44 



favourable to its economy, and the peculiar structure 

 of its leaves may be designed to supply it with insects 

 whose putrescence may act as similar decompositions 

 do when applied to the roots of other plants, and the 

 innumerable insects that are drowned in the cup- 

 formed leaves of the Dipsacus Sarracenia and Nepen- 

 thes may probably serve for the same purpose. 



To this class and order belongs the Sty rax officinalis, 

 which produces the gum storax. The flower has no 

 scent, and the gum does not exude from the tree na- 

 turally, as in the Fir and Cherry-tree j but is produced 

 by means of an insect which perforates the tree to 

 lay its eggs, and the gum exudes out, presenting a 

 curious instance of the agency of nature. This tree 

 grows wild at Tivoly, near Rome, where I have seen 

 it, as if it were a native ; but it was first brought there 

 by the Emperor Adrian from the east, when he built 

 his magnificent villa, and I saw it with interest, as 

 being still a living vestige of the existence of that 

 Emperor who lived when Rome was in the zenith of 

 her glory and mistress of the world. 



CLOVE PINK. The botanical name given to 

 this plant by Linnaeus, would seem to shew that it was 

 a favourite with him : Dianthus meaning the Flower 

 of Jove. Ray and Hudson are of opinion that this 

 plant is not a native of this country ; but my friend, 

 the learned Rector of Abberly, from repeated obser- 

 vation and experience, is confident that it must be in- 

 digenous; I therefore adopt his opinion with the same 



