536 Obituary. 



common]}') found mixed. If anything, it delights in moister sand; it flowers 

 rather earlier; I find here that they continue to demand a little water, even 

 while in flower. My specimens, however, are few and sickly. 



" 5. Satyrium chrysostdchyum. It failed to flower here this year, though 

 in soil brought from the Cape (fine black sand, rich in vegetable particles), as 

 I apprehend, from inattention to watering the roots. They frequent very 

 moist places, even swamps (i. e. in the wet season), though perfectly dry at 

 the end of the hot months, and seem to require moisture so long as the flower 

 continues, as well as increased heat. However, when dormant, perfect sic- 

 city is requisite, no doubt, for these as for the rest. 



" 6. Disa graminifolia (Herschelia coelestis Lindl.). It is of delicate ma- 

 nagement. Even at the Cape, I could hardly get it to bear transporting from 

 the bulrushy sand, where it luxuriates, among an infinity of harsh sour grasses, 

 and rush-like vegetation, about 18 in. or 2 ft. high. Yet I have had one 

 flower-stalk from it this summer. It is a very beautiful and singular-looking 

 flower. It seems to pine for want of its natural companions ; and, except in 

 soil taken from such localities, will probably not thrive. 



" 7. Disa grandiftbra. It grows on or near the summit of the Table Moun- 

 tain, where the temperature is occasionally 3H°, and occasionally also 96i° 

 (these were the minimum and maximum of a self-registering thermometer I 

 left there for three years). Its habitat is on the margin of pools of standing 

 water, the drainage of the boggy slopes of the mountain, wherein its roots are 

 immersed. These are dry, or nearly so, in summer. In such localities, it is, of 

 course, frequently involved in the dense mist of the clouds, which, even in the 

 hottest months, often cover the whole summit of the mountain, for a week or 

 a fortnight uninterruptedly. It languished for two years by a pond in my gar- 

 den, but would, I think, have grown accustomed to the change. I presume a 

 moderately warm, habitually damp, atmosphere would suit it." 



Art. VI. Obituary. 



Died, July 24., in the prime of life, William Christy, Esq., Jun., F.L.S., of 

 Clapham Road, Stockwell. Mr. Christy was a scientific botanist, and had a 

 considerable botanical library and herbarium, which, foreseeing his early death, 

 from the nature of his disease, he presented to the Botanical Society of Edin- 

 burgh above a year ago (see p. 262.). Mr. Christy was naturally of a mild and 

 amiable disposition. He was well aware for many months that he was labour- 

 in<* under an incurable malady, which he bore with the most philosophic and 

 Christian resignation, and he died at last without suffering any pain, and, we 

 may truly say, beloved and respected by all who knew him. The following 

 note received by us from Mr. Christy, more than a year before his death, may 

 be useful in teaching to others that resignation of which he himself showed 

 so remarkable an example. 



" My dear Sir, I am obliged by your last kind note. After I sent mine 

 I was so much worse, that I began taking leave of my family, and the absent 

 members were summoned; however, thank God, I have since rallied, and do 

 not now anticipate quite so early a termination to my illness ; although ultimate 

 recovery is, I believe, quite hopeless. With regard to your kind offer of a 

 visit, I am sorry to decline it; but I have even been obliged to refuse those of 

 some near relatives. At times, indeed, I can see no one, and even when 

 tolerably well am obliged to be kept very quiet. Should an} r thing happen to 

 me, you will receive intimation; and I should feel obliged by your just noticing 

 it in the shortest way possible in the next Gardener's Magazine, as it may 

 serve to convey the news to some of my horticultural correspondents, who 

 mi"ht not otherwise hear of it. Once more, with kind regards to Mrs. Loudon, 

 believe me, my dear Sir, yours sincerely, — IV. Christy. Clapham Road, 

 Thursday. 



