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LVI. On Benthamia fragifera, and the Climate of Mussooree its 

 native country. By J. F. Royle, Esq. F. L. and G. S. 

 M. A. R. S. $c. 8f C . 



Read May 6, 1834. 



This very showy and ornamental plant, whether seen in the 

 time of inflorescence or when in fruit, being a highly desirable 

 acquisition to the shrubberies of England, for which they are 

 indebted to the Himalaya Mountains, it becomes an interesting 

 point to ascertain whether it is likely to withstand the cold and 

 changes of our English climate. The most satisfactory mode of 

 determining this, being to ascertain the place where a plant natu- 

 rally grows, the plants with which it is associated and the climate 

 to which they are all subjected, I purpose on the present occasion 

 entering into a few details, which may perhaps be useful in the 

 cultivation of this as well as of many other plants from the same 

 regions ; for it is to be hoped that a commencement only has been 

 made to the introduction of the plants of the Himalaya into the 

 gardens of England. 



Benthamia fragifera, a shrub named by Dr. Lindley in honour of 

 George Bentham, Esq. the Secretary of the Horticultural Society, 

 has its specific name, " strawberry-bearing," from the large globular 

 reddish fruit which at a little distance offers considerable resem- 

 blance to the fruit of the Strawberry ; on which account, by tra- 

 vellers in the Himalaya, it is frequently called the Strawberry tree ; 

 the native name in the part of the Hills I am acquainted with, is 

 ihurmul. The fruit is eaten by the Hill people, and though without 

 flavour has not an unpleasant taste. 



This plant was first described by Dr. Wallich under the name 



