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[Page 2]
growing, but will not admit of a specific distinction. It differs from the above, by growing nearly erect, to the height of 8 feet; its stem being nearly round and with few prickles, and flowering earlier. If it should ever be cultivated, then we may perhaps have a better knowledge how to form a specific character; for I am certain, that if any dubious matters remain, nothing will sooner add to unfold the mysteries than cultivation. If ever it is in my power for to cultivate the dubious ones, I shall certainly do it; for last summer, I saw growing in a friend's garden, several Veronica, and many of them seemed to belong to the Spuria of Lin.; but upon a close inspection and a continued perseverance, I found them to be distinct species. I then found that Linnaeus's subdivision of Spicata might again be subdivided into, "Stem smooth. Stem hairy &c" and many other particulars that would be needless to point out at this time. I also find that the prolixity in ascertaining the different species of Asters, might be facilitated by form in subdivisions from the calyx, by observing, whether, smooth, hairy, reflected, &c.
I have to lament by not being here at the more favorable time of the year, for there are some salt marshes that I should like to examine. In the way of Mosses Lichens &c I have not been able to find any except common ones; the soil appears not to be favorable for them. In marine Cryptogamia, the beach here is inferior to the shore at Liverpool. It is rather irregular, that the beach here should be covered with flint stones, and at Liverpool not a single one is to be seen. I have thought of walking as far as Stonehenge in order to collect Cryp., but there are other plants said to grow about these that I should like to see, and it is rather galling to go to a place so far of, and to head upon this Hybernacula, and not have the pleasure to see them. I have also thought of visiting the Isle of Wight, thinking that the rocks there would afford something new, but I own myself at a loss in what manner to judge of chalk rocks in the Winter season. In the summer they afford plants local to themselves.
The Governor tells me he forgot to bring the sextant; and as now as I have got to peruse my books, I find myself at a loss for the microsope, therefore as I understand I am to go in different ship from the Porpoise