1857.] BOTANICAL NOTES, NOTICES, AND QUERIES. 189 



from error as possible. To this end the greater number of the 

 references given have {has) been actually examined; a few only 

 of those made to less accessible works have been taken on trust/^ 



''In the prefixed Synopsis of the Genera the author has 

 sketched out what appears to him the most intelligible arrange- 

 ment, as well as endeavoured to simplify the definitions of the 

 generic groups. As regards the genera themselves, it has been 

 an endeavour to hold a middle course between the excessive sub- 

 division and the equally inconvenient non-division of the older 

 genera.^^ 



From what we have seen of this work it may be inferred that 

 the work will be faithfully completed, and that it will be credi- 

 table to both author and publisher. 



BOTANICAL NOTES, NOTICES, AND QUERIES. 



Plants in Chukchyards. 



A remarkable custom prevailed in North Wales at the period of Mr. 

 Evans's visit to that interesting land at the end of the last century, now 

 sixty years ago, viz. of planting the graves of departed relatives and friends 

 with evergreens and flowers. Box, thrift, and other plants fit for edging, 

 are planted round in the shape of the grave for a border, so that the taste 

 of the living may here be known by the manner of embellishing these 

 mansions of the dead. The Snowdrop, Violet, and Primrose, harbingers 

 of Spring, denote the infant dust, that lies below ; the Eocket, Rose, and 

 Woodbine show maturer years; while Tansy, Rue, and Starwort mark 

 declining life. Shakespeare alludes to this custom in his ' Cymbeline' : — 



" With fairest flowers, lass, 

 I '11 sweeten thy sad grave ; thou shalt not lack 

 The flower that 's like thy face, pale primrose, nor 

 The azure harebell, like thy veins. No, nor 

 The leaf of eglantine, which, not to slander, 

 Outsweetened not thy breath." 



" StUl when the hours of solemn rites return 

 The village train in sad procession mourn ; 

 Pluck every weed that might the spot disgrace. 

 And plant the fairest field-flowers in their place. 

 Around no noxious plant nor flow'ret grows. 

 But the first daffodil and earhest rose. 

 The snowdrop spreads its whitest blossom here. 

 And golden cowslips grace the vernal year : 

 Here the pale primrose takes a fairer hue, 

 And every violet boasts a brighter blue." 



Evans's 'North Wales,' p. 18, note. 



