BOTANICAL INFORMATION. 501 
syrup, and the fluid, smelling of alcohol, was proved to con- 
tain that substance. The cider therefore consists of 
Sugar, 
Acetic acid, 
Water, 
Alcohol, 
besides a small quantity of albuminous substance, coagulated 
by heat, and which probably acted as the ferment in convert- 
ing the sugar first into alcohol, and then into acetic acid. 
J. D. Hookkn. 
Journal of a Boranicat Mission fo the West Inp1Es in 
1843-4, by WirriAM Purvis, Collector for the Royal 
Botanic Gardens of Kew. 
Monday, April 17th, 1843, I left Falmouth, in the royal 
mail steam-ship, Forth, with fine weather, and reached 
Corunna at six o'clock, A.w., on the 20th. This town is 
prettily situated on one wing of the harbour, which is termi- 
nated by the Fortress. The country around Corunna is 
much undulated, but presents a barren appearance, a few 
stunted trees of Pinus sylvestris, scattered over the moun- 
tains, being all that could aspire to the title of a tree. A 
species of Bartsia, Cotyledon umbilicus (on every wall), three 
Species of Anagallis, just expanding their flowers to the 
morning sun, several species of Ranunculus, and two of 
Urtica, were the most common plants round the town. 
Nothing can exceed the wretched appearance of the inha- 
bitants of this place, lounging in groups at every corner, 
Tagged, and their countenances squalid in the extreme. An 
abundance of strawberries in the market afforded evidence 
of our southward progress. cu 
After a stay of four hours, to take in coals, we sailed for 
eira carrying with us seven of the passengers of the 
"nfortunate Solway, end reached Madeira early on the 24th. 
