Shirawati River in Canara. 191 



cimens of the granite rocks, which they struck off at different 

 heights, according to our directions. From the bed of the river 

 we ourselves procured several specimens of the superincumbent 

 gneiss, which is finely stratified. From the banks we cut down 

 some branches from cinnamon trees, the first which we had seen. 

 We were grateful when we reached the bungalow in safety ; and we 

 were able next day to prosecute our journey to the ancient Bana- 

 wasi, by way of the celebrated Chandragupti. The mountain 

 on which the fort at this latter place stands is noticed particu- 

 larly by Dr Francis Buchanan. Banawasi is mentioned by Pto- 

 lemy, and has a very ancient temple. Not far from it, we no- 

 ticed a species of Buceros, which, as far as I am aware, is un- 

 described. It is called by the natives Danchidi. We heard the 

 cry of the bird at a great distance, the large hollow excrescence 

 above the beak acting as a sounding-board. We employed two 

 natives to procure for us a specimen, but they were unsuccessful 

 in their attempt to kill one. They gave us, however, two heads 

 which they had in their houses. This bird, they said, lives 

 principally upon fruit, and it is much relished as an article of 

 food. John Wilson. 



Bombay, IGth August 1837. 



Description of several New or Rare Plants which have lately 

 Flowered in the Neighbourhood of Edinburgh, chiefly in the 

 Roycd Botanic Garden. By Dr Graham, Prof, of Botany. 



Bee. 10. 1837. 

 Begonia parvifolia. 



B. parvifolia; sufFruticosa, glabra; foliis inijequaliter cordatis, lobatis, 

 lobis subacutis, undulatis, sparce serratis, subglaucescentibus ; fructi- 

 bus trialatis. 

 Begonia parvifolia, Schott — Sprengel, Syst. Veget. c. p. 408. 



Descbiption AVhole plant glabrous. Stem sufFruticose; branches red, 



transparent. Petioles (1-2 inches long) spreading, at length divaricated, 

 channelled above. Leaves shorter than the petioles, ovate, unequally 

 cordate at the base, delicate green above, pale and crystalline below, 

 with prominent reddish veins, lobed; lobes subacute, distantly ser- 

 rated, with a minute bristle in the base of each fissure. Corymbs axil- 

 lary, on peduncles which are longer than the petioles, forked, bearing 

 a male flower in the cleft, and one male and one female upon each divi- 

 sion. Bractece subrotund, greenish-white. Flowers white ; male flowers 

 of two subequal entire and kidney-shaped petals, very rarely with a small 

 one between these; stamens numerous, attached only at the base, lila- 



