212 BOTANICAL TOURS IN WALES. 
have towards producing a dry and rigid structure. The ‘ Phy- 
tologist’ has put forth a great challenge, may we find a cham- 
pion able to take it up! At best we can but hope to discover 
those peculiarities of construction by which each organism is so 
marvellously adapted to its own circumstances of existence; and 
the closer we look, the more shall’ we have cause to admire the 
handiwork of the all-wise Creator. To push our inquiries fur- 
ther than this, were to endeavour to intrude upon the secret 
mysteries of life itself. G. 
An Epitome of Botanical Tours in Wales from the earliest period. 
(Giraldus Cambrensis and Johnson.) 
The first Welsh itinerary known is the work of Giraldus Cam- 
brensis, a dignified clergyman, and a native of the Principality. 
He was both Archdeacon and temporary Bishop of St. David’s. 
This learned man, who has the reputation of being rather cre- 
dulous (credulity was the failing of literary men in those days), 
accompanied Archbishop Baldwin, who travelled’ with his re- 
tinue through Wales in 1188, as a preacher of the Crusade then 
preparing by Henry II., and subsequently conducted by Richard 
Coeur-de-Lion ;—we believe the last time the arms of France and 
England were marshaled together on the same battle-field and 
engaged in the same cause, till our days, when the same hosts 
are allied in maintaining the system which they then sought to 
overthrow. But our business is with Welsh plants and Welsh 
tours, not with the Crescent, nor with those who uphold it. The 
learned Archdeacon presented the world with the fruit of his 
peregrinations and observations in his ‘ Itinerarium Cambrie,? 
the earliest topographical account we have of Wales, or indeed 
of any portion of Britain, excepting the meagre notices left us 
by the Romans. Archbishop Baldwin was a learned man, as 
well as one of the highest dignitaries of the Church; and his 
name is honourably enrolled among British authors, and his 
works are still extant and appreciated by the learned. He not 
only preached the duty of taking up arms in the cause of the 
Cross, but, like many churchmen of that period, he lent the vi- 
gour of his arm, as well as the eloquence of his tongue, in its sup- 
port. He died in Palestine, in the camp, 1191, three years after 
