Mr. Winch's Observations on his Flora. 145 



and Robson,* and many more on the authority of Wallis.t By the 

 perusal of his Natural History of Northumberland, Botanists, even of 

 the present day, may obtain useful information, though, unfortunately 

 for his reputation as a correct man of science, two or three of the most 

 remarkable plants, which he supposed he had discovered growing with 

 us, were not the species he took them for ; yet, on most occasions, I 

 have ascertained him to be correct ; and, let it be remembered, that in 

 his time, no well executed and coloured engravings, such as those 

 which adorn Curtis and Hooker's Flora Londinensis, or Smith and 

 Sowerby's English Botany, had been published to assist the diligent, 

 but more commonly to spoil the indolent Botanist. 



From Mr. Hogg's valuable Tract,t appended to the second edition of 

 Brewster's History of Stockton, numerous habitats have been extracted, 

 for the south-eastern corner of the county of Durham is propitious to 

 the growth of several southern plants which here terminate their range 



died there, Mr. John Wilson, a noted Botanist of that place, and author of a Synopsis of 

 British Plants, after Mr. Ray's method. He had uncommon natural parts, which (with- 

 out the advantage of a learned education), by his own industry in study and application, 

 he had so much improved, as to become, perhaps, one of the most knowing herbalists of 

 his time ; and was, besides, a most facetious and agreeable companion, of a just, ready wit, 

 a quick descernment, a firm integrity, and candid intention, which made him vastly be- 

 loved by all his friends and acquaintance, who deeply regret the loss of so valuable a man." 



* The British Flora, by Stephen Robson, 8vo. York, 1777. 



\ The Natural History and Antiquities of Northumberland, by John Wallis, A. M., 

 2 vols., 4to. London, 1769. I am not aware that any life of the historian of Northumber- 

 land has been published, but short biographical notices of him may be seen in Hutchin- 

 son's History of Cumberland, vol. ii. p. 267, and Brewster's History of Stockton, second 

 edition, p. 391-395. To these I could have added several characteristic anecdotes communi- 

 cated to me by the Rev.G. Wilson, Rector of Wolsingham, and Mrs. Hogg, of Norton, who 

 were personally acquainted with Wallis in his latter years, but it was not in my power to 

 detail these without attaching censure to persons who neglected and treated with harsh- 

 ness so worthy and single-hearted a man in the decline of life ; and such strictures would 

 be out of place in the Transactions of this Society. On leaving Simonburn, Wallis re- 

 tired first to Billingham, and then to Norton, in the county of Durham, where he died, and 

 was interred. His tomb-stone bears the following inscription : — " Under this stone are de- 

 posited the remains of the Rev. John Wallis, A. M., who died July 19, 1793, aged 78. 

 Also of Elizabeth, his wife, who died January 13, 1 801, aged 90. A marble tablet is erect- 

 ed to their memory in the north aisle of the church.'' This tablet never was erected. 



J The Natural History of the Vicinity of Stockton on Tees, by J. Hogg, A. M. 8vo. 

 Stockton, 1827. — Forming an Appendix to Brewster's History of Stockton. 



vol. ii. p n 



