1839] BOTANICAL CORRESPONDENCE. 279 



To the. same. 



St. John's College, Cambridge, March 18, 1839. 



My dear Sir, — As I am upon the point of going to press with 

 my " Primitiae Florae Sarnicae " I am very desirous of learning from 

 jou on what authority you have referred P. Baii to Polygonum 

 Roberti (Lois.). I have been unable to come to any certainty on the 

 subject, and know no more about his plant than I have mentioned 

 in the " Supplement to English Botany." P. Boberti appears to be 

 a plant that is quite unknown to all botanists except its author, and 

 he has given so very bad a description as to make it quite impossible 

 to determine the plant without authentic specimens. Have you got 

 .authentic specimens ? and if so, are you quite certain that they are 

 P. Baii ? You will, I hope, excuse my pestering you with questions, 

 as it must be the wish of all botanists to make our nomenclature as 

 perfect as possible, and also to determine any doubtful plant. I 

 hope you will soon favour me with a few lines, and believe me to 

 be, — Yours most truly, Charles C. Babington. 



To William Borrer, Esq. 



St. John's College, Cambridge, June 3, 1839. 



My dear Sir, — You are quite mistaken in supposing that I " care 

 nothing about Lichens." It is quite true that I know nothing about 

 them, but it is not my intention to remain in such a state of ignorance, 

 and hope soon to be able to give a good deal of attention to them. 

 Allow me to express to you my thanks for your kindness in remember- 

 ing me in the distribution of your Lichenographia. I was much sur- 

 prised when I learned that Mr. Turner had taken upon himself to print 

 additional sheets, and distribute the book without informing you of 

 his intentions. It is, I think, right that it should be so far published, 

 for all books that are quoted ought to be accessible, and this was in 

 that situation. I shall deliver the copy for my cousin, Churchill 

 Babington, to him as soon as I have an opportunity, and have 

 written to him to inform him of your kindness in sending him a 

 copy. I can assure you that he has great respect for you, and is 

 very desirous of obtaining your acquaintance. Tell William that he 

 ■cannot be more grieved than I am that the Iceland party has failed. 

 Ball and I did all we could to keep it on its legs, but it had latterly 

 got such an inveterate trick of stumbling that we could not prevent 

 its fall. My views are now turned towards Ireland and Ben Bulben, 

 etc., but I purpose going to Bath for about ten days as soon as I can 

 get the " Primitiae " out. This, I hope, will take place next week. 

 I shall have a copy of it, and also of a supplement to the " Flora 

 Bathoniensis " for you, and will send them both together. I have 

 no doubt that you will succeed well in Cornwall, and wish that I 

 could go with you. I expect that you will get some of the Sarnian 

 things there. Do not fail to send Sowerby specimens of the Barharea 



