VOL. XVII.] PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. 543 



sinapistrums, many papilionaceous and winged plants, referable to the ferrum 

 equinum, astragalus, onobrychis, to the aeschynomenes, herba casta, mimosas, 

 to the sensitive and humble plants, to the genistella tinctoria. Of the crota- 

 laria, there are 5 or 6 different kinds. The rest are akin to the euphrasia, 

 pulmonaria, verbascum, persicaria, digitalis, hedera terrestris, lysimachia. Of 

 the sesamum we have two distinct species in this part, as also of the teucrium, 

 &c. with accurate descriptions, figures, and uses. 



2. A Collection of curious Travels and Voyages, in two Tomes. The fir si containing 

 Dr. Leonhart RauwolJTs Itinerary into the Eastern Countries, &c. The second 

 taking in many Parts of Greece, Asia Minor, Egypt, Arabia, &c. from the 

 Observations of Monsieur Belon, Mr. Vernon, Dr. Spon, Dr. Smith, 

 Dr. Huntingdon, Mr. Greaves, and others. To which are added three Cata- 

 logues of Plants growing in the Levant. By John Ray, S. R. S. N° 200, 

 p. 768. 



A Letter from F. A. Esq. R. S. S. to the Editor, with a Paper of Mr. S, 

 Flower, containing the exact Draughts of several unknown Characters, taken 

 from the Ruins at Persepolis. N° 201, p. 775. 



Mr. Flower was agent in Persia for the East India Company, and while on 

 his mission, employed his time partly in coyping and collecting curious specimens 

 of antiquity ; but dying suddenly, his papers were dispersed, and mostly lost. 

 One of the remaining papers is here engraven, and contains the forms of 5 or 

 6 specimens of different literal characters, cut upon stones at Persepolis, in 

 alphabets so old, that they were not legible by the Persians themselves. Two 

 of the specimens were engraven on the breast of two horses, cut out of the 

 mountain of black-marble, near the ancient Persepolis; one of which is said 

 to be Alexander's and the other Rustram's, a famous hero supposed to have 

 lived about the time of Cambyses. Some of the characters seem to be very 

 ancient Greek, some have a resemblance to Hebrew, mixed with other forms ; 

 others again resemble the Arabic or Persian character about the 10th or 12th 

 century; one has some affinity with the old Syriac and Arabic; and one is the 

 nail character, or pyramid shape, such as is impressed on some bricks lately found 

 in the neighbouring countries. 



Of certain transparent Pebbles, mostly of the Shape of the Ombrits or Brontiee. 



By Dr. Lister. N''201, p. 778. 



These pebbles Dr. Lister calls brontiae laeves pelluctdse, resplendentes, ada- 



