56 
OBITUARY. 
The Filiform Speedwell a British Plant. —During the past month a 
plant, hitherto unknown as a native of Britain, was found in the neighbourhood 
of Colchester, where a number of specimens have been gathered. This flower,- 
the Filiform Speedwell ( Veronica filiformis ), is a native of the Levant, and was 
introduced into England in 1780. The blossoms are of a pale blue colour, on long 
slender flower-stalks, and it partakes of the habit of the common Germanders 
(V. chamaedrys and V. arvensis). The situation in which it was found clearly 
proved that it was of spontaneous growth, and the discovery is a truly valuable 
addition to the British Flora.— Essex Literary Standard , as quoted in Sheffield 
Chronicle 9 Aug. 1838. 
OBITUARY. 
The death of the Chevalier Frederic Cuvier (the news of which reached us 
feome time ago) has awakened the deepest regret among a numerous circle of 
friends and savans. This excellent man was on his return to Paris, from one of 
those annual journies which his office of Inspector General to the University ob¬ 
liged him to make, and was seized with paralysis, at Strasbourg; the alleviation 
is contained in the reflection, that he was surrounded by friends and the best medi¬ 
cal aid, but neither affection nor skill could avail, and in four days he was no more- 
He was born at Montbeliard, in 1773, was called to Paris by his illustrious bro¬ 
ther, Baron GeorgeCuvier, and became keeper of the menagerie at the Jar din des 
Plantes in 1804, a place which enabled him to make some valuable observations 
on the economy and physiology of animals. These are published in the Annale s 
du Museum , and, with other excellent works on Natural History, led to his elec¬ 
tion into the Academy of Sciences, to the Inspector Generalship of the University, 
to the Legion of Honour, to the Royal Society of London, and lastly, to the chair 
of Comparative Physiology at the Jardin des Plantes. A remarkable coincidence 
exists between his death and that of his brother; like him, he was about to deliver 
a fresh course of lectures, was attacked by paralysis, was aware from the first 
moment of the result which must ensue, was anxious to secure the welfare of 
others, was patient under severe sufferings, and was ready to meet his God. As 
a scientific man his loss will be severely felt, for not only did he write the above- 
mentioned works, but was a contributor to several of the journals of science, and 
the principal labourer in the Histoire des Mammirfees published in coujunction 
witffM. Geoffroy St. Hilaire. As a father, a friend, and a brother to. the 
bereaved^widow who is thus again visited by heavy calamity, his loss is irreparable ; 
and as a master, the very quadrupeds of the Jardin will feel the loss of his bene¬ 
volent care. M. Cuvier has left a son, who bears his noble name with honour.—- 
Correspondent of the Athenaeum , Sept. 8, 1838. 
