Retrospective Criticism. 245 



"ton," read "tree; and for "tons," read "trees." P. 89. line 9. for 

 Eranthis hyemalis " at Sir J. Fulbock's," read " at Sir J. Lubbock's." 



Remarks on the Encyclopaedia of Plants of Loudon, Lindley, and Soiverby. 

 — At the request of Dr. Mease, I have read with great attention and plea- 

 sure the whole of this work : I consider it very valuable, embodying so much 

 useful and practical information. In such an immense compilation of mate- 

 rials, it is no wonder that some errors have crept in ; and, as I am quite fa- 

 miliar with our North American plants, I have been particularly struck with 

 those relating to them. I propose to notice some of them, in order that Mr. 

 Loudon may correct them in his new editions, supplements, or journals. 



This work appears to consist of three parts, by different hands : the 

 botany by Lindley, the figures by Sowerby, and the history by Loudon. 

 Each of these has peculiar excellence and defects. I have been delighted 

 to see botany returning to the good old plan of wood-cuts, which I have 

 long desired, and done also in some of my works {Medical Flora, School of 

 Flora, Sec). The given figures are mostly excellent or good, but some in- 

 different or bad; and, in a few instances, they do not represent the intended 

 species. Mr. Lindley shows himself an acute botanist in his part; but, as 

 is too common among the practical botanists, he appears to be led partly by 

 whim rather than principles, in his nomenclature, genera, and species. If 

 this should be matter of mere taste, it would do; but when justice is 

 required towards the founders or detectors of genera and species, an 

 adherence to priority is needful. If so many new genera or subgenera are 

 needful in Cryptogamia, Orchideae, Pelargonium, &c, why not in Scabiosa, 

 iVarcissus, -Erica, &c. ? He quotes Willdenow instead of Linnaeus ; Pursh 

 instead of Michaux and m3'self, &c. I found only one genus (Adlurm'a) of 

 mine adopted, and another (Lobadium) quoted. My numerous works 

 appear totally unknown. I am called a writer on botanical matters. I have 

 been writing, indeed, for twenty-five years, and published fifty works or 

 pamphlets, some of which I now present to Messrs. Loudon and Lindley, 

 through Dr. Mease, in order that my labours may be a little better known 

 in England.* I have already published or indicated 500 new genera, or sub- 

 genera, or species presumed new, of plants, many of which are yearly pil- 

 fered by others. 



Mr. Loudon's history of plants is excellent : I have found in it many 

 novelties and valuable matter. If he had known my Medical Flora of the 

 United States, where 600 genera are mentioned, and even their economical 

 properties indicated, he could have added some other peculiarities. 



Without further preamble, I enter upon the course of my remarks : — 



1. The good genus Centranthus of Necker and Decandolle is called 

 Fedia ; and the Fedia is called Valerianella. Is it oversight or whim ? 



2. Tritonia of Ker is inadmissible : there are two genera of that name 

 already ; this is the third. I have called it Belendenza. 



3. Oryzopsis Mx. is erroneous ; Dilepyrum Raf, 1808. The same 

 with Airopsis, Arundinaria, Portulacaria, Erucaria, Testudinaria, Cucur- 

 bitaria, &c. : all these are inadmissible. Arundinaria is Miegia of Persoon. 



* The works presented are three. First, " Medical Flora, or Manual of 

 the Medical Botany of the United States of North America." 2 vols. 8vo, 

 500 pages ; with 100 woodcuts printed in green. Atkinson and Alex- 

 ander. Philadelphia, Vol. I., 1828 ; Vol. II., 1830.— Second, " Principes 

 fondamentaux de Somiologie ; ou les Loix de la Nomenclature et de la 

 Classification des Corps organises." 8vo, 52 pages. Palerme, aux depens 

 de l'Auteur, 1814. — Third, "Precis des Decouvertes Somiologiques, ou 

 Zoologiques et Botaniques." Palerme, aux depens de l'Auteur, 1814. The 

 last work represents that the author had, as early as 1814, discovered and 

 described 190 species of animals and plants. Of these three works, we have 

 made some mention in the Magazine of Natural History, vol. v. p. 76. 



r 3 



