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XVII. ''An Account of a new Genus of New Holland Plants named Brunonia. By James Edward Smith, M.D. F.R.S. P.L.S.''

Read February 6, 1810.

the knowledge of the genus of plants of which I now propose to offer an account to the Linnean Society, I am obliged to Mr. Robert Brown, Librarian to the Society, who discovered it in the course of his botanical researches in New Holland. A very interesting part of his rich harvest in that country occupies a large portion of the present volume of our Transactions. With such a proof of his genius and abilities before us, any testimony of mine to the same purpose would be altogether superfluous; but I am anxious to seize an opportunity, which, at my earnest solicitation, Mr. Brown has afforded me, of gratifying my own personal friendship, while I do public justice to his merits, in dedicating this new and very distinct genus to his honour. In order to accomplish this, as there is already a Brownea, in memory of the natural historian of Jamaica, I am obliged to adopt a contrivance, unexceptionable in itself, and authorized by precedent, of preserving as much resemblance to his name as possible, while I avoid all ambiguity with the Brownea previously established, in calling my genus Brunonia. Of this, consisting of two species, I shall now proceed to offer a systematic description, subjoining some remarks on its botanical affinity, which is enveloped in no small degree of obscurity.