Linnean Society. 4.75 



offence to the Horticultural Society than many of their masters. Gar- 

 deners, like other men, are no doubt wise in their generation, and will 

 not give wilful offence in any quarter whence they might receive a service ; 

 but are gentlemen less feelingly alive to the supposed advantages of getting 

 seeds or grafts from the Society ? Both parties act wisely. — Cond. 



Art. IV. Linnean Society. 



Feb. 5. 1825. — Read. Part of a paper, entitled " Remarks on the Flora 

 of Great Britain, as connected with Geography and Geology." By J. E. 

 Bicheno, F.R.S. Sec. Lin. Soc. 



The author proposes, in this paper, to make some observations on the 

 geography of plants, which has lately attracted so much attention ; but, in- 

 stead of connecting plants with particular temperatures, which has been the 

 chief object of those who have preceded him, he wishes to extend his sub- 

 ject, and to show how far geological structure may have contributed to 

 extend or limit the range of plants upon the earth's surface. 



Before entering upon this question, he thinks it necessary to ascertain 

 what plants are really indigenous, and what have been introduced and pro- 

 pagated by artificial means. This he regards as raising many curious enqui- 

 ries. For example, among other instances he says that Cbronopus didyma 

 is with us a coast plant, and that, whether the traveller goes to Lisbon, or 

 Madeira, or the Cape, or Sydney, in all these places he will find this species, 

 to which it is not indigenous. He thinks the CruciferaB, as a family, have 

 many of them this migratory disposition. (Sisymbrium J\io and Thlaspi 

 arvense are among the number. 



He rejects also, as unfit for indicating geological strata, all those plants 

 which follow the footsteps of man. Such are the Chenopodese, the mug- 

 wort, the docks, the plantains, and the mallows. Wherever, in Europe, 

 man plants his habitation, even at the height of 7 or 8000 feet above the 

 level of the sea, there we may expect to find many of these species follow- 

 ing after him. 



Then he would set aside plants which affect towns and villages, as not 

 assisting him. Those localities offer many curious attachments, and com- 

 prehend a much larger class than is commonly thought. Chamomile is 

 found on every green about London, yet does not appear to be indigenous 

 there. Superstition, medical and religious, has contributed again to every 

 Flora. He then went on to state that many species terminate their north- 

 ern range on walls, such are Teiicrium Chamge'drys, .ffblosteum umbella- 

 tum, Antirrhinum majus, &c. &c. ; many, again, upon the sea shore, where 

 the temperature favours their growth ; many upon strata which are of a 

 warmer nature, and which the same species is not inclined to in more 

 southern latitudes. He asserts that plants become a delicate test of strata 

 as they approach their limits ; and that many which have no choice of soil 

 at their head-quarters, are observed to be very select when they get to their 

 northern boundary. (See Gard. Mag., vol. ii. p. 40 5.) 



Description of a splendid new Genus of Plants from Ava, by Dr. Wal- 

 lich, and which he has named, in compliment to the Countess Amherst, 

 Amhe'rstifl nobilis, Diadelphia Decandria, and Leguminosa?. 



The Amhe'rstia is a large tree, with the habit of Erythrlna; leaves 2 ft. 

 long, composed of 8 or 10 pair of large leaflets of a delicate glaucous colour. 

 The cluster of flowers is pyramidal, 2 ft. or more in length, with a peduncle 

 of 15 in. ; the whole of a brilliant scarlet. The petals are 1 in. in breadth, 

 each furnished with a yellow spot at the apex. Four trees have only as 



