81 



From the Bishop of Winchester. 



Sir, Farnham, Oct. 29, 1799. 



Mr. Poulter has sent me your letter to him, and 

 I inclose one to you from him. I am so persuaded 

 that the fructification of the Cycas (revolt, ta as we 

 suppose) is new in England, and probably in Europe, 

 that I desired Mr. Poulter to write to you upon the 

 subject, and also requested Mr. Brander to do the 

 same. 



I dare not aim at a description in proper terms, 

 being rather an amateur than professor in botany, 

 but I will relate what I know and have observed. 



When I came to Farnham about the beginning 

 of September, my gardener told me the Cycas had 

 borne a singular appearance during the summer. As 

 I did not see it earlier, I cannot speak of the flower ; 

 but on examining it I found a fine large strobilus 

 formed upon the head of the plant, within the circle 

 of the external leaves. The leaves of the strobilus 

 itself were of a greenish gray colour, thick, pulpy, 

 and beautifully laciniated : the strobilus hollow like 

 a bird's nest, and filled with a quantity of drupa 

 (then green), about the size of a half-grown apricot, 

 or large green almond ; leaves growing mixed among 

 the fruit. The only changes which the plant has 

 since undergone, are, that at each point of the laci- 

 niated leaves there is a strong spine come forth, pro- 

 bably to guard the fruit ; and the fruit itself, now 

 probably ripe or nearly so, as the kernel is com- 

 pletely formed, is become of a very fine reddish 



VOL. II. g 



