382 Monthiy Naturalist’s Reporte [May 1, 
The last month's number of the Paradisus wants the figure of the proud Abroma which will 
Be delivered next month, till when we shall defer our notice of that number. 
' Fhe present number of the Botanist’s Repository contains, 1. The great Torch Thistle, 
Cactus bexagonus ; with a miniature representation of the plant, which was seventeen feet 
high. 2. Paonia anomala. A native of most parts of Siberia; besides the one here given, 
we know no other decent figure of this plant, but that of Murray in the Commentaria 
Gottingensia. We are here informed that its roots are eaten by the Mongolian Tartars as 
wegetabies$! 3, Cynanchum mucronatum, A new species introduced by Lord Seaforth from 
Frinidad, and cultivated by Mr. Lambert. The mucronated leaves are not peculiar to this 
species. 4. Astragalus willosus. Seeds of this plant, a hardy perennial shrub, were sent to 
Ir. Swainson of Fwickenham, from Vienna under.the name of A. exscapus, which often 
acquizes a stem by culture We are, however, more inciined te take it fora variety of A. 
Dasyanthus Pall. with red stem, which is also sometimes found nearly stemless, a circumstance 
which approximates it to exseapus, with which it has several characters in common. 
5. Protea imbricata, a very good figure taken from a specimen in Mr. Hibbert’s collection. 
We are sorry that ought which we have seid should have occasioned any painful feelings 
te the highly respected president of the Linvean Society.* Upon an impartial and 
enprejudiced reconsideration of what we have ‘said, upon the subject of the unhappy broils 
Between him end Mr. Salisbury, we cannot think that there is any ‘¢ injustice in our remarks,” 
vior do we believe that the Doctor himself could have thought them unjust, had he perused 
the number of the Paradisus Londinensis, which gave occasion tothem ‘I'he di: pute between 
these learned botanists upon the subject of the Smithia sensitiva, lies in a very small compass. 
Jn a former number of the Paradisus; Mr. Salisbury had claimed the honour of dedicating 
this plant to Dr. Smith, not without making at the same time a somewhat malicious 
application of the name to its worthy prototype. In his introduction to Botany the Doctor 
took occasion to observe, that it was “ir. Dryander who named this plant, and quoted the 
authayity of Mr. Salisbury himself, who in his Prodromws horti, had positively attributed it 
to that source. kn the number of the Paradisus, which came under our notice in the 
Magazine ior February last, (not January as erroneously quoted by Dr..Smith,)} Mr. Salisbury 
still asserted, that to him alone wus owing the application of the name of Smithia sensitiva, 
but that i order to ershance the honour to his friend, he had prevailed on Mr. Dryander ta 
allow him to make use of his name, as one of higher authority in the botanical world. In our 
report we considered this as an intelligible explanation of the whole business, whilst at the 
same time we condemned Mr. Salisbuzy for divulging the secret. Dr. Smith may have 
reasons for demurring, but to us, Mr. Salisbury's explination appeared satisfactory, pe in ne 
respect derogatory to the character of the president, tor whom we entertain a sincere reyard, 
hi ticatendekcici oe nemecitg rained ens ea amceedeesgaaebeaaaneeeete) 
; NATURALIST’s MONTHLY REPORT. 
Marcu. 
Winter stifl ling’ring on the verge of spring, 
Ketires reluctant, and trem time to time 
Looks back. 
HE weather, for the first.six days of this month, was mild and pleasant. Onthe 7th the wind 
changed to the cast, in whieh quarter it continued till the 19th, when it became southerly. 
During this time, we had no rain; but from the 19th to the 22i.d, there was a considerable 
fail of wet. The wind then changed co the east again, where it continued till tne end of the 
rnonth 3 the weather diy and cold, as beiore. 
March8. ‘The water Ciswices appear in ponds and ditches, skaiting about on the surface in 
pursuit of prey. 
March 10. The ivy-leaved Veronica, (Veronica bederefolia)- and the barren Strawberry, 
( Fragaria vesea) are in flower. The goosebery and elder trees are beginning to put forth their 
leaves. 
I this day remarked for the first time, the jumping garden spider (aranea senica of Linnveus) 
wpon sunny walls in the gardens. 
Rooks ard crows are beginning to baild their nests. 
March 16. The vernal whitiow grass (Draba verna) is in flower, and now makes a pretty 
2ppearance on the sides of dry banks. 
The horse ants, (Formica bercvlanea) apprar abroad in great numbers near their nests, 
They are employed in conveying hits of sticks, straws, dry grass, &c into their retreats. 
That these little creatures are -ble to drag along such weights as we frequently observe, is - 
really wonderful ; and their pers: verance,in many cases, after numberless disappointments, exe 
* See a Letter from Dr. Smith atthe beginning of the last number of the Monthly 
Magaziae. 
. 
tremely 
