133 



VellosicB, their nearest relations, cover whole plains in different 

 latitudes in the interior; never in the forests. They give a 

 singular and strange character to the landscape, not to be 

 represented but by the pencil : they resemble some DracerKB. 

 The MelastomacecB are found every where, and in every situa- 

 tion. The VochisiacecB are numerous, and many are most 

 beautiful flowering-trees, and afford excellent timber; they 

 also affect various localities, as likewise do the Myrtacece. 

 The LaurinecB are numerous, particularly to the southward ; 

 but in Para are species producing the finest Cinnamon^ and a 

 kind of Nutmeg is also found there." 



OBSERVATIONS ON SOME BRITISH PLANTS, 

 PARTICULARLY WITH REFERENCE TO THE 

 ENGLISH FLORA OF SIR JAMES E, SMITH.— 

 By W. WILSON, Esq. 



[^Continued from Vol. I. p. 339.] 



14. Scirpus ccespitosus. — Cheshire, May 8, 1827. — I do 

 not find the 6 bristles at the base of the seed to be forked. 

 The stem is always slightly compressed, and strongly striated. 



15. Sc\x\i\xs pauciflorus. — Wales, June 19, 1826. — Bristles 

 with deflexed spines. The root sends out jointed runners. 

 Stems often 6 or 7 together, from the crown of each root. 



16. Scirpus fluitans. — July 4, 1828. — Stem alternately 

 branched, compressed, each branch with a sheathing leaf 

 inclosed in a 2-ribbed, membranous, ovato-lanceolate sheath, 

 at first tubular nearly throughout, but subsequently torn. 

 Seed obovate, compressed, scarcely, if at all, keeled on the 

 back, covered with a beautifully reticulated skin : embryo at 

 the base of the seed, immersed in the albumen', no bristles. 

 Style deciduous, very short; outer glumes generally, if not 

 always, abortive. 



17. Scirpus lacustris. — Anglesea, July 26, 1826. — Fruit 



