Many of the plants — i 
