876 



and bloomed on from autumn until now, as, also, had the Pyrethrura 

 Parthenium. We also observed Rumex obtusifolius in flower." 



The annexed notes on the mildness of the weather in the years 

 1747 — 1767, furnished by Mr. Luxford, were also read : — 



" The following weather-notes will, I think, form appropriate ad- 

 denda to the papers on the mildness of the present season by Dr. 

 Bell-Salter and Mr. Lloyd in the last number of this journal (Phytol. 

 iv. 845). They occur in the series of letters from Peter Collinson to 

 Linnaeus, printed in the Linnaean Correspondence,* and are interest- 

 ing, inasmuch as they show that in the matter of mild winters and 

 earthquakes there is really 'nothing new under the sun,' whatever may 

 be said of railroads, steam-vessels, and the electric telegraph. 



" English gardens, says the editor of the Correspondence, are 

 indebted to Mr. Collinson ' for the introduction of many new and 

 curious species, which he acquired by means of an extensive corre- 

 spondence, particularly from North America.' His name is perpetu- 

 ated in Collinsonia Canadensis, a North-American plant, imported in 

 1735, and so named by Linnaeus in honour of his truly-amiable friend, 

 who died at Mill Hill, near Hendon, Middlesex, on the 11th of Au- 

 gust, 1768, in the seventy-fifth year of his age, and 'in the full pos- 

 session of all his faculties, and of all his enthusiasm for the beauties 

 of Nature, attended by far more important consolations and supports,' 

 as is well expressed in his last letter to Linnaeus, dated March 16, 

 1767. 



'" London, Jan. 18, O. S. 1743-4. — We have now a wonderful fine 

 season, that makes our spring flowers come forth. I am sure you 

 would be delighted to see my windows filled with six pots of flowers, 

 which the gardener has sent me to town ; viz. great plenty of Aconites, 

 white and green Hellebore, double Hepatica, Crocus, Polyanthus, 

 Periwinkle, Laurustinus, vernal red Cyclamen, single Aneraonies, and 

 Snowdrops. This is my delight to see flowers, which make a room 

 look cheerful and pleasant, as well as sweet. None of these were 

 brought forward by any art, but entirely owing to the temperature of 

 the season, though some years I have known things forwarder than now.' 



"'London, Oct. 26, 1747. — My garden is in great beauty, for we 

 have had no frosts ; a long, dry, warm summer and autumn, grapes 

 very ripe. The vineyards turn to good profit, much wine being made 



* ' A Selection of the Correspondence of Linnaeus and other Naturalists, from the 

 Original Manuscripts. By Sir J. E. Smith, Pres. L.S., &c. 1821.' 



