Geography^ Geology <, and Vegetation of Sicily. 105 



" Let none then blame me, if in discipline B 



Of vertue and of civil uses lore, 

 I do not form them to the common line 



Of present dayes, which are corrupted sore. 



But to the antique use, which was of yore. 

 When good was onlie for itself desired. 



And all men sought their own, and none no more ; 

 When Justice was not for most meed out-hired. 

 But simple Truth did reign, and was of all admired." 



Fairie Queen, book iv. st. 3. (Prologue.) 



And thus, Sir, I conclude my scanty and scattered selections 

 from a multitude of reminiscences of this truly great and good 

 man ; which are fixed as points in my mind, whereon to spread 

 the vividly coloured tissue of reflection ; stepping-stones in the 

 sunny, broad, and brilliant reach of life's varying current, as it 

 passes through scenery that stirs delicious impulses through- 

 out the delighted spirit ; and, as memory hereafter sets her 

 light foot on either of them, a kindred spirit will depict to the 

 mind's eye the gleaming vision, and awaken the music of past 

 harmonies in the mind's ear, creating in the bosom a reflec- 

 tion of all the luxuriant amenities of fairy-land. 



I am, Sir, &c. 

 Westfelton, near Shrewsbury, John F. M. Dovaston. 



Dec, 30. 1 829. 



Art. II. On the Geography^ Geology^ and Vegetation of Sicily. 

 By John Hogg, Esq. M.A. F.L.S. F.C.P.S. 



Sir, 



On making a tour in Sicily in the spring of 1826, I formed 

 a catalogue of all the plants I met with, which are either indi- 

 genous, or which have now become naturalised in the island. 

 Supposing that it might not be altogether unacceptable to the 

 botanist, since no Flora Sicula had at that time been published. 

 But the object of my imperfect list has now been superseded 

 by two Sicilian Floras* that have been given to the world 

 within the last two years. 



The following pages, chiefly compiled from accurate and 

 authentic sources, wHl only attempt to give some account of 



* Presl, Carol. B. — Flora Sicula, exhibens Plantas Vasculosas in Sicilia 

 aut sponte crescentes, aut frequentissime cultas, secundum Systema Naturale 

 digestas. Pragae. 1826. — The first volume has only been published. 



Gussone loanne. — Florae Siculae Prodromus, sive Plantarum in Sicilia 

 Ulteriori nascentium Enumeratio, secundum Sj^tema Linnaeanum. Napless. 

 2 vols. 1827-8. — This work cannot yet be obtained in England. 



