pride that the western hemisphere excels either Africa, Asia, or Europe, by a memorable difference also in the number of its plants. Therefore it is, that new discoveries in botany are more expected from America than from any other region or country: the more the soil is explored, the richer is the harvest it affords to the man of science.

In 1798, a second fasciculus appeared: they are justly ranked among the standard works, being the authorities on which the systematic compilers

rest.

1798. Thomas Horsfield published, at Philadelphia, his Experimental Dissertation on the three species of rhus, commonly called poison ash, poison vine, and common sumach.

1798. At Copenhagen and Leipsic was now published, the Descriptiones Plantarum quarundam Surinamensium, of Christian F. Rottböll. To these are added his observations on the medical and economical virtues of the Surinam vegetables. The work is a thin folio, illustrated by figures. The plants described are about a dozen in number, as they were found by the editor in the dry herbarium of Mr. Rolander. Rottböll has done the best he could to give them a fair exhibition. The remarks on the qualities and uses of the plants were made by Rolander himself, and have been merely retouched and methodized by Rottböll.

I wish it was in my power to state the particulars of the great exertions for the improvement of American botany made by the kings of Spain. There is not, perhaps, a government upon earth that has expended so much money, for the advancement of this branch of natural history, as that of the Castilian monarchs. The reign of Charles IV. has, in an eminent degree, been distinguished for its promotion of the physical sciences. The sums expended in the expeditions of Signr. Ruiz and Pavon to Peru,

and of Messrs. Sesse and Mocino to New Spain, and of Don Mutis to New Granada, are stated, on the most respectable authority, to have amounted to three hundred and seventy thousand dollars! beside superb botanical gardens at Mexico, Manilla, Canary, and other places.

I have seen a prospectus of Tussac's Flora of the Antilles, offered for publication at Paris. Mr. Bonpland's equinoctial plants, published at the same time, are said to be very fine. Mr. Titford's American hortus, comprehending the plants of the West Indies, and of the tropical and continental regions of America, is a performance that promises very little. Of Samuel Stearns' American Herbist it is barely sufficient to make mention, for the sake of letting you know that I have looked at it.

Being about to close the summary, which I am able to give, of the transactions during the eighteenth century, I cannot do so without laying before you the names of some excellent catalogues.

In the Memoirs of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Vol. I. there is a list of the vegetables examined in the parts of New-England which he visited, by Manasseh Cutler, D. D. a gentleman so mild in his manners, and so ardent in his researches, that I consider an acquaintance with him one of the very pleasing incidents of my life. In the Transactions of the American Philosophical Society, Henry Muhlenberg's Index Flora Lancastriensis, and supplement, are instructive documents. The correspondence with this learned, skilful, and industrious botanist, has afforded me much instruction. Dr. Caspar W. Eddy's Planta Plandomenses may be considered as a valuable and practical enumeration of the maritime plants growing in the vicinity of New-York. It gratifies me highly to state the very favourable opinion I have formed of the amiable temper and botanical proficiency of this candi

date for scientific distinction. His performance is a good manual for the young botanist who explores the adjacent region. A full share of credit and praise is also due to a botanical labourer, John Le Conte, Esq. for the ability he has manifested in his catalogue of the vegetables growing in our island of Manhattan. This list may be seen in the second volume of the American Medical and Philosophical Register, published in this city, and may be pronounced to be at once a proof of the author's scientific proficiency, and of the help he has given to those who may follow his footsteps.

To these respectable publications I feel satisfaction in adding my favourable opinion on the catalogue of the Bartram Garden, at Kingsess, in Pennsylvania. It was published in 1807, and is an interesting botanical document.

Bernard M'Mahon deserves to be mentioned among those who have done service to the cause. Beside the information for the culture of plants, under almost all circumstances, contained in his excellent work, The Gardener's Calendar, he has likewise inserted therein several catalogues of plants, calculated to aid the florist, the nurseryman, and botanist in an eminent degree. I quote the Medical Repository, vol. 16. p. 420, for other botanical intelligence concerning our country. "Mr. Masson," it is said, "passed through NewYork, on his way to Canada, about 1797. Mr. Charles Whitlow has beheld, with botanical eyes, the West Indies, New Spain, and many districts around New-York. During a part of the same period, the two Frasers explored our country in various directions, for the purpose of acquiring a more circumstantial account of its vegetables. Mr. Pursh, who has for several years cultivated botany in New York, is now engaged in diffusing the fruits of his discoveries, in London, to the Euro

peans. Lastly, New York has had the pleasure of beholding Mr. Bradbury, since his return from the land of the Ricaras, on the high Missouri. He came loaded with the vegetable and mineral specimens which he found during his journey. Among the plants there appear to be many new species.'

And last of all, I add, the elaborate and well-digested catalogue of the plants growing in Elgin Garden, at the time of its purchase by the commonwealth of New-York. By the assistance of this precious document, the acquirement of the knowledge of plants by those who seek it at this place, is greatly facilitated. The names and terms are modernized, and brought up to the latest dates. The author merits the thanks of the botanical student, and the lovers of science generally, for this instructive performance, which was printed in 1811, at this place. It is a choice manual of practice; and will be a durable monument of the industry and learning of David Hosack.

The History of Botanical Events during the nineteenth century.

1801. Here I mention, with pleasure, the Retrospect of the Eighteenth Century, by my able and intelligent friend, Samuel Miller, D. D. It is not my design to give an analysis of a work which has already undergone the ordeal of criticism with honour, but merely to refer to those chapters of it which relate to botany and natural history, as magazines of valuable facts and opinions, and references to the best authorities extant on the respective subjects.

1801. Andrew Michaux laid before the public, at Paris, in French, his history, in folio, of the North American oaks. He has exerted himself ably and usefully in extricating the species of this

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important genus from the obscurity and confusion in which they lay. All botanists and rural economists ought to thank him for disentangling so difficult a part of the subject; and to that acknowledgment he will be the more entitled from the care he has taken to annex correct drawings to the exact descriptions he has given of the individuals constituting the species and varieties of the quercus. The thirty-six oaks he enumerates, show the richness of our forests in producing these invaluable trees. The French monarchy patronized the labours of this perspicuous botanist.

1802. Appeared in Philadelphia, the experimental botanico-medical essay on the tree called Pride of China, by Grafton Duvall.

1803. The Flora Boreali-Americana, of the same Andrew Michaux, was now published at Paris, in two volumes, 8vo. This excellent botanist resided a long time near Hackensack, a few miles from this city, in the county of Bergen, N. J. Another dwelling place that he had was in South Carolina. During twelve years, he explored the regions of North America with the most commendable diligence, between the Gulf of Mexico and Hudson's bay. The result of his minute and extensive inquiries make a very important body of intelligence. Michaux has done great things for the plants growing within the United States; his researches were diversified, and are indeed invaluable. He has described many new species: from some of these he has formed new genera. By an examination of many plants, at the places where they grow, and in the several stages of their progress, he has been able to divide some genera, to constitute others, to invent new names, and to make a corresponding distribution of species.

Michaux's work may be said to form an era in the botany of our country. It is made to conform