In recalling the historical events which have invested this town with interest, we had nearly omitted to state, that a tradition exists here, that _Tobacco_ was first smoked by _Sir Walter Raleigh_ in Penzance, on his landing from America. By the Philosopher of a future age Penzance will, doubtless, as the birth place of the illustrious SIR HUMPHRY DAVY, be regarded with no ordinary share of interest; and to those who may be led to perform a pilgrimage to the early laboratory of this highly gifted philosopher, the vignette at the head of the present chapter will be found materially useful in directing his steps.[22] It would be inconsistent with the plan and objects of the present work to enter into the details of biography, that duty must be reserved for an abler pen, we shall therefore only state that the present distinguished President of the Royal Society was born in this town in the year 1779, and that after having received the earlier part of his education under _Dr. Cardew_ at Truro, he was placed with a respectable professional gentleman of Penzance, of the name of _Tonkin_, in order that he might acquire a knowledge of the profession of a surgeon and apothecary. His early proofs of genius, however, having attracted a gentleman well known for his strong perception of character, he was fortunately removed to a field better calculated to call forth the latent energies of his mind. The result is too well known to require comment. In the vicinity of the town are delightful walks through shady dingles, and over swelling hills, from whose summits we catch the most delicious sea and land prospects; and which are not a little heightened in beauty and effect by the glowing aerial tints so remarkably displayed in this climate at the rising and setting of the sun. Here too the Botanist may cull, in his rambles, a great variety of rare indigenous plants; with a catalogue[23] of which we shall now close the present chapter. LIST OF INDIGENOUS PLANTS OF WESTERN CORNWALL. Alisma Damasonium (_Star-headed Water Plantain_) between Penzance and Marazion. A---- Ranuncoloides. Marazion Marsh. Anchusa Officinalis (_Common Alkanet_) St. Ives, &c. Anethum Foeniculum, common near Marazion. A---- Graveolens. Marazion Marsh. Aquilegia Vulgaris (_Common Columbine_) St. Ives, Goldsithney, &c. Antirrhinum Orontium (_Lesser Snapdragon_) Gulval, Land's End. A---- Montspessilanum (_Bee Orchis_) Penhryn. Anthemis Nobilis (_Common Chamomile_) passim. Anthyllis Vulneraria (_dwarf with a red flower_.) (_Kidney-Vetch_, _Ladies' Finger_). Downs, Whitsand Bay. Aspidium Oriopteris (_Heath Shield-fern_) Gear Stamps and New Mill. Aspidium Dilatatum. Variety. (_Great Crested ditto_) Moist Banks. Asplenium Marinum (_Sea Spleenwort_) St. Michael's Mount, Land's End, Logan rock. A---- Lanceolatum (_Lanceolate ditto_) Gulval, St. Michael's Mount, Lemorna Cove, &c.