MA.r>"D's " THE BOTAXIST '" 241 



to which the plant figured (Crusea rubra) belongs. This is the first 

 of a number of disquisitions on classification which raised the text of 

 The Botanist to a level unattained by any other popular magazine, 

 and were continued at frequent intervals until the conclusion of the 

 work. Dickson still remained a contributor : his initials are appended 

 tot. 148 (June, 1840). The descriptions signed by Henslow are not 

 numerous, and occur chiefly in the first volume, hut occasionally up to 

 the end: to vol. i. he also contributed figures of Gardoquia miiltifiora 

 (6), Cactus speciosiis var. (12), and Leant ice Clirysogomun (50) ; the 

 figure and description of Acacia Riceana (135), here first established, 

 are also bv him. Other contributors of descriptions were Robert 

 Graham (106, 201, 227, 238) and Frederick Westcott(218 and many 

 in vol. v.). On the wrapper of no. 31 is a full prospectus, subse- 

 quently repeated, in which the names of Henslow, Dickson, Bentham, 

 and Graham fire mentioned as helping in the work. 



In the Bentham correspondence at Kew are letters from Maund 

 (1838—11) from which may be gathered the history of Bentham's 

 connection with The Botanist. On May 8, 1838, Maund wrote in- 

 viting Bentham's cooperation, which had formed the subject of con- 

 versations of both with Dickson, and stating that, " for the description 

 of each plant, whether compiled from published authorities or original," 

 he had been accustomed to pay a guinea. Bentham apparently 

 accepted these terms, and on June 10 Maund sent him a long letter, 

 enclosing drawings and specimens : in this Dickson is referred to as 

 " a very zealous coadjutor " whose " zeal of late has overpowered his 

 physical strength." As a postscript he adds an indication of his 

 wishes ; this may be quoted as an evidence of Maund's intelligent 

 interest in the work, to which reference has already been made : — 

 " To render the descriptions &c. interesting to the general reader, I 

 shall be happy to see occasional digressions introduced — particularly 

 when any interesting physiological peculiarity can be dwelt on. 

 Peculiarities, habit, culture, &c. are objects of great interest to the 

 majority of persons. The complaint made against the old standard 

 works was their want of interest to all but the professional botanist, 

 of whom it may be said there are a few. As far as possible I like to 

 see the ])ages filled, which I doubt not you will approve — a volume of 

 half, quarter, and whole blank pages has a meagre effect when bound. 

 Dr. Dickson very kindly has indulged in the elegancies of literature 

 when science was exhausted, and this has many admirers, for I need 

 not inform you that the majority of purchasers understand it much 

 better than legitimate science." In January of the following year 

 Mavnid sent Bentham a cheque for eighteen guineas for as many 

 descriptions, of which he gives a list. 



The last of tlie letters, the Bromsgrove postmark of which is 

 14 March, 1841, shows that Bentham's application for payment for 

 work done had not been attended to, and that he had written again 

 in a manner which Maund resented — " I do not venture to treat of 

 your note in detail," he says, "as I may express myself more strongly 

 than would be pleasing to reflect on." 



JOURNAL or BoTA>'T. — VoL. 56. [August, 1918.] R 



