THE EKCHSCSOLTZIA. 35 



differs from it only in having- fiowers ut' a saffron riilour, 

 and a receptacle rather more dilated. E. rompaula has 

 smallish flowers of yellow and orange, the margin of the 

 recej)tacle almost flat. M. teiiaifolia is very distinct, the 

 leaves crowded, flowers numerous, colour yellow, the re- 

 ceptacle tubular, the margin very slightly dilated ; a very 

 gay and interesting plant. 



The plants now under notice were amongst the splendid 

 botanical acquisitions of David Douglas, one of the most 

 capable and renowned collectors employed by the Horticul- 

 tural Society. His principal explorations of the country 

 watered by the Columbia river, and of California, were 

 accompHshed in the years l.S:i5-(3-7, and the results are to 

 be seen in every garden and every catalogue of plants. He 

 obtained many of the annuals that are now the most popu- 

 lar, also the curious tribe of lilies named Calochortus, some 

 flne species of Ribes, and many more good things, not the 

 least amongst them either in magnitude or importance being 

 the magnificent Columbian fir [Abies Bougla-ti.), which in 

 its native country attains a height of oOO feet, and if we 

 may judge by the noble specimen in the grounds at Drop- 

 more, is likely to attain a similar stature in this country if 

 enabled to hold its own agamst the storms of heaven and 

 the destructive propensities of man. 



The life of David Douglas was largely chequered with 

 misfortunes. In a journal he sent, with collections of seeds, 

 insects, birds, &c., from Western America, he relates that 

 he had pursued his explorations when his knee was dis- 

 abled by an accident, and his sight was so dim that he 

 could hardly use his gun. And he humorously tells of an 

 old chief at Oak Point named Tha-a-muxci, who had a 

 profound yearning for the luxury of being shaved, and was 



