150 ALG OF MAURITIUS. 
fronde tenerrima angusta ramosissima, ramis distichis attenu- 
atis, ramulis alternis subulatis, racemis receptaculorum ram- 
ulis extremis alternantibus.—( Tab. CXXV.) 
Root composed of firm, branching, interwoven, cartilagin- 
ous fibres: frond 2-3 inches high, nearly a line broad at the 
and highly accomplished lady, to whom we are indebted for the collection 
here described, that, ere it was published, we should have to lament not 
only her death, but that of Mr. Telfair; which took place, the former in 
1832, the latter in the following year. The readers of our Botanical 
Miscellany need not to be informed what a serious loss science has sus- 
tained by these events—a loss which is nowhere more acutely felt than in 
the Mauritius. We extract from a Mauritius, Journal, Le Cernéen, a just 
tribute to Mr. Telfair’s merit, evidently written by one who was intimately 
acquainted with his character and pursuits. “Death has suddenly smit- 
ten one of the most eminent men in this island: Mr. Charles Telfair 
sunk, on the 14th of this month, under a disease of so violent a character, 
that a few days of acute suffering terminated his existence, baffling all 
medical aid, and even preventing him from being sensible of the approach- 
ing termination of his life. Mr. Telfair was 56 years of age. All those 
who knew him, the colonists especially, will deeply regret his death: the 
name of Telfair has long been, and will always continue to be, associated 
with the Mauritius. Originally a surgeon on board the squadron which 
blockaded our ports in 1810, he was among the very few English who 
have remained here since the change of rulers. It is no doubt owing to 
his opportunities of understanding and appreciating our manners and char- 
acter, that he was also among the still smaller number of those whose senti- 
ments towards us have not changed with circumstances. Mr. Telfair has 
filled high official situations, both in the islands of Mauritius and Bourbon. 
Government Secretary in the latter, and Private Secretary to Sir Robert 
Farquhar, in this island, he succeeded in the difficult task of reconciling a 
full performance of his own duties, with the most winning and condescend- 
ing attention towards a people who were then suffering under the misfortune 
of changing, in consequence of the fate of war, both their sovereign and 
their country. His friends were as numerous after he resigned office as 
while his influence was all-powerful. Mr. Telfair long held the post of 
Guardian of vacant Estates and Secretary to the Vice- Admiralty Court. His 
private character was adorned with the rarest qualities. Great disinterested- 
ness, extreme confidence and boundless generosity have rendered him too 
careless of his own interest, and occasioned his affairs to be left in some 
confusion : although the precautions which he had himself adopted, secure 
the safety of the public funds with which he was intrusted. 
* It is eminently by his ardent attachment to the sciences, and especially 
