280 KEViEWS. [^September, 



tributioTi of plants in an extensive county." The friendly aid of 

 the ' Phytologist ' is hereby freely proflfered ; its pages are free to 

 all who have a new fact to publish, either on the nature, uses, or 

 the distribution of plants. 



The history of botany in Essex is an epitome of the history 

 of the science in England. Among the early observers of Essex 

 plants we find one of the universal favourites, the venerable John 

 Gerard, very frequently entered; he stands sponsor for above 

 thirty plants, which still remain to attest the accurate observa- 

 tions of the brave ancient botanist. 



The name of the eminent Ray occurs above fifty times as an 

 authority for the localities of rare plants in Essex. 



Parkinson is but rarely quoted, perhaps in about half-a-dozen 

 places. Blackstone's work is easier to consult than the massive 

 volume of the former, and, possibly not for this reason, his name 

 appears about four times as often as Parkinson's. Warner is 

 quoted probably thirty times. 



But Edward Forster is most emphatically the hero of Essex 

 botany. No ancient or modern botanist (all the living botanists, 

 remember, lector benevolentissime ! are expressly excluded from 

 this comparison, in the charitable hope that they will not only 

 surpass Warner, Ray, and Blackstone, but even E. Forster him- 

 self, in the number and importance of their discoveries) has ap- 

 proached the amiable botanist of Woodford in the merit of adding 

 both plants and localities to the flora of Essex. His discoveries 

 approach very nearly in number those of the four united, viz. 

 Gerard, Ray, Blackstone, and Warner, who may be regarded as 

 the great ancient foundations and main pillars of Essex botany. 

 British botanists (many of them) have still to learn their obliga- 

 tions to this eminent member of the fraternity, who for above 

 sixty years explored Epping Forest, in all directions, from Harlow 

 to Plaistow Marshes, and from the river Lea and Chingford 

 Hatch to the Rodings, Hainault Forest, and Brentwood. 



Mr. Edward Forster' s labours were not confined within the 

 limits, of a county, but were co-extensive with the extent of the 

 kingdom. Of his discoveries and contributions to the science of 

 British botany, Sowerby's great work on our native plants will 

 be a satisfying and imperishable memorial. 



It is not undeserving of notice that the progress of British 

 botany has been very considerably indebted to members of the 



