708 yHlLOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. [aNNO IjQS. 



XXf^IL Of a new Peruvian Plant * lately introduced into the English Gardens-, 

 the several Characters of which differ from all the Genera hitherto described. 

 By George Dionysius Ehret, F. R. S. p. J 30. 



This plant blowed in the Physic Grarden at Chelsea, and flourished there in 

 great perfection in the year 1761. It produced abundance of branches, which 

 spread themselves on the surface of the ground : these branches were greatly 

 multiplied by side ones, which grow alternately ; and are smooth towards the 

 ground, and streaked towards the top. Each joint is furnished with many 

 ovate-shaped leaves, having membranous ciliated footstalks. This plant was 

 also richly ornamented with abundance of buds and flowers : the flowers being 

 of a sky-blue, with a dark embroidered purple bottom, made a beautiful 

 appearance. 



Mr. Philip Miller proposed to honour this plant with the name of Walkeria, 

 in gratitude to Dr. Richard Walker, who, by his indefatigable pains, and at a 

 large expence of his own, had founded a Physic Garden in the University of 

 Cambridge, to incite and extend the study of Botany there. 



XXf^IlL Observations on tiuo Ancient Roman Inscriptions discovered at Nether- 

 by in Cumberland. By the Rev. John Taylor, LL.D. p. 133. 

 The inscriptions were discovered at Netherby in Cumberland, the former in 

 the year 1762, the other early in the present century: they both make mention 

 of Marcus Aurelius Salvius, tribune of the cohors prima aelia Hispanorum millia- 

 ria equitata. The former also points out the particular emperor, M. Aurelius 

 Severus Alexander, in whose reign it was engraved: and almost directs us to the 

 very year; which must have been either the 226th or 229th of the Christian aera, 

 for in those two years was that emperor consul : and one of those consulates this 

 stone alludes to, in the last words of it; which Dr. T. reads thus: 



imperatore domino nostro 

 severo alexandro pio 



FELICE, AVGVSTO, CONSVLE. 



The purport of the inscription now under consideration is this, viz. In the 

 reign of Severus Alexander, Pius, Felix, &c. the cohors prima aelia Hispanorum 

 milliaria equitata put the finishing hand to a building, termed here Basilica 

 equestris exercitatoria, the foundations of which had been laid some time before. 

 This was conducted under the care and direction of Valerianus, the emperor*s 

 lieutenant and pro-praetor, at the instance of M. Aurel. Salvius, tribune of the 

 aforesaid company. Basilica is a word of large extent, and commonly signifies 

 what is built for public use, or by public authority. It is therefore frequently 



* This plant is the Nolana prostrata of Linnxus. 



