14 
gam side, rather than running the risk of 
sleeping in the jungle, and, perhaps, being 
suddenly awoke by the approach of a 
checta, or wild elephant : the latter, we are 
told, are numerous in the jungle, on every 
side of the Peak, and traces of them are 
frequently seen a good way up the cone. 
We saw none, and it is rather remarkable 
that I have never met with one, although 
I have travelled a good deal in Ceylon, 
and through parts of the island where they 
are said to abound the most. 
6th.—Remained at Ratnapoora. 
7th.—At six in the morning embarked 
on the Cala-gunga for Caliura. About four 
miles below Ratnapoora, we landed to 
visit the great Suffragam temple, con- 
sidered a place of much sanctity, and 
where the great Boodhist festivals are cele- 
brated with almost as much parade as at 
Kandy: the Peri-peri was attended last 
year by upwards of 7,000 people. At half 
past four we reached Nambepané, where 
we landed, and sl 
8th.—Set off again about six A.M.; the 
morning foggy ; the scenery uninteresting; 
tLe banks of the river covered with jungle 
to the water’s edge, sometimes opening a 
little, and affording glimpses of low hills in 
the distance, There are three rapids which, 
when the current is strong, are sometimes 
difficult to pass; but they occasioned little 
delay or impediment to us. We remarked 
a considerable variety of birds, and a great 
many monkeys among the trees. It was 
quite dark before we reached Caltura, 
where we slept, and next day arrived at 
Colombo, early in the evening, after an 
agreeable and interesting little tour, which 
we both enjoyed very much. 
BOTANICAL INFORMATION. 
Ir. ever there was a period, when, more 
than at any other, a JoURNAL was required 
which might give an account of the pro- 
gress of Botanical Science, it is surely the 
ms when, thanks to the blessings of a 
BOTANICAL INFORMATION. 
extent, which has not lately been the field 
of some botanical discoveries. And this is 
eminently the case with the vast continent 
of the New World, which, in many of its 
finest provinces, had so long been the the- 
atre of war and strife. North America, 
especially the United States, bids fair to 
have its botanical riches as well known and 
as faithfully described as many parts of 
Europe: and we are very happy to be able 
to announce that, our valued friend, Dr. 
Torrey, is preparing a “ Synopsis of North 
American Plants,” arranged according to 
the Natural method. It is a work that has 
been long called for, and it is fortunate for 
Science that the execution has fallen into 
such able hands. In this labotious employ- 
ment Dr. Asa Gray lends his valuable as- 
sistance, a gentleman who has already de- 
served well of Science by the publication of 
his “Specimens illustrative of the Grasses 
and Cyperacee of North America,” of which 
the first vol ume has ery appeared, in 
fo! lio, contai ; andit 
may fairly be slossod among the most beau- 
tiful and useful works of the kind that we 
are acquainted with. The specimens are re- 
markably well selected, skilfully prepared, 
critically studied, and carefully compared 
with those in the extensive and very au- 
thentic Herbarium of Dr. Torrey, which is 
especially rich in these two families, A 
second volume is, we believe, ere this, 
published! by the author, who has, more- - 
over, collected materials for a work of a 
similar nature on the Mosses of North 
America, under the title of “ Muscologia 
Mr. Nuttall, who, though he appears to 
have resigned the Botanical Chair in the 
University of Harvard College, seems to 
be as ardently devoted to Natural History, 
and especially Botany, as ever. In the 
ransactions of the American Philosophical 
Society he has commenced his “ Collections 
towards a Flora of the Territory of Ar- 
kansas,” arranged according to the Natural 
Orders. This memoir will prove extremely 
1 This volume has, while this sheet is in the press, 
reached this country; and the two volames are now 
on sale here, as well as in America. 
