SPERMATOPHYTA. 29 



facile princeps') . Upon the completion of his medical studies, Brown, 

 as is well known, was attached as ensign and assistant-surgeon to 

 a Scotch militia regiment stationed upon the western coast of 

 Ireland. 



"An inconspicuous plant with which he here became acquainted 

 the Eriocaulon septangulare the only European representative of 

 an especially American order caused his life to be diverted into 

 the exclusive service of Botany; for, accompanying a recruiting party 

 of his regiment to London, in the summer of 1 798, and on the road 

 visiting his friend Dr. Withering at Edgbarton, near Birmingham, 

 the latter caused him to introduce himself with that plant and his 

 researches upon it to Dr. Dryander. This learned botanist, librarian 

 to Sir Joseph Banks, astonished at the minuteness of the investigation 

 and the fulness of the conclusions derived therefrom, recommended 

 the young military surgeon as a future master in Botany; and Sir 

 Joseph Banks from this time forward showed him a paternal kind- 

 ness, and in December, 1800, proposed him to the Government as 

 Naturalist to the Naval Exploring Expedition to New Holland under 

 Captain Flinders, then fitting out. Robert Brown, at this call, 

 gave up at once the military career and on the igth of July, 1801, 

 sailed in the Investigator from Spithead to the newly discovered 

 quarter of the globe." 



XYRIDACE^E (YELLOW-EYED GRASS FAMILY). 



Xyris (Gronov.) L. Yellow-eyed Grass. 



montana Ries. In bogs, not rare, 



fiexuosa Muhl. In bogs and wet places, common. 



COMMELINACE.E (SPIDERWORT FAMILY). 



Oommelina (Plum.) L. Day-flower. 



communis L. In neglected yards, Worcester. 



