92 REPORT— 1839. 



this country. India could supply all the cotton Great Britain can ever 

 require, even from her indigenous plants, but for local obstacles. The 

 soil, favourable to the growth of this article, however, is situated in a 

 central region removed from the coast, and the trade consequently la- 

 bours under the difficulty attendant on a lengthened journey by land. 

 This will not be the case when the cotton is grown on the lighter soils 

 of the coast. Here every facility exists for its exportation ; for there is 

 no doubt that an article equally good might be obtained at a much 

 cheaper rate than that now procured from America. 



On the Introduction of a species of Auchenin into Britain, for the 

 purpose of obtaining Wool. By W. Danson, Esq. 



Samples and manufactured specimens of Alpaca wool, in imitation 

 of silk, and (without die) as black as jet, were exhibited; and Mr. 

 Danson stated, that the animals producing it ought to be propagated 

 in England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales; and to the two latter places 

 the Alpaca is well suited, being an inhabitant of the Cordilleras, or 

 mountainous district in Peru. Importations have already taken place 

 to the extent of one million of pounds, and are likely to increase. 

 There are five species of Llamas, of which the Alpaca has fine wool, 

 six to twelve inches long, as shown by the specimens exhibited, the 

 Llamas, the hair of vvhich is very coarse, and the " Vicuna," which has 

 a very short fine wool, more of the beaver cast. The Earl of Derby 

 has propagated the Alpaca in his private menagerie at Knowsley, and 

 Mr. Danson understood that Mr. Stephenson, at Oban, in Scotland, 

 has a few of these animals. The wool of these animals would not enter 

 into competition with the wool of the sheep, but rather with silk. It is 

 capable of the finest manufacture, and is specially suited to the fine 

 shawl trade of Paisley, Glasgow, &c. The yarns spun from it are 

 already sent to France in large quantities, at from Qs. to 12^. 6d. per 

 pound, the price of the raw Alpaca wool being now 2«. and 2s. 6d. per 

 pound. 



On some recent additions to the English Flora. By Charles 

 C. Babington, M.A., F.L.S., F.G.S., ^c. 



The author stated that the following plants had recently been intro- 

 duced into the list of natives of England, and made some verbal obser- 

 vations upon their claim to be considered indigenous, and upon their 

 specific distinctions : viz. 



Nasturtium anceps, Reich. 

 Cardamine sylvatica, Link. 

 Sinapis cheiranthus, Koch. 

 Polygala oxyptera, Reich. ? 

 Dianthus pluraarius, Linn. 

 Spergula vulgaris, Boening. 

 Stellaria umbrosa, Reich. 

 Hypericum linarifoliura, Vahl. 

 Oxalis stricta, Linn. 

 Medicago apiculata, Willd. 



Arthrolobium ebracteatum, Desv. 

 Myriophyllum alterniflorura, DeC. 

 Callitriche platycarpa, Kutz. 

 Hypochseris balbisii, Lois. 

 Hieracium pelliterianum, DeC. 

 Senecio erraticus, Bert. 

 Orobanche barbata, Reich. 

 Scrophvilaria Ehrharti, C A. Stev. 

 Allium sibericum, Willd. 

 Iris tuberosa, Linn. 



