SELEUCUS.
Champak (Vol. iii., p. 84.).
—A correspondent, C. P. PH***., asks "What is Champak?" He will find a full description of the plant in Sir William Jones's "Botanical Observations on Select Indian Plants," vol. v. pp. 128-30. Works, ed. 1807. In speaking of it, he says:
"The strong aromatic scent of the gold-coloured Champac is thought offensive to the bees, who are never seen on its blossoms; but their elegant appearance on the black hair of the Indian women is mentioned by Rumphius; and both facts have supplied the Sanscrit poets with elegant allusions."
Miscellaneous.
NOTES ON BOOKS, SALES, CATALOGUES, ETC.
The first volume issued to the members of the Camden Society in return for the present year's subscription affords in more than one way evidence of the utility of that Society. It is an account of Moneys received and paid for Secret Services of Charles II. and James II., and is edited by Mr. Akerman from a MS. in the possession of William Selby Lowndes, Esq. Of the value of the book as materials towards illustrating the history of the period over which the payments extend, namely from March 1679 to December 1688, there can be as little doubt, as there can be that but for the Camden Society it never could have been published. As a publishing speculation it could not have tempted any bookseller; even if its owner would have consented to its being so given to the world: and yet that in the simple entries of payments to the Duchess of Portsmouth, to "Mrs. Ellinor Gwynne," to "Titus Oates," to the Pendrells, &c., will be found much to throw light upon many obscure passages of this eventful period of our national history, it is probable that future editions of Mr. Macaulay's brilliant narrative of it will afford ample proof.
The Antiquarian Etching Club, which was instituted two or three years since for the purpose of rescuing from oblivion, and preserving by means of the graver, objects of antiquarian interest, has just issued the first part of its publications for 1851. This contains twenty-one plates of various degrees of merit, but all of great interest to the antiquary, who looks rather for fidelity of representation than for artistic effect.
CATALOGUES RECEIVED.—G. Bumstead's (205. High Holborn), Catalogue, Part LI., containing many singularly Curious Books; James Darling's (Great Queen Street, Lincoln's Inn Fields) Catalogue, Part 49. of Books chiefly Theological.