1862.] PROFESSORS JOHN AND THOMAS MARTYN. 269 



the wild plants of Kent, he should be wholly unacquainted with 

 Hudson's ' Flora/ and even Ray's Synopsis ; and that to the last 

 he should be ignorant of Old Johnson's ' Itinerary '? It is not 

 necessary that every antiquary should be a naturalist ; but if he 

 steps aside into the flowery path, he should at least procure a 

 friend to direct his steps." — Page 165. 



Br. Goodenoucjli s ' Botanica Metriga.' 



From Professor Thos.Martyn's very interesting letters, published 

 in Gorham's Memoirs, the following notice of the bishop's 'Bota- 

 nica Metrica ' is taken : — " Dr. Goodenough has long been about 

 a ' Botanica Metrica/ which I presume will be more extensive 

 and classical, as I understand he means to give authorities." 



Does any reader of this note know aught about the above pro- 

 posed botanical catalogue? Will any correspondent send the 

 question to the editor of ' Notes and Queries.' 



NiCANDRA PHYSALOIDES. — Peruvian Deadly Nightsliade. 



This American exotic, like the Potato, has made several efforts 

 to establish itself in this country. It abounded some years ago 

 in gardens and cornfields about Guildford and Shalford, county 

 Surrey ; and only last year, summer, 1861, it appeared again on 

 rubbish between Little Chelsea and Parson's Green. 



The following extract from a letter to a young lady, sent by 

 Professor Thos. Martyn with seeds of this plant, is a fair example 

 of the kind, amiable, condescending disposition of the venerable 

 botanist ; he was now an octogenarian : — 



" The seeds might have been enclosed in a nutshell ; but as 

 you seem curious in such matters, I was desirous you should 

 observe the apparatus Avhich nature has provided for the protection 

 of the seed. There is first a shell, which, being thin and brittle, 

 is, next, itself protected by the permanent calyx, in form of a 

 regular pentagon with five bastions. I presume you do not 

 send the seeds into Scotland, for they will not vegetate there, 

 except in a hotbed ; indeed even here (Bedfordshire), in unto- 

 ward seasons, they scarcely flower soon enough for the seeds to 

 ripen ; it is safer, therefore, to commit a few of them to a gentle 

 hotbed. You are aware that the plant is an annual." — Me- 

 moirs, p. 239. 



