144 BOTANY OF THE 
and P. arifolium (both called here Tear-thumb, on account of the 
lacerating prickles with which they are armed), P. scandens, (this 
seems to differ little, if at all, from the P. dumetorum of Europe), 
Tricophorum cyperininum ? CEnothera biennis? Lastrea Thelyp- 
teris, Onoclea sensibilis, Osmunda cinnamomea, Lycopus Virginea, 
Lemna polyrhiza, Behmeria cylindrica; whilst in the drier spots 
on the borders of the marshes grew Polygala verticillata, Hyperi- 
cum quinquenervium, Lobelia puberula, Hypoxis erecta, Asclepias 
amena ?, with numerous other plants since found to be common 
elsewhere, but at that time imperfectly known to me. On dry 
ground near the village, 1 gathered Cenchrus tribuloides ?, Hu- 
phorbia depressa, Mollugo verticillata, Polygonum erectum (probably 
only an American variety of P. aviculare, analogous to our broad- 
leaved prostrate forms near the sea), an Amaranthus, Solanum 
nigrum var.? Virginicum, (though I know not wherein it differs 
from the normal European plant), Hragrostis vulgaris, (Poa Brag. ) 
with some others. 
Of the ligneous vegetation of the flat alluvial tract on which 
Hoboken stands, the only tree deserving notice in this place, as 
not occurring on the higher grounds, is the Sweet Gum (Liguidam- 
bar styraciflua) which grew in some abundance on the edge of 
the swamps; and though in this latitude (40? 42’) close upon their 
polar limitrophe parallel,* the trees were well-grown and healthy, | 
but inferior in bulk, as much probably owing to soil as climate, to 
that which the species attains to the southward and westward. It — 
is to be regretted that this stately tree, with its ample aromatic — 
foliage and depth of shade, is not oftener seen in England. - 
* Michaux, in his North American Sylva, asserts that the Sweet Gum terminates 
towards the north east in lat. 434 between Portsmouth and Boston; but no recent 
botanist appears to have found it within the New England States. I am told that a 
few specimens occur near Troy, New York, in lat. 423, whether indigenous there 
or planted, is doubtful. Michaux is often incorrect in his geographical position 
of places; thus the latitude of Portsmouth is only 43° 4” and that of Boston 42 21% 
hence any station between these two cities, must be considerably to the southward —— i 
. of the limitrophe parallel he assigns to the tree in question. With the Oaks I was 
at that time very imperfectly acquainted, but have since devoted considerable attention. 
to the examination and collecting the American species n stow arte 0 dene 
- to speak more particularly iu the sequel. 
