408 Royal Asiatic Society. somewhat straggling habit, not from growing in wooded ground, but probably from being the inhabitant of the less genial climate to which the species is extended. It appears not to differ from Lathy rus venosus of American botanists. Hab. Sands on the shore at Barra Firth, Unst, Shetland, where Dr. Edmonstone had observed it for several years. Ervum tetraspermum and Allium arenarium. — Hab. Near Kirkcud-bright. Cladium Mariscus. — Hab. Ravenston Loch, Whithorn. Lamium intermedium. — Hab. Shetland. Mr. Campbell read a communication from Col. P. J. Brown of Eichenbiihl nearThun, containing a sketch of the botany of the neigh-bourhood of the lake of Thun, Switzerland, chiefly in reference to the geographical distribution and altitude of the species enumerated. The lake of Thun having an elevation of about 1900 feet above the sea, and the surrounding country being much intersected by hills or long ridges, the vegetation assumes a subalpine character on the pas-tures about 1800 feet above the lake, comprising Trollius europceus, Hieracium aureum, Tussilago alpina, &c. The following is given as an approximation to the species usually met with at different altitudes on the surrounding mountains. Between 2000 and 3000 feet, Arena-ria verna and ciliata, Dry as octopetala, Cotoneaster vulgaris, Hieracium villosum, &c. Between 3000 and 4000 feet, Silene acaulis, Cerastium alpinum,Phaca astragalina, Oarytropis uralensis,Saxifraga oppositifolia, Hieracium aurantiacum, Arbutus alpina, Ajuga alpina, Orchis pollens, Carcx atrata, &c. Above 4000 feet, Gnaphalium alpinum and Leon-topodium, Petrocallis pyrenaica, Draba tomentosa and stellata, Andro-sace bryoides, &c. Col. Brown concludes his paper by stating that he hopes to be able to communicate fuller information as to the pre-cise elevations of the different localities mentioned on some future occasion. ROYAL ASIATIC SOCIETY. April 21. — Professor Wilson in the Chair. Dr. Royle read a communication from Colonel Sykes, respecting the vegetable and other productions of the Deccan, having reference to a similar communication at the beginning of the year, showing their immense extent in the eastern continent and adjacent penin-sula, which yet remained to be made subservient to the arts and ma-nufactures of this country. The paper was accompanied by a great variety of specimens and an extensive herbarium. These he divided into the gummy, the astringent, the fibrous, the oil-producing, and the saponaceous and dyeing, being classified according to their uses in the arts. The caoutchouc, belonging to the first class, was be-
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