PRESIDENT'S address. 
667 
determined, and the immutability of each verified by both 
botanists. Smith joined so keenly in the study that the “ Flora 
Britannica ” and “English Botany” contain much fuller 
descriptions than had yet appeared of British willows. More- 
over, the postponement of Vol. iii. of “ Flora Britannica ” 
had enabled Smith, during the springs of 1800 and 1801, to 
more fully “ investigate the difficult Genus Salix, which I have 
already written twice over, and in which the work will be more 
likely to merit the praise of labour and originality than perhaps 
in any other part, though it will still contain only an imperfect 
sketch of the subject.” Sir James Smith enumerated 141 
species of willows in Rees’ “ Cyclopaedia” published in 1819; 
this number was mainly due to his researches among James 
Crowe’s willows at Lakenham. 
Dr. Smith says that James Crowe was “a most excellent 
British Botanist” 1 ’; he was able to render much assistance to 
Dr. Smith in writing various parts of “ English Botany.” 
Crowe’s annotated copy of Hudson’s “ Flora Anglica ” (ed. i.) 
is preserved in the library of the Linnean Society, and it 
contains many references to Norfolk. 
44 It is impossible to do justice to James Crowe without 
realising him as an ardent politician. Being a genuine old 
English Whig, and having in 1770 married Margaret, daughter 
of Dr. John Beevor, of Norwich, he displayed much activity 
in the Beevor and Hobart contest in 1786, as Chairman of 
Sir Thomas Beevor’s Norwich supporters at the Angel in 
the Market Place (site of the present Royal Arcade). The 
supporters of the Hon. Henry Hobart met at the King’s Head 
(site of Davey Place). 44 
James Crowe is frequently referred to in the weekly issues 
of the “ New Election Budget,” e.g . : — 
“To my cousin of Tuck’s Wood, I gratitude owe, 
my botanical friend, the immaculate Cr-we ! ” 
The Hobart supporters announce among the portrait gallery 
in the Election Booth to be erected in the Market Place : — 
“ To the left of the mirrour is a lively portrait of the 
VOL. X. 
c 
