BOTANICAL INFOBMATION. 375 



w 



be filled to the great satisfaction of the respective Governors. His 

 name stands commemorated in the genus Purdiaa, a very handsome 

 Ericaceous plant, and one of his own discoveries, — figured and de- 

 scribed by Professor Planchon, in the ' London Journal of Botany/ 

 vol v. p. 250, tab. 9. 



Mr. Thwaites' s Enumeration of the Plants of Ceylon. 



Under the above title we are happy to inform the botanical world 

 that Mr. Thwaites is preparing materials, which we have reason to be- 

 lieve will very soon be published, on the plants of Ceylon, giving a 

 correct list of all the hitherto discovered species, together with generic 

 or specific characters of such as are new. We are ourselves the more 

 gratified at this, because our Journal, where Mr. Thwaites has been so 

 long accustomed to announce his many new discoveries, often accom- 

 panied by excellent figures as well as descriptions, will henceforth be 

 discontinued. In Mr. Thwaites, of the Ceylon Garden, and in Dr. 

 Mueller, of the Government Botanic Garden at Melbourne, we see the 

 advantages arising from appointing well-educated and scientific men to 

 the head of these Colonial Establishments, men too as willing as they 

 are able to undertake a 'Flora* of their respective colonies, and to de- 

 velope their vegetable resources. We can mention another step in a 

 right direction, in the filling up a vacancy of this kind in Trinidad, oc- 

 casioned by the recent death of Mr. Purdie. The choice of his Excel- 

 lency Governor Keate has fallen upon Dr. Kruger, a gentleman long 

 resident in that island, of considerable scientific attainments, and well 

 acquainted with tropical botany. 



In the case of Mr. Thwaites, he has the tact for encouraging a taste 

 for scientific pursuits in those about him. Hence it has happened that 

 Ceylon was so well represented in its vegetable products at the Great 

 Paris Exhibition of 1855; and hence it is that the museum of the 

 Koyal Gardens of Kew has been so much enriched, especially with 

 woods and fibres, etc., of that Island, from Samuel Jayeteleke, Esq., 

 Modliar. Already 216 kinds of woods, neatly prepared, have been 

 received from this obliging gentleman, and a still finer set is on its 

 way, accompanied by specimens of the plants that afford them. Such 

 a man is a real honour to his country, and is rendering great service 

 both to the cause of science and of commerce. 



