( 565 ) 



XVJI. An Account of a new Genus of New Holland Plants named 

 Brunonia. By James Edward Smith, M.D. F.R.S. F.L.S. 



Read February 6, 1810, 



Tor the knowledge of the genus of plants of which I now propose 

 to offer an account to the Linnean Society, I am obliged to Mr. 

 Robert Brown, Librarian to the Society, who discovered it in the 

 course of his botanical researches in New Holland. A very inter- 

 esting part of his rich harvest in that country occupies a large por- 

 tion of the present volume of our Transactions. With such a proof 

 of his genius and abilities before us, any testimony of mine to the 

 same purpose would be altogether superfluous ; but I am anxious 

 to seize an opportunity, which, at my earnest solicitation, Mr, 

 Brown has afforded me, of gratifying my own personal friend- 

 ship, while 1 do public justice to his merits, in dedicating this 

 new and very distinct genus to his honour. In order to accom- 

 plish this, as there is already a Brozcnea, in memory of the natu- 

 ral historian of Jamaica, I am obliged to adopt a contrivance, 

 unexceptionable in itself, and authorized by precedent, of pre- 

 eerving as much resemblance to his name as possible, while I 

 avoid all ambiguity with the Brozcnea previously established, in 

 calling my genus Brunonia. Of this, consisting of two species, I 

 shall now proceed to offer a systematic description, subjoining 

 some remarks on its botanical affinity, whicii is enveloped in no 

 small degree of obscurity, 



VOL. X. 3 b BllUKO- 



