252 The Weather at Florence, 



examination as extensive and strict as that which Mr. Ba- 

 bington has applied to T. officinalis. This examination we 

 hope Mr. Babington, or some one, will give it. The species 

 probably occurs in sufficient plenty for this purpose in the 

 sandy soils of Norfolk ; we once met with plants of it in the 

 parish of Shropham, in Norfolk. It is worthy of remark, 

 that Nestler denominates the Tormentilla reptans L. Poten- 

 tilla nemoralis, and that Seringe deems it but a variety of the 

 smaller tormentil, and gives as his name for it Potentilla 

 Tormentilla var. ( s ) nemoralis ; this fact suggests that who- 

 ever may be pleased to investigate the floral variations of 

 Tormentilla reptans L. 9 should also canvass its specific dis- 

 tinctions in relation to the Tormentilla officinalis Smith. 



Potentilla reptans L.— In the nursery of Mr. Dennis, and 

 that of Mr. Knight, both of Chelsea, we have seen cultivated 

 a double-flowered variety of Potentilla reptans L. The time 

 at which it was first introduced into cultivation is, we believe, 

 three or four years ago; but where found wild we do not 

 know. Like its parent, the P. reptans itself, it increases 

 rapidly, and may be multiplied to any number, as every joint 

 of its many-jointed, numerous, decumbent stems will emit 

 roots from the side next the earth, and form a separable plant : 

 again, like P. reptans, it is very tenacious of life, and will 

 grow in almost all soils and situations. The plant is very 

 eligible and has been used for decorating rockwork, over 

 which its trailing stems, garnished with 5-fingered leaves, 

 and abundant in stalked, axillary, rich yellow blossoms, 

 pleasingly display themselves. — J. D. 



Art. XV. The Weather at Florence, By W. Spence, Esq. 



Sir, 

 Having sent you the summary of my diary of the weather 

 for the last three winters in Italy [Vol. III. p. 374., Vol. IV. 

 p. 263., Vol. V. p. 353.], it was not my intention to occupy 

 your pages farther with the subject; but the season just ended 

 has been so very remarkable for its dryness, rain having been 

 twice publicly prayed for, once in November, and again in 

 January, that I have thought it might interest some of your 

 readers to see such particulars respecting it as I have noted ; 

 which, therefore, I now transcribe ; confining my remarks 

 chiefly to the drought, and omitting all such as would be 

 nearly a repetition of those formerly given. 



I am, Sir, yours, &c. 

 Florence, April 3. 1833. W. Spence. 



