Chapter XV: Front Matter (15)

3. Field strawberries beginning to ripen. Piony in flower.

4. High blackberry (_Rubus villosus_) in full flower.
Broad-leafed laurel (_Kalmia latifolia_) beginning to blossom.

7. Snow-ball, guelder-rose (_Viburnum opulus_) in full flower.
Radishes fit for the table.

12. Our farmers begin to mow their first crop of grass in low
land. Large white rose (_Rosa alba_) in full flower.

21. Red currants beginning to ripen in plenty. Blackberried elder
(_Sambucus canadensis_) beginning to blossom.

27. Indian corn tasseling. Black raspberries beginning to ripen.
Nodding lily (_Lilium canadense_) in flower.

29. Potato (_Solanum tuberosum_) in full flower.

_July_ 1. Red raspberry (_Rubus strigosus_) beginning to ripen.
Poppy (_Papaver somniferum_) in flower.

_July_ 5. Chestnut-tree (_Castanea Americana_) flowering.

6. Large red cherry (_Prun. ceras._) fully ripe. String beans fit
for the table.

Perhaps we never experienced a greater degree of heat in this part of the country than has been felt for three days past. A number of hives of honey have melted during the heat.

14. Cucumbers fit for the table.

15. Rye fit for the sickle.

16. Black whortleberries (_Vaccinium resinosum_) ripening.

19. Early potatoes fit for the table. Indian corn (green) fit for
the table.

20. Jenneting apples ripe.

21. Choke cherries (_Prun. serotina_) ripe.

26. Gooseberries ripening.

_August_ 1. Martins departed.

5. Barn and bank swallows collecting in millions, upon our
islands in the river, to depart.

12. Blackberries ripe.

20. Thorn apple (_Datura stramonium_) in full flower.
Elderberries fully ripe.

_September_ 1. Common pear fully ripe. Rare-ripe peaches fully
ripe.

6. Bergamot pears fully ripe.

17. Great grapes (_Vitis æstivalis_) fully ripe. Frost grapes
(_Vitis cordifolia_) ripening.

21. Butternuts beginning to fall from the tree.

24. Our farmers busily engaged in harvesting their corn.

26. Butternut defoliating.

28. Elm beginning to defoliate.

_October_ 2. Chestnut burrs opening. Tree defoliating.

8. Sugar-maple and sycamore defoliating.

26. Blackbirds arrived again. Squirrels in plenty in our woods,
though chestnuts and walnuts are scarce. Butternuts plenty. Cider
and apples in great abundance.

_November_ 20. Wild geese returning to the southern regions.

1812.

_March_ 21. Blackbirds, woodpeckers, and robins arrived. Wild
geese passed over.

23. Bees out of the hive.

_April_ 3. Black ducks arrived. Large flocks of pigeons passed
over.

9. Flower-buds of the elm considerably swoln.

11. Skylarks arrived.

12. Frogs begin to sing.

13. Leaf-buds of the soft maple (_Acer rubrum_) much swoln.

13. Leaf-buds of the gooseberry much swoln.

16. Early garden peas sown.

19. Dandelion (_Leon. tarax._) in full flower. Blue or meadow
violet (_V. cucullata_) in flower. Leaves of the lilac beginning
to expand. Our farmers busily engaged in ploughing for sowing.

23. Peas and oats sown, and Indian corn planted.

25. Swallows arrived, and whippoorwills begin to sing.

27. Leaves of the gooseberry, and willow (_Salix Muhlenbergii_)
beginning to expand.

_May_ 5. Martins arrived.

10. Asparagus fit for the table. Blood-root (Sang. canadensis) in
full flower.

11. Chili garden strawberries beginning to blossom. Flower-buds
of the lilac swoln.

12. Elm in full flower. Leaves of the meadow violet beginning to
expand.

13. Garden violet (_V. tricolor_) in flower.

14. Field strawberries in full flower. Shad-bush (_Aronia
botryapium_) in blossom.

15. English cherry beginning to flower.

19. Winter pear beginning to blossom.

22. Hummingbirds arrived. Large white plum (_Prunus domestica_)
in full flower. Butternut beginning to flower.

23. Flower-buds of the peach (_Amydalus persica_) beginning to
expand. Gooseberry in flower.

_May_ 27. Apple-trees beginning to blossom.

29. Early garden lettuce (_Lactuca sativa_) fit for the table.

30. Apple-trees in full flower.

31. Night-hawks arrived.

Vegetation has put forth more to appearance in three days past than in all the spring before. Nature seems to revive from a state of torpidity, from the warm and invigorating rays of the sun. The month of May has been more backward than the month of April, 1811. The observation of elderly people, that the month of April, old style, was never known to terminate without producing apple-blossoms, has by no means been verified this year, they being now (June 1st.) in full flower. The snow upon the mountains, thirty or forty miles back, is at a great depth; so deep, that on the warm day of the 29th our river rose a foot from its melting. Diseases of the chronic kind have been peculiarly severe for three months past. The gladsome return of the cheering warmth will probably renovate the enfeebled constitutions of many of our aged people.

_June_ 1. House flies arrived.

5. Choke cherry (_Prun. serotin._) in full flower. Honeysuckle
apple (_Azalea nudiflora_) in full flower.

8. Piony in full flower. Snowball (_Viburnum opulus_) in full
flower. Flower-de-luce (_Iris versicolor_) in blossom.

11. Early peas in blossom. Carraway (_Carum carui_) in flower.

15. Locust-tree (_Robin. pseudacac._) in full flower. Field
strawberries beginning to ripen.

18. Common red clover in full flower. Cranesbill (_Geranium
maculatum_) in blossom. Red raspberry in full flower.

23. Chili strawberries beginning to ripen. Garden sage (_Salvia
officinalis_) in full flower.

29. Our farmers busily engaged in haying.

30. Large red rose, large white rose, and damask rose (_Rosa
damascena_) in flower.

_July_ 1. White pond lily (_Nymphæa odorata_) in flower.

4. Black elder (_Sambucus canadensis_) in full flower.

7. Early peas fit for the table. Red and white currants ripening.

8. Nodding lily (_Lilium canadense_) in flower.

11. Garden beans (_Phaseolus vulgaris_) in full flower. Chestnut
in flower. Black raspberries ripening.

20. Early corn tasseled (_Zea mays._ Variety _præcox._) Red
raspberries fully ripe.

22. Whortleberries ripe (_Vaccin. resinos._)

24. Cucumbers fit for the table.

28. Early potatoes fit for the table.

29. Rye fit for the sickle. Early garden squashes (_Cucurbita
Melo-pepo_) fit for the table.

_August_ 2. Jenneting apples ripening.

5. Early corn fit for the table.

8. Wheat (_Triticum hyburnum_) fit for the sickle.

28. Summer peas ripening.

_September_ 4. Watermelons and muskmelons ripe.

5. Swallows departed.

6. Elderberries fully ripe.

11. Choke cherries and wild cherries (_Prunus virginiana_) ripe.

12. Yellow plum (_Prunus chicasa_) fully ripe.

15. Butternut beginning to fall from the tree.

16. Our farmers making their first cider.

22. Great grapes ripe.

_October_ 2. Butternut and elm beginning to defoliate.
Chestnut-burrs beginning to open.

9. Our farmers beginning to harvest their Indian corn.

1818.

_March_ 11. Bluebirds arrived.

13. Woodpeckers, robins, and blackbirds arrived. Bees out of the
hive.

_March_ 14. Broad-leaved panic grass (_Panicum latifolium_)
beginning to sprout on a southern exposure, while there is
sleighing in the street. A solitary spathe of skunk-cabbage
(_Pothos fœtida_) beginning to show itself on the same exposure.
Leaves of curled dock (_Rumex crispa_) appeared in the same
place. Maple-trees tapped for sugar.

16. _Pothos fœtida_ in full flower.

25. Black ducks arrived. Catkins of the poplar-tree (_Populus
tremuloides_) expanded. Catkins of the speckled willow (_Salix
Muhlenbergiana_) expanded.

30. Wild geese arrived. Phœbe arrived.

It began to rain hard on the first of March, and continued raining two days and a half, which nearly carried off an immense body of snow which enveloped the ground. Our rivers, which were more firmly locked with ice than they had been before known for many years to be, rose above their usual bounds, and swept the ice with such rapidity down their channels as to destroy most of the bridges on Connecticut river, besides doing immense damage in other respects. Our meadows were nearly all under ice and water; and at that time a great explosion was heard in the north meadows, two miles from the street, similar to the noise of a cannon. It was occasioned by the throwing up of an immense quantity of frozen ground, which is a great curiosity. The cause is not yet satisfactorily explained. The weather was very warm and pleasant from the 4th to the 22d. What snow the rain did not carry off was melted by the sun during the pleasant weather. Vegetation had begun to put forth rapidly, and many of our birds of passage had arrived. A storm, which commenced on the 22d, as rapidly retarded the progress of vegetation as it was before accelerated, and the remainder of the month was gloomy and uncomfortable. Mud mid-leg deep in the streets.

_April_ 7. Flower-buds of the elm (_Ulmus americana_) beginning
to swell.

_April_ 8. Leaf-buds of the lilac (_Syring. vulg._) beginning to
swell.

10. Leaf-buds of the soft or meadow maple (_Acer rubrum_)
beginning to swell. Black alder (_Alnus serrulata_) in flower.
American hazel (_Corylus americana_) in flower, and its catkins
appearing.

11. Fair and pleasant, after a long storm. It has rained sixteen
days in succession. Frogs begin to sing. Leaf-buds of the English
cherry (_Prunus cerasus_) black heart beginning to swell. Garden
peas sown.

12. Flies in myriads arrived in our streets. Catkins of the
butternut (_Juglans cinerea_) beginning to swell. Saxifrage
(_Saxifraga virginiensis_) in flower.

13. Skylarks arrived.

14. Sweet fern (_Comptonia asplenifolia_) in flower. White birch
(_Betula populifolia_) in flower.

16. Our farmers beginning to plough for spring wheat.

18. Bank swallows arrived.

19. Leaf-buds of the currant, the gooseberry, and the apple,
considerably swoln.

20. Dandelion (_Leon. tarax._) beginning to flower. _Viola
cucullata_ beginning to blossom.

22. Our farmers ploughing for peas and oats. The snow upon the
hills 20 miles north and west from Deerfield is two feet and a
half deep, and the winds from those quarters are so chilly as to
retard the progress of vegetation. Icicles scarcely melted upon
the south side of buildings in Halifax, Vermont; and it is too
cold for making sugar.

25. Blood-root (_Sanguinaria canadensis_) in flower on a warm
south side hill. Leaves of the English gooseberry beginning
to expand. Venus's pride (_Houstonia cœrulea_) in flower.
Early life-everlasting, (_Gnaphalium plantagineum_) crowfoot,
(_Ranunculus fascicularis_) tooth-root, (_Dentaria laciniata_)
and meadow-rue (_Thalictrum cornutum_) in full flower.

26. Trailing arbutus (_Epigaea repens_) in full flower. Leaves
of the barberry (_Berberis vulgaris_) beginning to expand.
Five-finger, (_Potentilla pumilla_) adder's-tongue, (_Erythronium
dens-canis_) liver-leaf, (_Hepatica triloba_) and wind-flower,
(_Anemone nemorosa_) in flower.

_April_ 27. Early potatoes and early corn planted. Elm in full
flower.

29. Water crowfoot (_Ranunculus sceleratus_) and American cowslip
(_Caltha palustris_) in full flower.

30. Daffodil (_Narcissus pseudo-narcissus_) and rue-anemone
(_Anemone thalictroides_) in flower.

_May_ 1. Soft maple (_Acer rubrum_) in flower.

2. Martins arrived.

3. Leaves of the gooseberry beginning to expand.

4. Leaves of the currant and lilac beginning to expand. Pigeons
arrived.

5. Wood bulrush (_Juncus sylvaticus_) in flower. A great freshet
in our meadows, from the melting of the snow upon the mountains,
and from the great rain which has continued nearly a month. Beth.
nodding trillion (_Trillium rhomboideum_) in flower.

7. Flowers of the garden violet (_V. tricolor_) beginning to
expand.

8. The young heads of asparagus breaking the ground.

9. Our farmers busily engaged in planting their Indian corn,
though the weather is excessively cold. Sowed onions, parsnips,
&c.

10. Bobylincolns (_Bob of lincolns_) arrived. Flower-buds of the
lilac appearing.

11. Field strawberries (_Fragaria virginiana_) in full flower.
Colts-foot (_Tussilago farfara_) in flower.

12. Whip-poor-wills begin to sing.

13. Spice-bush (_Laurus benzoin_) in full flower. A freshet in
the meadows.

14. Goldthread (_Coptis trifolia_) in full flower.

15. Rattlesnake violet (_Viola primulifolia_) in full flower.

16. Chimney swallows arrived.

17. Leaves of the apple-tree expanding. Sugar maple (_Acer
saccharinum_) in full flower. Garden daisy (_Bellis perennis_) in
full flower.

_May_ 18. Asparagus fit for the table.

19. Smooth gooseberry (_Ribes uva-crispa_) in flower.

20. Shad-bush (_Aron. botryap._) in flower.

21. House wrens arrived. Moose-wood (_Dirca palustris_) in flower.

22. Garden currant (_Ribes rubrum_) beginning to flower.

24. Wake-robin (_Trillium cernuum_) and peas (_Pyrus communis_)
in flower.

25. Our mountain scenery diversified. Weather very warm. Garden
potatoes and garden corn, planted on the 27th April, breaking
the ground. Garden beans, cucumbers, squashes, watermelons, &c.
planted.

26. Damson plum (_Prunus domestica_) and yellow or wild plum
(_Prunus chicasa_) in flower. Elder (_Sambucus canadensis_) in
flower. Carolina chatterer arrived.

27. Garden gooseberry (_Ribes grossularia_) and avens (_Geum
rivale_) in blossom. Weather intensely warm. Thermometer at 86°
at 2 o'clock, P. M. yesterday.

29. Apple-trees in full flower. Night-hawk arrived.

30. Choke cherries (_Prun. Serotin._) in flower.

31. Lilac in full flower.

The weather till the last week in May was very cold and rainy. Perhaps we have never known more gloomy weather than that of the first twenty days of the month. The last week in the month of May was unusually warm and fine. Vegetation has put forth more within this week than it has in all the season before. The blossoms on apple-trees are scanty, and there is but little prospect of fruit. Peach-trees in the vicinity of this place were all killed by the extreme cold winter.

_June_ 1. Hummingbirds arrived.

2. Honeysuckle apple (_Azalea nudiflora_) in full flower.

3. Blue-eyed grass, (_Sisyrinchium anceps_) _Krigia virginica_,
and thorn-bush (_Cratægus coccinea_) in flower. Garden seeds,
planted on the 25th ult. have vegetated 3 or 4 inches high.
Garden rhubarb (_Rheum tataricum_) in flower.

_June_ 4. Garden rocket (_Hesperis pinnatifida_) in flower.

6. Yellow water lily (_Nuphar advena_) in full flower.
Flower-de-luce (_Iris virginica_) in flower. Garden peas in full
flower.

The weather for twelve days past has been unusually warm and sultry. The thermometer, much of the time in the middle of the day, has stood at 84°, and vegetation has put forth with astonishing rapidity.

8. House-flies arrived.

9. Horse-radish (_Cochlearea armoracea_) and peony in full flower.

10. Chives (_Allium schænoprasum_) in full flower.

11. Smooth stem lichnidea (_Phlox maculata_) in full flower. Our
farmers busily engaged in hoeing their corn.

12. Fumitory (_Fumaria officinalis_) in full flower.

13. Field strawberries beginning to ripen.

14. Locust-tree (_Robinia pseudacacia_) in full flower.

15. Locusts appearing in the south part of the town. The last
time of their appearance here was in the year 1801. Their
periodical returns are once in seventeen years. Their appearance
in the years 1733, 1750, 1767, 1784, and 1801, is recorded on
the town-book. They first attack the leaves of the black oak
(_Quercus nigra_.)

16. Small red rose in flower.

17. _Rosa caroliniensis_ in full flower.

18. Garden sage (_Salvia officinalis_) in flower.

19. Mock syringa (_Philadelphus coronarius_) in flower.

20. Tulip-tree, commonly called cypress or white-wood
(_Liriodendron tulipifera_) in blossom.

21. Carnation pink (_Dianthus caryophyllus_) in flower.

22. Our farmers commenced haying. An immense crop of grass on the
ground.

23. Side-saddle flower (_Sarracenia purpurea_) in flower.

24. Common St. John's wort (_Hypericum perforatum_) in full
flower.

_June_ 26. Garden radishes fit for the table.

27. Early garden peas fit for the table. Weather intensely warm.

28. American lime or linden-tree (_Tilia americana_) in flower.

30. Flax (_Linum usitatissimum_) in full flower. Thermometer in
the shade at 2 P. M. 100°.

Vegetation has put forth and increased with a more astonishing rapidity this month than has ever been known. Notwithstanding the spring was very backward, the season now is forward. Our farmers commenced their first haying about a week earlier than they did last year.

_July_ 1. White water lily (_Nymphæa odorata_) in flower.

3. Red and white currants ripening. Yellow day lily
(_Hemerocallis flava_) and _Lilium canadense_ in full flower.

4. Cucumbers and watermelons in flower. Early summer corn (_Zea
mays_, variety _præcox_) beginning to tassel. Garden rue (_Ruta
graveoleus_), mustard (_Sinapis nigra_), motherwort (_Leonorus
cardiaca_) and mullein (_Verbascum thapsus_) in full flower.
Blue whortleberries (_Vaccinium frondosum_) beginning to ripen.
Dewberry (_Rubus trivialis_) ripening.

5. Poppy (_Papaver somniferum_) in flower.

6. Garden squashes (_Cucurbita Melo-pepo_) in flower.

7. Red raspberry fully ripe.

10. Black raspberry fully ripe.

11. String-beans fit for the table.

12. Unicorn plant (_Martinia proboscidea_) in full flower.

13. Thorn apple (_Datura stramonium_) and marygold (_Tagetes
erecta_) in full flower.

15. Great water plantain (_Alisma plantago_) and field clover
(_Trifolium arvense_) in flower.

17. Mad dog weed (_Scutellaria lateriflora_) and purple vervain
(_Verbena hastata_) in blossom.

The weather for three weeks past has been excessively warm. The thermometer, for several days, has stood above 95°, part of the time at 98°. Our lands are now parching with drought. Our grass fields are completely embrowned. Our farmers beginning to reap their rye.

_July_ 19. Cucumbers fit for the table. Early corn (_green_) fit
for the table.

21. Mother of thyme (_Thymus vulgaris_) in full flower.

22. Fig-wort (_Scrophularia marylandica_) and loosestrife
(_Lysimachia stricta_) in flower.

24. Morning-glory (_Convolvulus sepium_) and _Orchis ciliaris_ in
full flower.

26. Whortleberries (_Vaccinium resinosum_) ripe. Single-seeded
cucumber (_Sicyos angulata_) in flower.

28. Garden lettuce and hop (_Humulus lupulus_) in full flower.

30. Our farmers reaping their wheat--a tolerable crop. Buckwheat
(_Polygonum fagopyrum_) in flower.

We had a great rain about the 20th, which restored the parched vegetation. The latter part of the month was, however, warm and dry.

_August_ 1. Grasshoppers begin to sing. Crickets arrived.

2. Larkspur (_Delphinium consolida_) in flower.

3. Sunflower (_Helianthus annuus_) and pigweed (_Chenopodium
album_) in flower.

6. Broom-corn (_Sorghum saccharatum_) and lavender (_Lavendula
spica_) in flower.

7. Early jenneting apples ripe. _Ambrosia trifida_ and American
senna (_Cassia marylandica_) in flower.

11. Muskmelon ripe. Garden squashes and shelled beans fit for the
table.

13. Seed-box (_Ludwigia alternifolia_) in flower. Garden
gooseberries fully ripe.

14. Our farmers gathering their peas and oats--an indifferent
crop. Weather warm and dry.

16. Martins departing. Bush clover (_Lespedeza capitata_) in
flower.

18. Our farmers beginning to mow their second crop of hay.
Jerusalem oak (_Chenopodium botrys_) in flower.

20. Houseleek (_Sempervivum tectorum_) in flower.

21. Herb clarry (_Salvia sclarea_) in blossom.

22. Swallows collecting in thousands to depart. Toothed coral
(_Cymbidium odontorhizom_) in flower. Saw bats for the first time
this year.

24. Lopseed (_Phryma leptostachia_) and ladies' traces (_Neottia
pubescens_) in flower.

27. Gay mallows (_Lavatera thuringiaca_) and _Solanum nigra_ in
full flower.

30. Burnet saxifrage (_Sanguisorba canadensis_) and water
horehound (_Lycopus europæus_) in full flower.

STEPHEN W. WILLIAMS.

_Deerfield, (Mass.) Jan. 25, 1819._

ART. VIII. _Description and Natural Classification of the Genus Floerkea, by_ C. S. RAFINESQUE.

This genus was discovered in Pennsylvania, near Lancaster, by the Rev. Dr. Muhlenberg, who communicated the same to Wildenow of Berlin. This celebrated botanist ascertained that it was a new genus, to which he gave the name of a German botanist, (Floerke) and published it in the third volume of the transactions of the society _des Curieux de la Nature_ of Berlin, for 1801, under the name of _Floerkea proserpinacoides_, which long and uncouth specific name has been changed by every subsequent author. Michaux has omitted it altogether, (with many more American species) in his _Flora Boreali Americana_, published in 1803. Persoon calls it _Floerkea lacustris_, in Syn. plant. 1. p. 393. Muhlenberg _Floerkea uliginosa_, in Cat. pl. Amer. Sept. p. 36. and Pursh, in Flora Amer. Sept. 1. p. 239, unites it with the genus _Nectris_, and calls it _Nectris pinnata_, putting it therefore in the Hexandria digynia of Linnæus, while all the preceding authors had classed it in the Hexandria monogynia. I will show presently which among them appear to be wrong; but I must notice before, that no botanist had, I believe, endeavoured to class it naturally, until Mr. Correa de Serra, who in his _reduction of American genera to the natural families of Jussieu_, attempted, without having had an opportunity to see the plant, to place it in the family of _Junci_, taking it therefore to be a monocotyle plant; being led into this error by a mistaken idea, that all hexandrous plants must be monocotyle! But in the spring of 1816, I found this plant in the neighbourhood of Philadelphia, (near the falls of the Schuylkill) where it had escaped the attention of all the botanists of that city, and in particular of Dr. William Barton, who has therefore omitted it in his Prodr. fl. Philad. and having communicated it to Mr. Correa, he acknowledged that it was dicotyle, of which fact I was aware, even before seeing the plant and dissecting its seed, by attending to its habit.

The following exact description of this genus will enable the reader to ascertain how far I am correct in my presumptions towards its natural arrangement.

_Floerkea._ Perigone double persistent, sixpartite; the exterior calicinal 3 partile, sepals acute; the interior shorter, coloured 3 partile, sepals petaloid, oblong, obtuse. Six stamens perigyne, filaments filiform, of the length of the interior sepals, anthers round. One free ovarium, rounded and bilobed, one central and bifod style, two capitated stigmas. Fruit a bilobed atricule, tuberculated and bilocular dispermous, sometimes round, unilocular and monospermous by abortion of one lobe and cell. Seeds attached to the centre near the bottom, nearly lenticular, smooth albuminous, easily divided in two lobes. _Habit._ Small, delicate, annual, and glabrous plant, with alternate polytome pinnated leaves, flowers axillar, solitary, pedunculated.

_Floerkea uliginosa._ Caule tenello flaccido erecto simplex, foliis 4 petiolatis imis ternatis, summis pinnato, quinatis, pinnulis lineari oblongis obtusis, integris floribus axillaris, solitaris pedunculis longis apice incrastatis. Stem delicate, soft, upright, and simple, leaves petiolated, the inferior ternated, the superior pinnated, quinate, pinnules linear-oblong obtuse, flowers axillar, solitary, and on long peduncles, swelled under the flower.

Among the several specific names given to this plant, I prefer Muhlenberg's, as it expresses exactly the kind of situations where it grows, say in moist grounds, occasionally swampish or overflowed; those I found near Philadelphia, grew by thousands on the banks of a small brook in a wood below the left side of the falls of Schuylkill. Persoon's name of _lacustris_, being wrong, as it would seem to imply that it grows in lakes only; and Wildenow's name being too long and illusive, its similarity of habit with the genus _Proserpinaca_ not being very striking. However, even the name of _uliginosa_ is liable to some slight objection; and did I think myself permitted to coin a new name, while so many have been proposed already, I should have called it either _F. tenella_, or _F. flaccida_, or _F. olitoria_, being a very delicate and tender plant, and very good to eat in sallad, as I have tried it myself, its taste is sweet and pleasant, the whole plant may be eaten, (even the root) being all juicy and tender: it grows in such an abundance in some spots, that it might occasionally afford a most precious and delightful sallad, but if cultivated for that purpose, it might be found an agreeable addition to our culinary herbs.

In addition to my above definition, it will be proper to state that the stem of this plant rises from 4 to 8 inches, it is cylindrical, smooth, and yellowish, the middle leaves are the largest, the lower peduncles are longer than the leaves, and the upper ones shorter, the petals or interior sepals, and the stamens are yellow. It blossoms in May, and is annual, it even lasts only three months.

It will be perceived that I do not agree with Mr. Pursh, in uniting this plant with the genus _Nectris_: he owns himself that it deviates a _little_ from the generic character of _Nectris_, but these deviations appear to me very material; they exist in the pistils and fruits, the most essential parts of the flowers, since they agree in the perigone and stamens. The genus _Nectris_ (or _Calomba_ of Aublet) has _two ovaries_, _two styles_, and _two polispermous capsules_, or _achens_! and belongs therefore to the second order _Perimesia_, (class _Eltrogynia_) eighth family _Achenopsia_ next to the genus _Myriophyllum_: while the genus Floerkea which has a _bilobed ovary_, _one central style_, _two stigmas_, and _one bilocular dispermous achen_, must belong to the eleventh order of the same class; _Isostimia_, which is characterized by having more than one stigma, the stamens in regular number, and not central; it will form a connecting link between this order and the foregoing _Polymesia_, by its affinity with many genera of the _Euphorbia's_ tribe, such as _Callitriche_, _Tragia_, _Mercurialis_, &c. from which it differs merely by having hermaphrodite flowers, and perispheric regular stamens. It will at present stand nearly isolated in this order, where it may form the small family _Galenidia_, along with the genus _Galenia_, &c. and which shall have much affinity with the family _Phytolacia_; but this differs by having a multilocular berry, while the _Galenia_ merely differs by having a 4 sided perigone, 8 stamens, and 2 styles.

I admit, however, that there is a strong affinity between the genera _Floerkea_ and _Nectris_, but stronger affinities often exist in plants of different classes. If, however, it should happen that Aublet[54] might have been mistaken in describing the ovaries and capsules of the _Nectris_ as double, if they should prove to be simple but bilobed, then the _Nectris_ would belong to the same family as the _Floerkea_; but yet stand as a peculiar genus distinguished by having 2 styles, and the achens not monospermous!

It was insinuated to me by Mr. Correa, that the _Floerkea_ might have some affinity with the tribe of _Ranunculaceous_, but I cannot discover any, since that tribe is widely different, by having many ovaries, stamens, and fruits, each ovary with 1 style or stigma, a deciduous perigone, the anthers adnate, &c. The analogy in the structure of the seed and habit, is too slight to be taken in consideration.

ART. IX. _Descriptions of Three New Genera of Plants, from the State of New-York. Cylactis, Nemopanthus, and Polanisia, by_ C. S. RAFINESQUE.

1. _N. G. Cylactis._

Calyx campanulated 6 to 10 fidus, sepals a little unequal. Petals 4 to 6 equal. Many perigynous stamens. Pistils 8 to 12, ovaries sessile ovate, styles elongated, stigmas capitated. Berries few, distinct, one seeded.

This new genus belongs in the analytical and natural method, (see Analysis of Nature) to the first natural class _Eltrogynia_, first natural order _Rhodanthia_, second natural family _Senticosia_, next to the genera _Rubus_, _Oligacis_, &c. It would range itself into the artificial class _Icosandria_ of the Linnæan sexual system; but not properly into any of its orders, since the number of pistils is variable, and never above 12. Only one species belongs to it, which I have discovered in company with Mr. Knevels, on the Catskill mountains. The etymology of the name derives from two Greek words meaning _radiated calyx_. It differs essentially from _Rubus_ by the unequal many cleft calyx, variable petals, and few pistils.

_Cylactis montana._ Mountain cylactis--Stem herbaceous upright, unarmed, pubescent; leaves quinate, nearly smooth, upper ones sessile, stipules oblong, folioles ovate acuminate, incised, serrated, ciliated, base acute, entire, the middle one petiolated: flowers few corymbose, peduncles erect elongated bracteolated; calyx pubescent, sepals lanceolate acute, nerved, reflexed; petals cuneate-obovate, longer than the calyx.

It is a small perennial plant, rising about half a foot; flowers white, blossoming in June. On the Catskill mountains near the great falls, &c.

2. _N. G. Nemopanthus._

Dioical. M. flowers calyx 5 phylle, equal, deciduous. No corolla. Stamina 5 hypogynous, alternating with the calyx. Fem. fl. calyx deciduous 5 phylle? Ovary ovate, stigma sessile 4 lobed. Berry 4 celled 4 seeded.

The name means _flower with a filiform peduncle_. A shrub forms this genus, which had perhaps been united with _ilex_ by Michaux, &c.; but it differs altogether from it by the want of corolla, hypogynous stamens, sessile, style, &c. it does not even belong to the same family, but to the natural family _Rhamnidia_, natural order _Plynontia_, and natural class _Eltrogynia_, next to the genus _frangula_. In the sexual system it would belong to _Dioecia pentandria_, very far apart from _Frangula_.

_Nemopanthus fascicularis._ Fascicled nemopanthus. Shrubby, leaves fasciculated, petiolate, oblong, mucronate, entire, rather undulated, membranaceous, smooth; flowers axillary fasciculated, peduncles filiform, shorter than the leaves.

It forms a small shrub from 5 to 8 feet high, covered with gray bark, and with slender upright branches; the flowers are greenish, very small, the female flowers have shorter and thicker peduncles; they blossom in June. It grows on the Catskill mountains near the two lakes. It is, perhaps, the _Ilex canadensis_? of Michaux and Pursh. And it has some analogy with the _Frangula alnifolia_.

3. _N. G. Polanisia._

Calyx 4 phylle, phylles coloured unequal, the upper one unguiculated spatulated. Corolla with 4 unequal petals, the two upper ones larger and unguiculated. A nectarium upwards glandular, broad, and truncated. Stamina 9 to 14, unequal, erect, hypogynous. Ovary oblong on a short pedicel, one style, one truncated stigma. Fruit a follicular capsule, one celled, two valved, many seeded, seeds inserted on each side of each suture, nearly snail-shaped.

The type of this genus is the _Cleome dodecandra_ of Linnæus, under which denomination many species were blended, which have no similitude with the real genus _cleome_, differing in the calyx, corolla, nectarium, stamina, and fruit. I shall describe here that of North America, where 2 or 3 species exist, besides those of the West Indies, Africa, and Asia, which are totally different. The etymology of the name which I have given to it, derives from _many irregularities_. It belongs in the analytical method of botany, to the first natural class _Eltrogynia_, ninth natural order _Monostimia_, natural family _Capparidia_. It can find no place in the sexual system since the number of stamina varies from 9 to 14, unless it be forced into _Dodecandria_.

_Polanisia graveolens._ Clammy polanisia--hairy and glutinous all over, stem upright, leaves alternate, petiolate, ternated, folioles sessile, the intermediate longest, oblong, obtuse, entire, hairy on the margin and nerves: flowers racemose erect, bracteas petiolate, ovate, obtuse, calyx hairy, petals emarginate, crenate, capsules divaricate glutinous.

It is the _Cleome dodecandra_ of Michaux and Pursh. It grows on the banks of rivers and lakes, on the Hudson near Newburgh, on the Susquehannah near Harrisburg, on Lake Erie, on the Ohio, and Mississippi, &c. It blossoms in July and August, the stem rises about 1 foot, the petals are white, or slightly red. The whole plant has a strong graveolent smell, similar to that of _Erigeron graveolens_. (Received January, 1818. _Editor._)

ART. X. _Notice on the Myosurus Shortii._

I have the pleasure to announce to the botanists, that the genus _Myosurus_, hitherto thought an European genus, and composed of a single species, has been detected in the United States by Dr. Short of Kentucky, who has discovered it in the neighbourhood of Hopkinsville, in Christian county, West Kentucky, and has communicated me specimens of it; by which, on comparing them with the European _Myosurus_, figured in _Flora Danica_, Lamarck's Illustrations, &c. I have been enabled to ascertain, that the American plant must form a second species of that genus, which I have accordingly dedicated it to the discoverer, by naming it _Myosurus Shortii_. This adds another genus and another new species to our Flora. I add the comparative definitions of the two species, exhibiting; their different characters and diagnosis.

_Myosurus minimus._ Lin. &c.

Leaves linear-cuneate, broader near the top, and acute. Scapes as long as the leaves, thickened towards the upper part. Calix 5 leaved, Spurs consimilar: petals 5. Stamens 5 to 8. Carpophore as long as the scapes.

_Myosurus Shortii._ Raf.

Leaves linear obtuse, hardly attenuated below. Scapes shorter than the leaves, and filiform. Calix 3 to 5 leaved, spurs membraneous: petals 3 to 5. Stamens 10 to 12. Carpophore shorter than the scapes.

C. S. RAFINESQUE.

_Philadelphia, May 1, 1819._

ART. XI. _Description of a New Species of Gnaphalium, by Professor_ E. IVES.

_To B. Silliman, Esq. M.D., &c._

The following description of a new species of Gnaphalium, accompanied with a drawing, has been in my possession for two years. If the subsequent observations will be of use to correct error, or solve doubts which may have existed concerning some species of gnaphalium, they are at your service.

E. IVES.

This plant was first observed by me, in company with Mr. C. Whitlow, in July, 1817, by the margin of a brook, a few rods north of Mr. E. Whitney's gun manufactory, near New-Haven. It is also found on the margin of the Housatonick, about thirty miles from Long Island sound, where it was observed by Dr. Alfred Monson, the last summer. Specimens of this plant were sent to Z. Collins, Esq. of Philadelphia, for the purpose of comparing it with the species of gnaphalium in Muhlenberg's herbarium, more particularly with the _luteo-album_ and _Pennsylvanicum_, which I had not seen.

I am indebted to the politeness of Mr. Collins, for the facts on this subject relative to Muhlenberg's herbarium. He observes, "your Gnaphalium is certainly not the _luteo-album_ of Muhlenberg, which may not strictly be a native, but introduced. Yours most approaches G. polycephalum Mx. Still, from the decurrent leaves and other differential marks, it appears to me to be a new species. Muhlenberg's collection has it not."

As the _luteo-album_ is said to grow in New-England, yet so far as my observation has extended it has not been found by any of the botanists, I am induced to believe that this opinion has arisen from some erroneous description of the plant which is the subject of this paper.

As the decurrent leaves of this Gnaphalium distinguish it so obviously from all the other American species of Gnaphalium, I propose to give it the specific name of _decurrens_.

_Specific description of Gnaphalium Decurrens (large life everlasting.)_

Leaves lanceolate, broad at base, acute, decurrent, somewhat scabrous above, tomentose beneath; stem leafy branched spreading, about three feet high.--See the plate.--The plate represents a section of the upper part of the plant.

FOSSIL ZOOLOGY, &c.

ART. XII. _Observations on some Species of Zoophytes. Shells, &c. principally Fossil, by_ THOMAS SAY.

If the following descriptions and notices of some of the animal productions of our country, chiefly fossil, and of which some are but little known, should be found of sufficient interest to occupy a place in the Journal of Science, they are very much at your service for that work.

The greater portion of them are extracted, with some modification, from an essay which I read about three years ago, to the Academy of Natural Sciences, without any intention at the time of giving publicity to them. But the rapid diffusion of a taste for geological research, seems to require corresponding exertions on the part of those who have attended to fossil remains, inasmuch as geology, in order to be eminently furnished with every advantage that may tend to the developement of many important results, must be in part founded on a knowledge of the different genera and species of reliquiæ, which the various accessible strata of the earth present. The accessory value of this species of knowledge, is now duly estimated in Europe, as affording the most obvious means of estimating, with the greatest approximation to truth, the comparative antiquity of formations, and of strata, as well as of identifying those with each other which are in their nature similar.

Certainly very little is yet known about the fossils of North America, and very little can be known accurately, until we shall have it in our power to compare them with approved detailed descriptions, plates, or specimens of those of Europe; which have been made known to the world by the indefatigable industry, and scientific research of Lamarck and other naturalists.

America is rich in fossils. In many districts of the United States, vast beds of fossil shells, zoophytes, &c. are deposited, which, for the most part, are concealed from the inquiring eye, offering superficially a mere confused mass of mutilated fragments. These rich repositories must finally be exposed to view, by the onward pace of improvement, and the more interior strata will be unveiled by some fortunate profound excavations, the result of enterprise in the pursuit of gain. The very surface of the country in many regions, is almost overspread with the abundance of casts, or redintigrate fossils, many of which are apparently specifically anomalous, and some generically so. The correct, and only useful mode in which the investigation of our fossils can be conducted, is attended with some difficulty and labour.

The task presumes the knowledge, not only of fossils in all their different states, from the apparently unchanged specimen, to the fragment or section of a cast uninsulably imbedded in its rocky matrix, but it also requires an adequate acquaintance with recent specimens, or those of which the inhabitants are not yet struck from the list of animated beings, in other words those of the present, as well as those of the former world.

Due advantage being taken of the many opportunities which are from time to time offered to us, of obtaining knowledge in this department, will probably be the means of producing a list of American animal reliquiæ, coextensive with that of Europe at the present day. In the present state of the science, however, the correct naturalist will feel it a duty which he owes to his colaborators to proceed with the utmost caution, that he may not add unnecessarily to the already numerous species.

_Genus Alveolites, Lam._

Coral lapideous, covering extraneous bodies, or in a simple mass, formed of concentric strata; strata composed each of a union of numerous alveoles, which are very short, contiguous, reticulate, and generally parallel.

_Species._

_A. glomeratus_, alveoles vertical, subequal, oval, or obsoletely hexagonal, much shorter than the diameter, parallel; paries simple; strata numerous, forming a rounded mass. (_Cabinet of the Academy of Natural Sciences._)

Found often on the coast of North America, cast up by the waves, the animals sometimes still living. Forms masses of various sizes and figures, generally more or less rounded or lobed, and composed of a great number of concentric layers. The number of these strata seems to be regulated in some degree, by the quantity of surface they have to cover. Thus if the nucleus happens to be a small shell, such as the _Naticæ_, _Nassæ_, &c. of our coast, or even the oyster, (_O. virginica_,) clam, (_V. mercenaria_,) &c. the strata are often very numerous; but on the thoracic plate of _Limulus polyphemus_, having a considerable space over which to extend themselves, the strata are but few, not more than 2 or 3. I have seen the thoracic plate of this animal so entirely covered by the _Alveolite_, as to have the eyes and stemmata concealed so as to be perfectly blind. When composed of a single layer only, it much resembles a _Flustra_, or a _Cellapore_ of which the convex surfaces have been removed by attrition. The animal I have not yet examined. The alveoles or cells of a layer, are arranged in lines of different degrees of curvature, obscurely radiating from different centres; these lines are placed side by side, the alveoles alternating with each other throughout the layer in a quincunx manner; the thickness of the paries is somewhat equal to one half of the conjugate diameter of the alveole, the length of which, or thickness of the layer, is scarcely more considerable; but these proportions vary.

The species to which it seems allied, are _madreporacea_ and _incrustans_. The former is fossil, and differs in being subramose; the latter forms but a single expansion.

_Genus Favosites, Lam._

Coral lapideous, simple, of a variable form, composed of parallel prismatic and fasciculated tubes; tubes contiguous, pentagonal, or hexagonal, more or less angular, rarely articulated.

_Species._

_F. striata_, more or less turbinate; _paries of the alveoles_ longitudinally striated within, and fenestrate with minute osculi; _alveoles_ with very numerous septæ. (_Cabinet Acad. Nat. Sciences; and Peale's Museum--common._)

Found fossil in various parts of the United States, at the falls of the Ohio; Genessee, New-York; Pittsburg and Wilksbarre, Pennsylvania; Missouri, &c. &c. but not yet in the alluvial deposit of New-Jersey.

The tubes are generally, partially, or entirely filled with silicious matter, sometimes so completely so, as to resemble in miniature, basaltic columns; when the alveoles are free on the surface, these fossils are known by the name of _petrified wasp-nests_, from the resemblance they bear to the nests of those insects. The silex is usually only infiltrated into the cavities, leaving the substance of the coral in its original calcareous state, but the specimens which are found amongst the rolled pebbles of the Delaware River, near Philadelphia, are completely silicified.

The size varies from one fourth of an ounce, to two hundred pounds or more, and the tubes occur of every intermediate diameter, from the fortieth to one fourth of an inch. It is not common to find any two specimens of like form, they are, however, ordinarily more or less turbinate, but are sometimes depressed or compressed, and the tubes rectilinear or excurved, and of various lengths. The dilated summit is not so much the effect of a gradual enlargement of the tubes, as of the frequent and adventitious interposition of young ones, which of course renders the openings of the tubes unequal. The tubes or alveoles, vary in the same coral, being 5 or 6, rarely seven sided, but the hexagonal form is most common; the interior of a tube is divided into a great number of apartments or cells, by approximate transverse septæ, each of the cells appears to be connected with the corresponding cells of the surrounding tubes, by lateral orifices in the dividing paries; these orifices are minute, inequidistant, orbicular, their margins slightly prominent, and forming from one to three longitudinal series on each side of the tube; each row is separated from the adjoining one by an impressed line. By means of these osculi it seems probable that all the animals inhabiting a common coral, were connected together, or had free communication with each other, but whether by means of a common organ as in _Pyrosoma_, _Stephanomia_, &c. or simply by contact as in the aggregating _Salpa_, &c. we have no means of determining.

The _striata_ differs from _Madrepora truncata_, Esper. (_F. alveolata_, Lam.) in not being "extùs transversè sulcata." It seems to be allied to _Corallium Gothlandicum_, Amœn. Acad. v. 1. p. 106, and it is possible it may prove synonymous, or very similar to it, when that species becomes better known; the latter has been taken for Basalt, and M. Lamarck when describing it, inquires "Est-ce un polypier?" _Madrepora fascicularis_, of Volck. and Parkin. in common with _F. striata_ and _F. Gothlandicum_, is distinguished by the transverse septa, a character which induced me to refer the species here described to _Favosite_; they seem therefore to be congeneric, as analogy indicates a participation in the character of osculated paries.

Amongst the great variety exhibited by this species, we have to remark more particularly the following, viz.:

1st. Alveoles perfectly free, that is, destitute of aciculi or lamellæ, the septa wanting, and sometimes the osculi obsolete.

2d. Alveoles filled almost to the summit with the septa, and resembling those combs of the bee-hive which are filled with honey and covered over.

3d. Paries beset with very numerous, interrupted, alternating, transverse lamellæ, which are denticulated at their tips, and project towards the centre with various degrees of prominence and irregularity.

The first variety corresponds with the generic character, and the third approaches the genus _Porites_; yet so unequivocally identical are they, that I have seen them all united in the same mass, and perforated throughout by the osculi. The identity is further obvious by the perfect gradation which renders them inseparable.

With respect to the transverse septa, I think their presence may be accounted for by supposing that as the animal elongates its tube in consequence of an increase of growth, or in order to maintain an equal elevation with the adjacent tubes, (rendered necessary by the origin of young tubes in the interstices) it gradually vacates the basal portions of its tube, and sustains itself at the different elevations, by successively uniting the parietal lamellæ so as to exclude the vacuity. That this is probable, we may infer from a similar procedure on the part of several species of testaceous mollusca. Thus some Linnæan _Serpula_ become camerated, and a familiar instance presents itself in the _Triton tritonis_, the animal of which adds successive partitions to the interior of the spire, as that part becomes too strait for the increasing volume of its body. If the above supposition proves correct, the organs of communication which pass through the osculi, can hardly be in common, but must rather connect the animals by simple contact only, otherwise these parts would be broken when the animal changes its place by vacating the inferior part of the tube.

The third variety is then the state of that portion of the tube which is inhabited by the body of the animal, and not yet interrupted by the septæ.

From the above observations, it is evident that this species, and probably the entire genus _Favosite_ under which I have placed it, will not arrange properly with the _Tubipores_, _Millepores_, &c. but must be transferred to the _Polypiers Lamellifères_ of Lamarck. And if the _Madrepora retepora_ of Solander and Ellis, is a true _Porites_, as M. Lamarck supposes it to be from the appearance of its tubes, I should conclude this genus to be very proximately allied to _Favosites_, by that species and the _F. striata_ having in common the remarkable character of fenestrated paries. But to this character I should conceive a generic importance ought to be attached, as indicating a differential organization of the artificers. I have no doubt that on close inspection of a perfect specimen, the same character will be found to exist in _F. Gothlandicum_, and possibly also in _F. truncata_, if not in the latter only, it may be proper to separate the genus and to withdraw from _Porites_ the forementioned species, retaining to _striata_ as specifically essential, the second member of the differential description.

(_To be continued._)

PHYSICS, CHEMISTRY, &c.

ART. XIII. _Observations on Salt Storms, and the Influence of Salt and Saline Air upon Animal and Vegetable Life. Read before the Lyceum of Natural History of New-York, March 7, 1819, by_ JOHN B. BECK, M. D.

(Communicated for this Journal.)

Meteorology is a science of so much general concern, that it seems to be incumbent upon every member of society to aid in augmenting the stock of facts, which the labours of ingenious and scientific men have already accumulated on that subject. Under this impression I propose to devote the following paper to some observations on _salt winds_ or _storms_, as they have occurred in this country and in Europe--a subject, which although presenting many phenomena of a more than temporary interest, has as yet excited but little attention. Indeed, the opportunities for observation have occurred so rarely as readily to account for its having in a great measure escaped the philosophical acumen of the present age.

It must have been early observed that the atmosphere in the vicinity of the sea frequently becomes impregnated with saline materials; but the first and only account of a _salt storm_ that I have met with, is to be found in the Transactions of the Linnæan Society of London. The 8th volume of that work gives an interesting narration of the effects of a storm of this description, which occurred in England, in January, 1803. It was occasioned by an east wind, which blew for some days, and which, in its passage over the ocean, had imbibed large quantities of salt water, which were afterward deposited upon the land. In most cases these depositions proved fatal to the plants and vegetables which received them. So extensive were the effects of this singular storm, that they were felt in the vicinity of London, at a distance of about seventy miles from the ocean, and in all the intermediate country. In most instances, the leaves of the plants, which suffered from it, appeared as if they had been scorched, and in some places even the tops of the branches mortified. A storm of the same kind took place in England, in February, 1804; and the memoir states, that Sir Joseph Banks had noticed another some years before in Lincolnshire.[55]

A storm attended with similar effects occurred in this country in 1815, and vented its fury upon the eastern states. It commenced on the 23d of September, between eight and nine o'clock, A. M. with the wind from the east. In about two hours the wind shifted to southeast, and blew a perfect hurricane. The extended devastation which ensued, is still in the recollection of every person. The tides rose from nine to twelve feet higher than ordinary, and in many of the principal cities and towns along the coast of New England, churches, houses, bridges, wharves, and in some instances valuable citizens, were buried in one common ruin. In less than three hours the gale abated, and before sunset there was a perfect calm. Such were the more striking features of this tremendous gale--but other effects were observed more peculiarly interesting to the philosopher. At New-London, Salem, and other places, both on the coast, and several miles in the interior, the air was found to be loaded with salt; and the leaves of many trees appeared, a few hours after the storm, as if they had been scorched. Besides this effect upon vegetables, there were additional evidences of the saline quality of the wind. At Salem and some other places an incrustation of salt was perceived on the windows, and the fruit in several gardens had a perceptible taste of salt on their surface. At New-London it was remarked that the air in the eddies was extremely hot and suffocating.

Other facts of a similar nature might be collected, but these it is presumed are sufficient to characterize the state of the atmosphere during that storm.

Several interesting inquiries arise from the consideration of the foregoing facts.

1. In what way does the salt exist in the atmosphere in these storms? On this point there are two different opinions. The most prevalent is, that it is merely the spray of the sea driven onward by the force of the wind. This opinion has received the sanction of Sir Joseph Banks,[56] and also of Sir Humphry Davy, if we may judge from an incidental expression in his Agricultural Chemistry.[57] Another opinion[58] is, that muriate of soda is continually rising into the atmosphere from the surface of the ocean, and that the air, in all maritime situations, is thus constantly more or less impregnated with salt. The most striking fact in support of this doctrine, (so opposite to the commonly received views on the subject of the evaporation of sea water) is the actual existence of muriate of soda in the rain and snow which fall in the vicinity of the ocean.[59] The experiments of Vogel and Bouillon Lagrange, on the distillation of sea water, are also in favour of the position, that salt may be carried into the air in the ordinary process of evaporation. On distilling salt water they found a considerable quantity of muriate of soda in the receiver.[60]

Admitting the correctness of these experiments, still it is not easy to conceive, how they will account satisfactorily for the _large_ quantities of salt found in the air during the storms under consideration.

Whichever of these solutions may be adopted, it is unquestionably a fact that salt does, in some way or other, exist in the atmosphere in the neighbourhood of the sea.

2. The next object of inquiry is, the influence which this saline air has upon vegetable life. Independently of the facts already stated, there are many others which prove its deleterious agency upon the vegetable creation. Dr. Mitchill informs me, that in some parts of the south side of Long-Island fruit trees do not thrive well, except at a distance of thirty miles from the sea, and even the sturdy oak does not extend its branches towards the ocean.[61] If I am correctly informed, it was with great difficulty, that the trees on our Battery were made to accommodate themselves to a situation so near the salt water. It is also well known, that when plants are taken to sea, they speedily perish, if exposed but a short time to a wind, which is sufficiently strong to turn over the tops of the waves into _white caps_, as they are called by the sailors.

In order to ascertain positively, whether these effects were to be attributed to the operation of salt, I made a solution of muriate of soda in common rain water; with this I watered for a couple of days the leaves of different plants. In a short time they began to dry up, and in a few days were completely dead.

It appears from Volney, that the Egyptian air is strongly charged with salts. The evidences of it are to be found even at Cairo.[62] It is this property of the air, which this philosophical traveller considers, as one of the causes of the rapid vegetation in that country. He mentions, however, that _exotic_ plants will not thrive there. It is found necessary to renew the seeds of them every year. May not this be occasioned by the saline quality of the air? The _native_ plants are doubtless accustomed to its action, and do not so sensibly feel its injurious effects. And if the Egyptian air is so very penetrating from this very cause, as to produce ophthalmia, may we not rationally conclude, that its influence must be equally injurious to plants not accustomed to it.