Lapeyrousin fissifolia: the Gladiolus fissifolius, of Jacquin and Vahl, but very properly separated from that genus by Mr. Gawler; this article contains an enumeration of the species, in which Mr. G. no longer makes Lamark's. Ixia fastigiata, distinct from L. corymbosa.

Morza parna, Mr. Gawler had before shown that what Mr. Curtis called Íris pavonia, in a former part of the Magazine, was a variety of Morza tricuspis. The present very rare and beautiful species, as well as the last, was figured from the collection of Lee and Kennedy, Centaurea macrocephala, of Count Mushin Pushkin, native of Caucasus, never before figured, communicated by Mr. Loddiges, of Hackney.

Erica aristata, a showy and rare species, from the collection of Mr. Williams, of Turnham Green.

Erica andromeda fora. Another species, altogether deserving of the same epithets, from the collection of Mr. Knight, nursery-man, King's road, late gardener to Mr. Hiobert. The specific characters of both the above species of Erica, are taken from the unpublished edition of the Hortus Kewensis; and we are encouraged by this, in the belief that the excellent botanist Mr. Dryander, a pupil of Linnæus, is seriously engaged in the publication of that useful work.

Hedysarum capitatum. Another native of Mount Caucasus, from Loddiges's garden. The name seems to be hesitatingly adopted from Desfontanes. The peculiar shape of the ra eeme, from the lower flowers being close oppressed to the stalk, whilst those recently expanded are patent, suggested to Dr. Sims the English name of Sceptre-flowered; and should Et hereafter turn out that it is different from the capitatum of the Flora atlantica, the name of sceptriformis will probably be adopted.

In No. 276 of the Botanical Magazine, we have Cyanella lutea; a very rare species. Mr. Gawler has framed a new generic character.

W

(Amaryllis Ornata Var. a), or the Cape-coast Lily. Mr. Gawler at first considered the pe-coast Lily, the Ceylon Lily, and the great White-flowered Lily from Sierra Leone, as the same species; he has since, at the suggestion of Mr. Dryander, separated the last, upr the name of A. gigantea. He still considers the two former as mere varieties: in plants so very natural an order, both the species and the genera are so very indistinctly marked, hat it is extremely difficult to decide what are species and what are varieties, and to which nus many species belong. In this instance, we are inclined to side with the cultivators, ho are best acquainted with the plants in every stage of their growth, and who, one and K1, consider the Cape coast Lily and the Ceylon Lily, as distinct species.

R

M

G

D.

Hesperantha pilosa (B), a smooth variety. This genus was framed by Mr. Gawler, out of e large heterogeneous assemblage, under the name of Ixia, and contains a set of species. ich are night-flowering and very fragrant.

CGeissorhiza setatea: another newly established genus, from the same assemblage. Mr. wler has here united three of his former species, viz. setacea, rochensis, and obtusata, under e, considering them as meie varieties; we think cultivation must determine the question. impatiens coccinea, a new and showy species of Balsam, introduced from the East Indies Dr. Roxburgh, and cultivated in the stove, at Mr. Salisbury's Botanic Garden. Campanula peregrina; a species of Bell-flower, known for some years in our gardens; but ery doubtful origin. From its habit, it is, as Dr. Sims observes, very unlikely to be a duction of the Cape; Siberia or Northern Asia may lay a much more probable claim. Campanula barbata, an Alpine plant, native of Southern Europe.

to e

bbetsonia genistoides. Mr. Salisbury, in the last volume of the Transactions of the Linnean Hpety, has pointed out several distinct genera, which have been heretofore huddled toger, under the name of Sophora; many of the species, of which had no other claim to be idered as belonging to the same genus than that of having papilionaceous flowers, with. have ustinct stamens. He had not however given the characters, or affixed any names to some Opese gencra. Dr. Sims has here adopted one of Mr. Salisbury's genera, has supplied the sout-ric characters, and applied the name of Ibbetsonia, in honour of Mrs. Agnes Ibbetson, has shown herself to be a lady of superior talents, by several papers on vegetable phynorty, published in Nicholson's Philosophical Journal. The species here figured, has been 1 known in collections of rare plants under the name of Sophora genistoides. stro:e have not received any number of the Botanist's Repository since our last Report. and of English Botany, two numbers have been published, which contain together only seven througamic species."

twe?

of theachys arabigua. Supposed to be a new species from Scotland. To us it appears to ap ceesich in habit to a Galeopsis.

Duriptus corniculatus and Lotus major. In the Flora Britannica, Dr. Smith has enumerated the re plants as varieties; they are now considered by him as distinct species, of which we 17th, ld think there can be little doubt, but cultivation would perhaps determine the quesextre, more satisfactorily.

the 1ra lævigata ; a supposed new species of grass from Scotland; it approaches A. cæspitosa, Decay perhaps be a viviparous Alpine variety of that species, notwithstanding the differ Dr. Smith has made a curious observation from this plant, that in the gravel, in the rachis rous florets, the change of the glumes into leaves, is evinced by the awn remaining top of the leaf,

Charophyllum

Charophyllum aureum; discovered in Scotland by Mr. George Don. Few botanists, Dr.
Smith remarks, are at all acquainted with this species, nor is the aureum of the species plan-
tarum the same as that in the Mantissa. The Scotch plant is the same as the former.
Rumex aquaticus. Too large a plant to be well figured on so small a plate.

Spergula saginoides; found by the late Mr. J. Mackay, on Ben Lawers in 1794, and pre-
viously by Mr. Don on Mal-ghyrdy. It has ten stamens, though Professor Swartz describes
but five Dr. Smith observes that this plant, whether it be the same with that of Swartz
or not, is certainly the same as that of Linnæus.

MONTHLY AGRICULTURAL REPORT.

THE state of the season has changed considerably since our last; the greatest part of the month having been attended with frost, snow, and occasional thaws, which have, or the whole, been favourable to the young wheats, especially those of the more forward kind. The work of ploughing up the leys and stubbles, have been greatly impeded through the month, by these causes; and but little of that necessary business has been able to be performed.

Turnips, cabbages, and other green cattle crops, though abundant on the ground, do notTM hold out well in being consumed, in many districts, in consequence of the injury which they have suffered by the previous continued wetness of the weather; nor do the animals thrive so weil as usual upon them;

The same is the case with potatoes, for though the crops were in general very productive, they have not by any means kept so well, as is common with this valuable root; but more speedily run into decay and dissolution. The larger sorts are likewise found more hollow and bad within, than is generally the case.

The importations of grain from other countries, have fortunately kept down the advancing price of that essential article, so as to remain nearly as in our last. Wheat fetches fromTMTM ús, to 869. per quarter; Barley, 42s. to 46s.; Oats, 22s. to 38s. Store cattle and sheeps stock have hitherto been carried on with little inconvenience to the farmer; but the trying How the dry fodder and green crops, which are to sup-part of the season is yet to come. port them, may hold out, cannot yet be well foreseen.

Fattening stock has been tolerably forced on in most cases, but perhaps with a little moretrouble than usual. Beef fetches from 4s. 8d. to 6s. 4d. per stone of 81b.; Mutton, 4s. 8d. to 6s. Os. ;- Pork, 5s. 4d. to 6s. 8d.

The state of the hay markets is much as in our last. Hay fetches from 51. 10s. to 61. 10.per load; Clover, 61. 10s. to 71. 16s.; Straw, 21. 10s. to 31.

The making and repairing of the fences, have not been capable of being much attended to this month, the workman having been chiefly confined to barn-labour, from the state of the weather.

METEOROLOGICAL REPORT.

Observations on the State of the Weather, from the 24th of December, 1809, to the 24th- of January, 1810, inclusive, Four Miles N.N.W. of St. Paul's.

Thermometer.

Higheft, 50o. Dec. 31. and Jan. 1. Wind W
Wind- W
Lowest, 15. Jan. 17,

Between of the 28th and 29th ult.

the mercury fell

from 29-70 to
29.27.

ALTHOUGH we have had rain and snow on several days during the month, yet the quantity collected in the rain gauge, is too small to be noticed till our next report. The averaged temperature has not varied materially from that of the last month; it being for December 365, and for January 559 71; we have, however, had some very severe weather, the thermometer being once at 15° or 17° below the freezing point; once at 16o, once at-19o, and on teo other days, it was as low, or lower, than the freezing point. Considering the⚫ small quantity of fain fallen, the mean height of the barometer must be regarded as very low, being only 29-661. The fogs have not been frequent nor very thick; but some very dark days have been noticed, in which, at this place, it was almost impossible to see to read er to while till late in the forenoon. The wind has blown chiefly from the westerly points, though on several of the latter days, it has come from the north-east. Highgate.

PRICES

PRICES of STOCKS, from the 26th of DECEMBER, 1809, to the 25th of January, 1810, both inclusive,

MONTHLY MAGAZINE. "MAGAZINE.

No. 196.

MARCH 1, 1810.

[2 of VOL. 29.

As long as thofe who write are ambitious of making Converts, and of giving their Opinions a Maximum of "Influence and Celebrity, the moft extensively circulated Mifcellany will repay with the greated Effect the Curiosity of thofe who read either for Amusement or Inftruation."JOHNSON.

10. Number of hands employed therein,

For the Monthly Magazine.
ACCOUNT of the HERRING FISHERY at 750.
WICK; by SIR JOHN SINCLAIR, BART.

Faseen carried on along the east-
OR some years past, a herring-fishery
eri coast of Caithness, more especially
in the neighbourhood of Wick, Staxigo,
Clyth, Lybster, Dunbeath, &c. which is
likely to become a very great national
object. It is of considerable importance
indeed, even in its present state, as will
appear from the following general view
of it; but that is nothing to the extent
to which it will probably be brought,
when the harbour of Wick is completed,
(which will be effected in the course of
next year); when the other crecks along
that coast are better fitted for the accom-
modation of boats and vessels; and when
the fishery is extended to Thurso, and the
northern coast of Caithness, which there
is every reason to hope will be the case
in the course of the ensuing summer.
Present and general State of the Wick Fishery.
1. Number of vessels, averaging 50 tons
each, employed in bringing to Wick, &c.
the raw materials of the fishery, as salt, casks,
staves, &c. 150.

2. Number of hands employed on board these vessels, 750.

3. Number of boats and other vessels employed in the fishery itself, 550.

4. Number of hands employed on board these boats and vessels, 2750.

5. Number of hands employed in various, other branches of the fishery, as coopers, net-makers, gutters, packers, &c. 2,200. 6. Total number of hands employed in the fishery, and the various branches therewith connected, 5,700.

7. Number of barrels of smoked and salted herrings, on the average of this and the preceding year, about 50,000.

8. Total number of herrings caught and cured, at the rate of 700 herrings per barrel, (besides great quantities consumed in a fresh state,) thirty-five millions.

9. Number of vessels employed in transporting the herrings from Wick, &c. to other

ports, 150.

MONTHLY MAG. No. 196.

11. Number of acres which the nets, when
spread out for drying, would cover, 368.
12. Number of miles the total length of

the nets, one following the other, 114.
13. Value of the herrings exported from
Wick, &c. at 32s. per barrel, 82,000.

14. Price of each herring at that rate, 2 farthings, and about one-fifth of a farthing.

15. Value of each barrel of herrings, on the calculation that a barrel of herrings is equal to one of beef, 5l 12s.

16. Annual value of the fishery on that calculation, 28,0007.

There can be no doubt that a barrel of herrings, properly cured, is equal to one of beef; and many have calculated the proportion at a still higher rate. It is of the utmost importance, therefore, to increase that branch of the fishery, more especially for the advantage of the poor, as salted herrings not only give a relish to the potatoes* and other vegetables they consume, but are also of the greatest benefit to the poor, from the nourishment they afford. The importance of the fishery as a nursery for seamen, need not be dwelt upon.

It may be proper to add, that this fish ery is not carried on solely for the lo

* The best mode of using salted herrings with potatoes, is as follows:-Let the pota toes be parboiled, and then the skins taken off; let the herrings and potatoes be then thoroughly boiled together, and put on a dish for consumption. Some take out the bones, and mash the herrings and the potatoes together, which makes a most excellent meal. If this mode were more generally practised, the internal consumption of berrings throughout the country would indeed be great. There is hardly a family in the kingdom that would not find it for their advantage to purchase from one to two barrels of salted herrings, and upwards, to be consumed in this manner. When to this is added foreign and colonial exportation, it is difficult to point out the limits to which the herring-fishery might be carried, under adequate encouragement.

cal