182 MALVERN BOTANY. [Juiie, 



man in a humble station who became a distinguished proficient 

 in the apphcation and etymology of the English language by 

 studying "^ Bailey's Dictionary/ his only work on the subject. Par- 

 kinson and Gerarde are both useful, but they are better adapted 

 for aiding the researches of historical botanists than for helping 

 students to identify their collections or discoveries with pre- 

 viously known species. Our hero was fortunately able to apply 

 to living authorities, and with authentic specimens at his com- 

 mand he probably had little difficulty while threading his way 

 through the intricacies of modern nomenclature. 



During the last twenty years of Mr. Rayer's life he was em- 

 ployed as day man in the office of the Secretary of the Hon. 

 South Sea Company ; but still retaining his appointment — ho- 

 norary or stipendiary ? — in the Medical Society. 



His holidays were all spent in botanical excursions ; and his 

 favourite resorts were Greenhithe, Northfleet, Gravesend, Cob- 

 ham, Cuxton, Rochester, and the Isle of Sheppey in Kent, and 

 Hampstead Heath and Finchley Common in Middlesex. 



The only known letter in Mr. Rayer's holograph is one to the 

 demonstrator of the Chelsea Gardens, dated from Bolt Court, 

 1st July, 1795, excusing himself from joining a party formed 

 to investigate the Rydate bogs, etc. Can any reader tell the pub- 

 lisher where these bogs are situated ? 



This amiable man, who is said to have been an indulgent hus- 

 band, a steady friend, and a lively companion, an innocent, honest 

 man, died in the beginning of or early in the year 1797. 



His name appears in the earlier volumes of 'English Botany,' 

 where Mr. Sowerby acknowledges his obligations to Mr. Rayer 

 for specimens therein figured; also Sir J. E. Smith, the learned 

 author of the 'English Flora,^ commemorates his (Mr. Rayer's) 

 claim to the discovery of Althcea hirsuta, one of the rare Cuxton 

 plants. He bequeathed his botanical books, herbarium, papers, 

 and botanical memoranda to the Medical Society of London. 



Senex. 



MALVERN BOTANY. 

 Botany of the Geological Periods. 

 It has been suggested that with regard to the Scottish and 

 Welsh mountains, that they retain traces of an early or "Glacial" 



