СНАР.
V.

its matrix', not only the same alternate convex and concave fractures which sometimes characterize the horizontal fissures of basaltic pillars, but also the concentric layers which denote concretionary formation3. It is hardly possible to have a more striking proof of coincidence, resulting from similarity of structure in two substances, otherwise remarkably distinguished from each other.

(1) “Je fis une remarque à cette occasion; c'est que ces gemmes qui deviennent si dures, étoient singulièrement friables au sortir de leurs gîtes: plusieurs gros prismes se brisérent entre mes mains." Hist. Nat. des. Min. tom. II. p. 32. It is the same with the common flint, which, when first taken from a bed of chalk, sometimes breaks in the hand, and is penetrated with visible moisture. This also is the case with regard to the Hungarian opals: the workmen often expose them to the sun, before they venture to remove them.

(2) "Il offre un accident remarquable, et que j'ai observé, le premier dans ces gemmes; c'est que ses extrémités, au lieu d'être planes, ont une saillie arrondie comme les basaltes articulés. Cet accident se rencontre également dans les émeraudes et les aigues marines de la même montagne. J'en ai des exemplaires de toutes les nuances qui offrent ces articulations, soit en relief, soit en creux." Hist. Nat. des Min. tom. II. p. 28.

(3) “J'en ai plusieurs échantillons, où l'on voit, quand on les regarde contre le jour par une de leurs extrémités, des hexagones concentriques, qu'on distingue quelquefois jusque vers le centre du prisme : ces hexagones sont formés par les lames qui ne sont appliquées successivement à chacune de ces faces." Ibid. tom. II. p. 31.

(4) The mineralogical reader may add to this a remarkable fact, recently communicated to the author by the Rev. James Lambert, of Trinity College, Cambridge. The radiating pillars upon the coast of St. Andrew's, in Scotland, bearing the name of the Spindle Rock, are nothing more than a spheroidal mass, which once occupied an orbi cular cavity, after the manner in which zeolite is exhibited in porous aggregates: the prisms diverge from a common centre like the

acicular

After we had passed Turan, a small plantation of olives afforded us a temporary shelter; and without this, the heat was greater than we could have endured. Having rested an hour, taking coffee, and smoking tobacco, as usual, with the Arabs of our party, we continued our journey. The earth was covered with thistles in such numerous variety, that a complete collection of them would be an interesting acquisition for the botanist. A plant, which we mistook for the Jerusalem artichoke, was seen everywhere, with a purple head, rising to the height of five or six feet. The scorching rays of the sun put it out of our power to collect specimens of all these; no one of the party having sufficient resolution to descend from his horse, and abandon his umbrella, even for an instant. We distinctly perceived that several of these plants have not been described by any traveller. In the examination of the scanty

acicular radiating fibres of zeolite, carbonated lime, &c. &c. in amygdaloidal rocks. The author witnessed a similar appearance, upon as large a scale, in the Isle of Canna, in the Hebrides. The magnitude of certain phænomena of crystallization sometimes leads the mind to doubt the nature of the process whence they have resulted. Saussure's polished mountain, near St. Bernard in the Alps, is an instance of this kind. We are at no loss to explain the cause of lustre on one of the lateral planes of a small crystal, but cannot so readily conceive that the side of a mountain may have been thus modified.

V.

CHAP. but interesting selection which, with excessive fatigue and difficulty, we made in this route, not less than six new species were discovered'. Of these, the new Globe Thistle, which we have

(1) The Reader will find only the new species described here. Others, however rare, are reserved for a General List, in the Appendix to the last Section of this PART of our Travels.

I. A new species of Heliotrope, which we have called HELIOTROPIUM HIRSUTUM. This was found near CANA. Heliotropium foliis latoovatis, plicatis, integerrimis, pilis depressis hirsutis; spicis subsolitariis, pilis patulis hirsutissimis. Planta humilis ramosa; rami patentes, hirsuti. Folia petiolata vix pollicaria; petioli semipollicares. Spicæ unilaterales pedunculatæ, 2. ad 3. pollices longæ. Flores pedicellati serie simplici dispositi. Calyces hirsutissimi. Corollæ tubus calyce dimidio longior, pubescens.

II. A non-descript species of Larkspur, which we have called DELPHINIUM INCANUM, found near the same place. Delphinium nectariis diphyllis foliolis emarginatis obtusis; corollis pentapetalis, capsulis solitariis, foliis multipartitis. Rami flexuosi, divaricati, supra villoso-incani. Folia pubescentia multipartita, laciniis linearilanceolatis. Flores subracemosi, pauci. Pedunculi bracteati, crassi, villosi; bractæ subulata. Petala nectario longiora unguiculata, obtusa. Calcar corollâ longius, curvatum. Capsula ovato-elliptica pubescens, stylo persistente coronata.

III. Near Cana we also found a non-descript cottony species of Origanum, which we have called ORIGANUM VESTITUM. Origanum foliis subcordato-ovatis, petiolatis, integerrimis, utrinque tomentosis mollissimis spicis subrotundo-ovatis, pedunculatis, compactis tomentosis subternis caule suffruticoso. Planta ramosa, tomentosa incana. Folia nervosa quinque lineas longa, sæpiùs reflexa. Spica breves valde tomentosa, basi constipatæ, subterna. Calyx bilabiatus obovatus, fauce lanuginosus. Corolla gracilis, glanduloso-punctata. Stylo exserta. Stigmata reflexa.

IV. A shrubby non-descript species of Globe Thistle, which we have called ECHINOPS GRANDIFLORA. Echinops caule suffrutescente scabro, foliis bipinnatis supra scabris, subtus tomentosis, laciniis perangustis; capitulis globosis pedunculatis amplis. Caulis sulcatus

fuscus,

named ECHINOPS GRANDIFLORA, made a most superb appearance: it grew to such a size, that some of its blossoms were near three inches in diameter, forming a sphere equal in bulk to the

fuscus subflexuosus. Folia subtus albida, mollissima, supra sordide virentia, hispida ; laciniæ lineari-subulatæ. Capitulatæ. Capitula pollices duos cum dimidio seu tres diametro cærulei. Florum pedicelli papposi. Squamæ calycinæ exteriores imbricatæ lanceolatosubulata infra medium integerrima; supra contracte dentatociliata acutissimæ: squama intima brevior tubulata, quinquefida, apicibus laciniatis. Corolla limbus tubo brevior quinquepartitus laciniis sublinearibus. Stigmata reflexa. Semina hirsuta, coronata; corona striata, ciliata submembranacea.

V. A non-descript species of Aira, with the outer valve of the corolla three-awned, and the flowers in a close panicle, as in the Aira pubescens. We have called it AIRA TRIARISTATA. Aira paniculâ spiciformi, oblongâ; corollæ valvâ exteriore calyce nervoso dimidio breviore, triaristata; vaginis foliorum ventricosis, amplissimis. This is a dwarf species, with the leafy culms often shorter than the oblong heads of the flowers. Both the leaves and their sheaths are deeply striated, and downy. The flowers are set very close together in the panicles, which vary, from about an inch and a half to two and a half inches in length. The glumes of the calyx are of a linear-lanceolate shape, deeply furrowed, and downy. The inner valve of the corolla is slenderer and shorter than the outer valve, slightly notched at the end, and without awns: the two lateral awns of the outer valve are about the length of the calyx; the central one a third part longer.

VI. A non-descript shrubby species of Cistus, with rough alternate leaves, about two-thirds of their length distant from each other on the branches. We have called it CISTUS OLIGOPHYLLUS. Cistus stipulatus, fruticosus, foliis alternis ovato-lanceolatis, enerviis, integerrimis, scabris, pilosis, margine revolutis; pedunculis unifloris; calycis foliolis inæqualibus, hirsutis. Fruticulus ramosus, rami flexuosi, graciles, supra villosi. Folia petiolata, patentia, lineas quatuor longa. Petioli brevissimi, pilosi. Calycis foliola inaqualia duo angusta, tria quadruplò latiora, nervosa. Corolla flava.

CHAP.

V.

CHAP. largest fruit of the pomegranate. Its leaves V. and stem, while living, exhibited a dark but

vivid sky-blue colour. The description in the Note is taken from its appearance in a dried state. The Persian Manna-plant, or Hedysarum Alhagi, which we had collected between Acre and Nazareth, also flourished here abundantly. This thorny vegetable is said to be the favourite food of the camel1: it is found wild, in Syria, Palæstine, Persia, Egypt, Mesopotamia, Armenia, Georgia, and the islands of Tenos, Syra, and Cyprus. Tournefort, who considered it as a plant sui generis, has given a description of it, in his account of the Island of Syra. Rauwolf, who discovered it in 1537, in the vicinity of Aleppo, and in Persia, often mentions it in his Geological Travels3. As we advanced, our journey led us through an open campaign country, until, upon our right, the guides shewed to us the Mount where it is believed that CHRIST preached to his disciples that memorable Sermon, in which are concentrated the sum and substance

Features of
Galilee.

(1) Forskal's Flora, p. 136.

(2) Voyage du Levant, tom. II. p. 4. Lyon, 1717.

(3) See pp. 84, 152, 206. Lond. 1693. Also, the end of Mr. Ray's Collection of Travels, "Stirpium Orientalium rariorum Catalogus." ALHAGI MAURORUM.

(4) Matthew, ch. v. vi. vii.