Dr. Hooker on American Botany, 269 



of the most profound botanists that Europe, has ever known. 

 The whole is in Latin, and, as may be supposed, the propor- 

 tional number of new species is extremely large ; and certain- 

 ly, considered as the first Flora of so entensive a country as 

 North America, it confers the highest credit on the industry 

 andacuteness ofMiohaux 



Long before the publication of this work, another natur- 

 alist, Frederick Pursh, a Pole*, we beHeve, by birth, but edu- 

 cated in Dresden, instigated by the richness of the vegetation, 

 and the hope of making numerous discoveries, resolved to 

 visit North America, and carried his plan into execution in 

 1799, when he embarked for Baltimore, in Maryland, with 

 the resolution not to return to Europe till he had examined 



* This celebrated Botanist, we believe, has been commonly, though 

 erroneously, considered a native of Poland. While Professor Sillimaa 

 was in Canada, in the autumn of 1819, he had a personal interview with 

 Mr. Pursh, in the course of which the latter stated expressly, that he was 

 a Tartar^ horn and educated in Siberia, near Toboltski, " Indeed," says 

 Professor Silliman, " he -possessed a physiognomy and manner different 

 from that of Europeans, and Mghly characteristic of his native country." 



" Mr. Pursh expressed himself very warmly on the subject of the liberal 

 aid which he received in Europe from scientific men, in the use of their 

 libraries and their herbariums, and in the tender of their private advice 

 and information ; he mentioned, particularly, his obligations to Sir Joseph 

 Barks, and President Smith. He informed me, that he contemplated 

 another tour to Europe for the purpose of publishing his Flora of Canada, 

 upon which he had been already several years occupied, and expected to 

 be still occupied for several years more. These researches led him much 

 among the savage nations of the North-west, and around the great lakes. 

 He went first among them in company with the exploring and trading 

 parties of the North- West Company, but fearing to be involved in the 

 consequences of their quarrels, he abandoned their protection, and threiv 

 himself, alone and unprotected, upon the generosity of the aborigines. 

 He pursued his toilsome researches, month after month, travelling on 

 foot, relying often on the Indians for support, and of course experiencing 

 frequently the hunger, exposure, and perils of savage life. But such 

 was the enthusiasm of his mind, and his complete devotion to the ruling 

 passion, that he thought little of marching day after day, often with a 

 pack weighing sixty pounds on his shoulders, through forests and swamps, 

 and over rocks and mountains, provided he could discover a new plant ,■ 

 great numbers of such he assured me he had found, and that he intended 

 to publish the drawings and descriptions of them in his Canadian Flora." 

 (See " Remarks made on a Tour between Hartford and Quebec" p. 

 351.) 



Mr. Pursh died, after a very lingering illness, at Montreal, July 11 th, 

 1820. It is to be hoped that inquiry has been, or will be, instituted con- 

 cerning- the papers of tliis learned man. His Flora of Canada, 

 though probably not sufficiently mature for publication, would almost; 

 undoubtedlv afford many valuable items. C. H. 



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