^^ THK PLANTS OF HOLY ISLAND. {January, 



We are not afraid to give currency to certain doubts which are 

 humbly entertained and diffidently divulged, that our older 

 botanists, and one of the moderns, at least, may have been right 

 in calling our three assumed species of (Enanthe, viz. (E. pim- 

 pinelloides, (E.peucedanifolia, and (E.Lachenalii, by the first name. 

 This is only sheer surmise, for the matter is undecided ; and 

 it probably will remain in this doubtful state after a series of ex- 

 amples have been carefully compared. But by undertaking this 

 labour, a step will be taken in the right direction, and our read- 

 ers will have the benefit not merely of the result of this com- 

 parison, but they will have the opinions of the elite of the lead- 

 ing collecting botanists of England. 



There is another object looming in the distant future, viz. a 

 monograph of the British genera and species of the Order Pota- 

 macce. We may say ditto to that or those of Chenopodiacece, that 

 is, if our readers will supply us with a sufficient series of exam- 

 ples, or even of the most critical and proximate forms of plants 

 belonging to either of the Orders, or to both. 



We have no more requests to make, nor any more explana- 

 tions to submit, only this one, viz. that our readers, correspon- 

 dents, and contributors, will receive our assurance that we are 

 their most obedient servants, and that we are most grateful re- 

 ceivers of all their favours, honest counsels, and cheering en- 

 couragements. For their goodwill and active support we hereby 

 tender to each and all the expression of our joint feelings, joint 

 thanks, and gratitude, and wish them all a happy and prosperous 

 new year, assuring them that our gratitude will not lag behind 

 their judicious efforts in our behalf. 



THE PLANTS OF HOLY ISLAND. 

 Bp W. R. Alnwick. 



Though the situation and extent of Holy Island are doubtless 

 known to most readers of the ' Phytologist,' perhaps a short in- 

 troductory description may be useful. 



The island is about three miles long, and a mile and a half 

 wide, and of a very irregular outline. Its entire area is one 

 thousand four hundred acres. " Its surface,'^ says Raine, " is 



