[ 805:,}.: 
MONTHLY BOTANICAL REPORT. 
‘THE Botanical Mapazine for the last month contains: ‘ 
Crocus serotinus. An autumnal flowering species, approaching the sativus, or cultivated 
saftron, or perhaps still nearer to nudiflorus of English botany; with which last it seems to 
have been confounded by Dr. Smith. This plant was well known to the older botanists, 
but has not been noticed by any modern writer before Mr. Salisbury published an account of 
it in thé Paradisus Londinensis ; in whose garden at Mill-hill, formerly belonging to Peter 
Collinson, it has for many years maintained its ground under a south wall, and continues 
flowering in a mild season to December. Native of Portugal; and growing on rocks not 
far from the sea-coast, where Clusius discovered it. Found also by Pallas, in the Crimea. 
To this article Mr. Gawler has added a note on the Gladiolus imbricatus of Linnwus, which 
-from well-preserved specimens in the Pallasian Herbarium, now in the possession of Mr. 
Lambert, he finds to be the same with G. segetum, of the Botanical Magazine. He remarks 
that this species, both in its globular seeds aud fenestrate interstices between the claws of the 
petals, has a nearer affinity with Antholyza than with Gladiolus. 
Aponogeton anzustifolium, a species first distinguished from distachyon, in the Hortus 
Kewensis. It is a wacer plant, and a native cf the Cape of Good Hope. 
Lachenalia orcbioides (x). This variety appears to be so diferent from the one before 
figured, that most botanists, we apprehend, would have considered them as distinct, 
lG2 mitreeformis. Vhis is one of the most beautiful of the aloe tribe. 
Diosma specicsa. This species is very nearly allied to wniflora; indeed it appears from the 
synonimy to have been considered by the ablest botanists as the same, a specimen of it 
occurring in the Banksian Herbarium under the latter name. As cultivated in our gardens» 
they appear however to be distinct in their manner of growth, as well as number of flowers 5 
or if varieties, the one named by Dr. Sims speciosa, is by far the handsomest and most worthy 
of cultivation. i 
- Lomatia silaifolia. Native of New Holland. This genus is made out of Dr. Smith’s 
Embothrium, by Mr. Brown, from whose paper on the Proteacee the name and characters 
are borrowed. Mr. Brown has the reputation, and we beligve very deservedly, of being one 
of the abiest botanists of the present day. He is attached more to the system of Jussieu 
than of Linnzus, for which we would rather applaud than condemn him, The greater dit- 
ficulties which impede the study of the natural affinities of plants, lead to a more philosophical 
enquiry into vegetable physiology, than the study of mere artificial arrangement can ever do. 
At the same time we would strenuously recommend to every student in botany, whether he 
means to devote himself to the study of the natural orders as displayed by Jussieu, or of the 
mote artificial arrangement of Linneus, to make himself thoroughly master of the Philo- 
sophia Botanica of the latter author. He will there learn to express himself with a mathe- 
matical precision, which he will never acquire from the writings of Jussieu ; who always 
seems to bewilder himself in exceptions to general rules, by which means nothing is accurately 
defined. We are led to these reflections by considering Mr. Brown’s specific character of 
Lomatia silaifolia, in which he says “‘racemis divisis simplicibusve,” by which it appears that 
the racemes are either divided or simple, consequently this circumstance affords ro character 
that can enter into 4 definition, and ought therefore to have been excluded. If the racemes 
are usually divided, thougt not in all instances, in default of a more precise character ‘* sazpius 
divisis,” though an imperfect, would have been an admissible character; but tc speak of 
them as indifferently divided, or simple, is to give no character at all, / aay 
We were rather streck with an observation of Dr. Sims’s, that in these plants, meaning we 
suppose in the natural order of Proteacex, it might as well be said that the flowers have 
neither calyx nor corolla, but oaly stamens surrounding the pistil. Certainly in far the greater 
number of them the parts called by Linnzus corolla, by Jussieu calyx, have the appearance 
of variously expanded filameuts, aud as they bear the anthers in depressions of their sube 
stance, we do not see why they should not be considered as such. In some genera however, 
in this natural order, the anthers are supported on filaments which are inserted into the calyx 
or corolla, whichever it is to be called, and in one instance into the receptacle distinct from 
the corolla. The remark of Dr. Sims does not therefore appear to apply to the whole 
natural order, but may nevertheless be worthy of consideration. } 
Cynanchum discolor. A North American species, of late introduction, which, as Dr. Sims 
observes, is nearly allied to carolirense and suberosum, but, as he appreheads, is distinct from 
both. May atnot, by the bye, be the Cynanchum birtum of Linnzeus ? 
Dillwynia cbovata. The papilionaceous decandrous plants of New Ho%land seem to be a 
very numerous family: many of them are very beautiful, and in this respect the present 
Species will yield to few; its habit isso remarkable by the leaves growing in pairs alternately 
in an opposite direction, that we can but wonder the name of decussata was not applied to 
this plant. We do not recollect another instance of such a liabit in this natural order. 
English Botany for March contains: 
Hieracium maculatum; formerly considered by Dr. Smith as a variety of IHieracium murorunt, 
and more lately as one of H. sylvaticum. Brought from Westmoreland by Mr. Crowe to his 
Barden in Norwich, from whence ‘¢ it has established itself in gie neigroourhood, spreading 
@xtensively by seed,” 
Monvury Mac. No. 197. 2Q _ Hierscium 
