128 THE NATURALIST. 



At page 19 and sequel we have a review of the different descriptions^ 

 &c., given hj English and Continental botanists of Mosa tomeniosa, Sm. 

 which as being of great value, and being the result of much research, I have 

 transcribed in full, and also because I am of opinion that such a review ought 

 to be chronicled amongst our English botanists and not left altogether in the 

 hands of our Erench brethren. 



M, Deseglise writes : — " Mr. J. Gr. Baker in his letter (to the author,) 

 6th February, 1865, gives me the following information : — ' The herbarium 

 of Smith includes under the name of M. tomentosa seven specimens ; — 



1st. — *'Ehrhart, arb. 45; B. villosa, L. ; Hanover (printed ticket) herb. Davall, 

 1802." 



"Petioles covered with, a soft down, glands numerous ; terminal leaflet typically oval, 

 grey, hairy on its upper surface ; bracts hairy on the back, and strongly glandulose all 

 over ; tube of the calyx straitly oval. I cannot see the under surface of the leaves." 



2nd. — " Switzerland, Schleicher." 



"Leaves less villose above than in No. 1, villose and very glandulose beneath on the 

 whole surface ; petioles coarsely glandular ; the bracts are less villose on the back, and 

 the leaves less villose above than No, 1 ; calyx the same." 



3rd. — " County of Nottingham, rather common. G. Jellow, 1824." 



" Petioles very glandulose and covered with numerous prickles ; calyx-tube broader 

 and shorter. This is, 1 think, your Bosa cuspidata, and resembles the plant given under 

 the name oi tomeniosa, in "Woods' Collection." 



4th.—* ' Saint Tanks (Norwich) 1779." 



5th.— "Arninghall Wood, 2oth June, 1801." 

 "Kesemble No. 2." 



6th.— " County of Cambridge. Rev. — Holme, 1801." 



" Leaves villose above, strongly glandulose and somewhat villose beneath ; bracts 

 very glandulose on the back and the prickles curved ; calyx-tube oval. This specimen 

 is altogether different from the others, and is allied either to Jundzilliana or a neigh- 

 bouring form." 



7th.— " Anglesea, 1802. Rev. H. Davies." 



' ' Either your tomentosa or very near it ! A few strong glands on the petiole and the 

 under surface of the leaf ; ripe fruit ovoid, and the calyx divisions are still persistent on 

 one of the specimens. " 



" I may then say that the seven specimens represent five different forms ; 2, 4, and 

 5 being the mogt common in England and in English herbaria ; none of them being 

 exactly either your tomentosa or your cuspidata, but something intermediate between 

 them."— (J. G. Baker, letter, 6th Feb., 1865.) 



The seven specimens of Smith's Herbarium, are far from throwing 

 light on the specific question on which we are engaged. 



Smith has taken for his type the rarest form, without troubling him- 

 self about the other species which might he hidden under the name of R. 

 villosa^ L. ; I am led to form this opinion from having received from Mr. 



