rough glands. FLowers solitary, proceeding from each tuft of leaves 
along the stem, small, of a fine yellow or orange colour, supported by 
a peduncle, nearly an inch and half long, which is slender, drooping, 
and clothed with a short glandular pubescence. Sepats 6, of une- 
qual size, bright yellow, ovate, concave on the upper side, rounded at 
the points, 3 outer ones about a third less than the inner ones. PE- 
TALS 6, opposite the sepals, shorter than the inner ones, ovate, entire, 
concave inwards, somewhat undulate at the margins, rounded at 
the points, of a rich orange hue. STameEns 6, opposite to the petals: 
filaments fleshy, thickened as far as where the anther is attached ; cells 
of the anther distinct, pollen granular, glossy. Ovary smooth, roundly 
oval, tapering towards the stigma, which is large, peltate and orbi- 
cular ; ' 
Poputar aND GeocrapuicaL Notice. The discovery of this 
interesting plant is due to Mr. Anderson, the botanical collector at- 
tached to Capt. King’s expedition to the Straits of Magellan. Ac- 
cording to him it is found extending from Chiloe, to the Straits of Ma- 
gellan, unless the plant of Chiloe be a distinct species, a circumstance 
rendered probable by their being much smaller than the present plant, 
and by having deciduous leaves, while this one possesses evergreen 
leaves. The fruit which is black, is not merely ornamental, but useful, 
being employed to make tarts, sweetmeats, and preserves. 
There are many curious points in the structure and habits of the 
Berberry: the spines are leaves, of which the parenchyma is absent, 
and the mid-rib indurated ; the stamens are remarkable for their irri- 
tability, for if the base of a stamen be touched with a pin or knife, 
it springs forward and strikes the pistil.. The same occurrence is ob- 
served when the opposite poles of a glavanic battery are attached, one 
to the petal, to which the stamen is fixed, the other to the pistil. 
IntropucTion; Wnere Grown; Currure. Introduced about 
1828, by Mr. Anderson, to Lowe’s Nursery, at Clapton. It is quite 
hardy, and may be propagated by layers, or may he inarched on the 
common Berberry ; or young cuttings, planted under bell-glasses in 
pots of sand, will strike root readily. A mixture of sandy loam and 
peat, or sandy peat alone, is suitable to it. 
Derivation Or THE NaMEs. 
Berseris, according to some, from BepBapt, the Greek for a shell, the 
leaves of some species shining like a a shell ; according to others, from am 
rees, the name of the common Grea oo Dutcts sweet. 
Bexseris purcis. Don. In peat ese Garden, 2nd Series, Folio 100. 
