1863] BOTANICAL COREESPONDENCE. ,357 



to add to both herbaria some interesting examples. I am almost as 

 hot after them as Gay, — and that is saying much, and is the result 

 of his teaching and example. I have got none from Scotland, except 

 from Croall, and Sunderland (?) (both Aberdeenshire), and those 

 gathered by myself. Surely some of your collectors must have got 

 the plants in new places in Scotland, and would communicate with 

 me. Neither can I obtain them from Ireland. Do have the kind- 

 ness to press this matter upon the Scottish botanists. Thus far 

 you may read what I say to the Society if you choose. — Dear Balfour, 

 yours truly, Charles C. Babington. 



To the Eev. T. A. Preston. 



Cambridoe, Jan. 8, 1863. 



Dear Preston, — Shall I return the bit of Astrantia after I have 

 done with it 1 Can it be native ? — I fear not. I write to Darwall 

 about it to-day. The article in the " Times," 1 saw, and was much 

 amused at men's credulity. Ten or fifteen years since the same 

 story was prevalent. Now men think that they have raised barley 

 (and it seems wheat) from oats. For the satisfaction of some 

 farmers we have sown oats in our Garden ; and cut them down 

 three times last summer, and do not expect to reap barley or wheat. 

 Seeds of both those grains were in the sample before it was sown, 

 and were of course removed. Most of the plants are apparently 

 dead — indeed the crop looks exceedingly bad. I fancy very few 

 will produce ears. The neighbourhood of Penzance is excellent 

 ground for the botanist. It has many plants that are not at all, or 

 rarely, found elsewhere. It may be worth while to look out even 

 now. Try and find the little Ophioglossum lusitanicum Avhich should 

 now be in perfection. — Yours very truly, Charles C. Babington. 



To the same. 



Cambridge, Jan. 22, 1863. 



Dear Preston, — I return the Astrantia with thanks. It has had 

 a narrow escape of being lost. I put it away safely in case you 

 were to have it back, and so safely that it is only after a long hunt 

 that I have again found it. Please in future always to mark for 

 return on specimens intended to be returned. It will save me from 

 some trouble, and be none to you. I am rather surprised that you 

 have found nothing new to you at Penzance : for, although the 

 season is very much against you, I did expect that many of the 

 plants might remain in so very mild a winter as the present. I do 

 not think that it is of any use to attempt getting Mr. Ralfs to look 

 at flowering plants. I think that he has confined his attention to 

 the Diatornaceae and such like, for many years. — Yours very truly, 

 Charles C. Babington. 



