1808-1S22.] 
ROADSIDE QUARRIES L 
orbit and ball of the eye, and I have seen the specimen . 
Second, that the belladonna leaf has the singular and 
useful property, if laid on the eyelid, of causing a great 
expansion of the pupil and iris, which is of the highest 
service, in cutting for cataracts, to render visible the inner 
chambers of the eye, and, in cases of diseased pupil, by 
drawing the iris backwards in every direction, preserves it 
from contact with the central injury. 
“ But, what is most important, I have been taught to 
appreciate still more highly than I did before the value of 
the organs of vision as the fairest inlets of knowledge and 
pleasure to the soul. 
“ Passing yesterday over Kilmington Common on my 
way to Exeter, I was at a loss to find a reason why a small 
portion of that common is the only spot in England on 
which the Lobelia urens has ever been found native. 
Pray propose this as a hard question to Miss Jane, who 
I know loves difficulties, and oblige me with her theory 
on this subject. This is one of those curious questions 
relating to the geography of plants for which I despair of 
obtaining a satisfactory solution, unless from Humboldt or 
herself. I fear I have imposed on her kindness a severer 
task than I was aware of in asking for a nomenclature to 
my marine plants, the value of which will be mightily 
increased by her assistance in the arrangement of them.” 
Wherever he travelled, his eye was eagerly on the watch 
for points at which he could observe geological strata, or 
hunt for specimens. Quarries were irresistible attractions 
to him, and, fortunately enough, he possessed a friend and 
servant who tolerated his tastes. On the journey between 
Oxford and Axminster, which he made once or twice 
every year from 1812 to 1824, he rode a favourite old 
black mare, frequently caparisoned with heavy bags of 
fossils and ponderous hammers. She soon learnt her 
duty, and seemed to take an interest in her master’s 
