1850—51] BOTANICAL CORRESPONDENCE. 315 



To the Rev. W. H. Purchas. 



St. John's College, Cambridge, Mar. 14, 1850. 



My dear Sir, — Mr. Townsend having now inspected your 

 specimens of Gli/ceria, and marked the names that he applies to 

 them^ I hasten to return them with thanks. He is not inclined to 

 consider your G. plicata a as differing materially from your ft. He 

 has also added to the packet specimens of his three plants. 

 Doubtless before this time you know that G. pedicellata is not a 

 MS. name, having been published in Townsend's paper in the 

 " Annals of Natural History " for February last. Concerning Ulex 

 Gallii and U. nanus I have nothing to remark that is new. I 

 think that they will prove to be distinct, and have long thought so, 

 long before Planchon took them in hand. I fancy that in U. Gallii 

 the wings are always rather longer than the keel, and those of 

 U. nanus rather shorter ; but that the quantity of difference 

 between those two parts is very inconstant. The direction of the 

 wing also must be taken into account, as when really longer, that 

 may cause them to look as if they were shorter. It is probable 

 that all this is well known to you, but I venture to mention it, in 

 order that you may look carefully at these points this year. I 

 again thank you for sending the specimens for inspection. — Very 

 truly yours, CHARLES C. Babington. 



To Professor J. H. Balfour, M.D. 



St. John's College, Cambridge, March 1, 1851. 



Dear Balfour, — The first sheet of my third edition is now in the 

 compositors' hands, and as I have nearly finished the revision (a very 

 complete one) of the whole book, I shall hasten them on as fast as 

 possible, so as to get the book out in May if it can be done. I think 

 that you will find it much improved in very many minute points. 

 Indeed, I have the presumption to think that I shall keep well ahead 

 of Hooker and Arnott in it. The more I study their book the more 

 I wonder to find how little more botanical information is contained 

 in its 600 pages than in my 400. Either Arnott has not the faculty 

 of condensation of matter, or he has not wished to condense. I am 

 glad to learn that your " Class Book " is in progress, and that Black 

 is to be your publisher-— nothing like being connected with a respect- 

 able man in such matters. You seem to think that I am in commercial 

 connexion with Bailli^re ; such is not the case. Van Voorst is a far 

 better man to act with. You are lucky in having the Government 

 to look to for cash to build class-rooms and museums, and right to 

 take advantage of it. The " Catalogue " has not arrived. I may as 

 well tell you that I have been told by the trade in London that a 

 catalogue printed so as to fold in royal 32° is required as a portable 

 list for use in the field, etc. I have a strong idea of issuing such a 



