314 Linnean Society. [Dec. 15, 184^. 



number. Under any circumstances, however, the Flora is extremely 

 poor when compared with that of other tropical islands of equal, or 

 even of smaller, extent ; the Cape de Verd Islands, scarcely so well 

 explored, yielding upwards of 300 species on a soil quite as sterile ; 

 and the Sandwich and Society groups being very much richer, 

 although further detached from any great continent. 



Dr. Hooker next proceeds to review the Flora under three distinct 

 heads ; first with reference to the proportion borne by each of the jirin- 

 cipal Natural Orders to the whole Flora, and its relations to the Flora 

 of the neighbouring continent and of other islands somewhat similarly 

 circumstanced. Secondly, he treats of the Flora of the Galapagos 

 as divisible into two types ; the West Indian (including Panama), to 

 which the plants common to other countries and some dubious spe- 

 cies almost universally belong ; and the Mexican and temperate 

 American, or that under which the great majority of the peculiar 

 species rank. Thirdly, he notices the most singular feature in the 

 vegetation of the group, namely that the several islets are tenanted 

 for the most part by different species, many of which are, however, 

 represented by allied species in one or more of the other islets. 

 Under each of these heads Dr. Hooker enters into minute statistical 

 details, accompanied by extensive research and careful comparisons. 



Read also a " Description of a new species of Cowry." By G. B. 

 Sowerby, Esq., F.L.S. &c. &c. 



CvpRiEA VENUSTA, testa ovato- veutricosa utiaque extremitate antica prse- 

 cipue subrostiata, dorso gibboso carnicolore maculis pa'.lide castaneis 

 iiotato, lateribus basalibus incrassatis carnicoloiil)us, extvemitatibus 

 pallide castaneis roseo-tinctis, basi subplanulata albicante extremita- 

 tibus carnicoloribus, spiia valida obtusa anfractibus duobup, apertura 

 elongata angusta rectiuscula intus rosea postice in canalem breveni 

 sinistralem exeunte antice subflexuosa, canali antica brevi rectiuscula 

 paululum deflexa, dentibus labii externi circa 25 magnis iuterstitiis 

 Eequalibus rotundatis; labii interni paucis (circa 16) majoribus distan- 

 ti'ous anticis niaximis mediunis fere obsoletis, cavitate columellari parva 

 alba. 



A very handsome Cowry, of which a single specimen has lately 

 been received from Port Adelaide, South Australia. 



