383 
bie, were distinguishable enough, and ascertained 
by former visitors to the collection of Mr. White 
Watson, a zealous naturalist ; andmy boy thought 
he could distinguish another impression to be that 
of the Dodecatheon Meadia. There are a great 
many other impressions of plants, not settled, and 
which I wish you would see: many of them appear 
to be of Ferns. 
The same gentleman has a very curious collec- 
tion of what are called petrified shells, which appear 
to be formed by water charged with calcareous 
earth, as is the water which forms stalactites, 
entering into the shells, and depositing its earth, 
which takes, as it loses its water and hardens, the 
form of the containing shell, in some instances 
covering the petrifaction. My little fellow is too 
great a novice in conchology to ascertain the spe- 
cies of the shells. 
The neighbourhood of Buxton promises very 
little in any part of Botany ; and your young friend 
is yet too much of a tyro to make much progress 
without a guide. We all, on every account, wish 
for your presence. When you return to London 
we may trouble you to settle the names of a few 
specimens for us. 
I am, dear Sir, very much yours, 
GEORGE STAUNTON. 
Str C. P. Thunberg to J. E. Smith. 
Dum non eque facile scribere scio, ac quidem 
intelligo linguam Anglicam, spero fore, ut tu, vir 
