178 



Catalogue of Plants 



[Jan. 



whose size, indeed, is sufficient to render such an occurrence extremely 

 improbable, even if actual examination did not demonstrate the fact to 

 be as we have stated ; and the extensive portion of land in Salsette, 

 which is dry at low water, is situated beyond the influence of any cur- 

 rent save that of the tide, which it must be admitted, however, is ex- 

 tremely powerful. 



There seems no reason, then, for supposing that this bank has been 

 formed by matter forced down by the agency of running water from 

 the ghauts, as some have concluded, because, it exists where there are 

 no rivers to produce accumulations, and it is broadest at the mouths of 

 the smallest rivers. 



In bringing forward proofs of extensive changes and violent convul- 

 sions, we have endeavoured to exclude theoretical considerations, and 

 probability is only implied when we observe that the different islands 

 in the bay may have been the continuation of the high land in Salsette 

 and Tull, whose communications have been submersed, and whose 

 basis are now washed by the overwhelming waters of the ocean. 

 Records of General Science. April and May 1835. 



2.—- Catalogue of Plants collected at Bombay. — By John Graham, Esq. 



We believe this to be the first attempt at communicating any infor- 

 mation with regard to the botanical productions of this beautiful part 

 of the western peninsula of Hindostan. The catalogue constitutes the 

 gleanings of a few occasional minutes snatched by our excellent friend 

 (with whom we have spent many a pleasant hour in botanizing amid 

 the sylvan recesses of India) from the ingrossing avocations of his 

 official duties. He has set an example which those who possess more 

 spare time would do well to imitate,— Edit. Records. 



1. Alpinia nutans. — 2. Achyranthes a^era. A common weed. — 3. 

 Asclepias gigantea. Very common throughout India. The natives 

 apply the milky acrid juice to sores. — 4. Asclepias acida. This is a 

 rare plant; I found it last August (1834) on the plains to the south of 

 Aurungabad ; also in the neighbourhood of Poona. — 5. Asclepias 

 annulare. — 6. Asclepias formossissima. I have only seen this species 

 in gardens, but, I believe, it is a native of India. — 7- Asclepias odora- 

 tissima. This too I have only seen in gardens, and very rare. — 8, 

 Amaryllis Zeylonica. A very beautiful plant; I do not think it is to be 

 found within this neighbourhood. — 9. Asparagus falcatus. Large 

 bushes of this shrubby species are common in the Deccan ; it requires 

 support and is generally found overtopping some other shrub ; it is 

 rather a pretty plant.— 10. Aloe littoralis. The fibres of its long leaves 



