ART. II. Boston Journal of Natural History, containing Papers and Communications read to the Boston Society of Natural History, and published by their direction. Part I.-No. III. 150 pp. Hilliard, Gray & Co. Boston. 1836.

ANOTHER series of papers on the inexhaustible treasures of nature, read before the Society of Natural History in this city, lies before us. A very long communication on the new species of Hymenoptera, and observations on already described species, from the pen of that enterprising naturalist, Mr. Thomas Say, serves to enrich its pages and add to our knowledge of our native insect tribes. Most of the specimens we observed, are described as inhabiting Indiana, in which State, it is well known, this distinguished individual resided in the latter period of his life. An order of insects so extensive as the Hymenoptera compose, cannot be confined, in their locality, exclusively to the Western States, though only occurring in that locality, under the observation of the author of the essay. With the true spirit of minute and critical investigation, nothing seems to escape his penetrating and acute observation. From the very nails and tarsi of other species, he draws forth the devoted prey, and reduces it to order among the rest of his specimens. (Vide p. 294.) We cannot too much admire that spirit of microscopic research, which can derive satisfaction and improvement and confer benefit on others, from the minutest as the noblest work of Creative Power. We trust that whatever papers may be in the possession of the members of this society, which formerly belonged to Mr. Say, will appear in the future pages of their valuable Journal.

In the second article of the present number, we travel with the state geologist of Massachusetts on an interesting geological tour in the vicinity of Portland, Me. Several singular phenomena are presented to us, and some ingenious and plausible theories. In the clay, which he calls the "nearest tertiary" formation, he finds several interesting species of fossil shells; of Nucula, Mya, Sanicara, Bulla. We know not how long fossils have been known to exist on our eastern Atlantic coast, even several miles from the sea, but have in our possession several interesting species both from Maine and our own State, discovered, as we presume, in a similar situation, not only identical with native, but even with foreign co-species.

In arranging the Cabinet of Icthyology, its curator was led to examine the catalogue of the fishes of Massachusetts appended to Prof. Hitchcock's "Geology," etc., of the State. We were glad to see this paper, as we long suspected an incorrect list, and even an imperfect one, was affixed to the above work. Twelve individual species of various genera have been mentioned, omitted in

the catalogue. We would suggest whether several more may not still be appended to the list. In the mouths of small fresh streams, where they enter into the sea, may be found an elegant little fish, which we have reason to suppose, without any other means of ascertaining than we possess, a beautiful species of Gastrosteus, (stickle back,) and it is not unlikely that this is not the only species. Do the mud fishes of Le Lueur, which he separated from the Cyprinidæ, comprise the minnows of marine or fresh waters? We could wish to see a work of a purely scientific character, with plain and correct figures of each genus, on our natiye fishes, and trust that the further researches of Dr. Storer will lead to some such result.

An analysis of several coals, by Dr. Jackson, closes the present number. The newly discovered Mansfield anthracite was also subjected to his investigation. It resembles, in combustion, the Peach Mountain, of Pennsylvania. Time and labor will only decide whether its discovery will be of any real importance, or its existence and presence be of any considerable extent.

R.

MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE.

ART. I. General Notices.

Irregular Metamorphoses of Plants. In flowers, irregular metamorphoses are extremely common: they consist of a multiplicity of the petals, of a transformation of the petals into stamens, and a change in color or in scent. In roses the multiplication of petals is the nearly universal cause of the double state of these flowers; in the rose cillet and many anemones, impletion depends upon the conversion of petals into

stamens.

With regard to color, its infinite changes and metamorphoses in almost every cultivated flower can be compared to nothing but the alterations caused in the plumage of birds or the hair of animals by domestication. No cause has ever been assigned for these phenomena, neither has any attempt been made to determine the cause in plants.

We are, however, in possession of the knowledge of some of the laws under which change of color is effected. A blue flower will change to white or red, but not to bright yellow; a bright yellow flower will become white or red, but never blue. Thus the hyacinth, of which the primitive color is blue, produces abundance of white and red varieties, but nothing that can be compared to bright yellow; the yellow hyacinths, so called, being a sort of pale yellow ochre color, verging to green. Again, the ranunculus, which is originally of an intense yellow, sports into

scarlet, red, purple, and almost any color but blue. White flowers which have a tendency to produce red will never sport to blue, although they will to yellow; the rose, for example, and chrysanthemums. It is also probable that white flowers with a tendency to produce blue, will not vary to yellow.

Scent varies in degree rather than in nature; some plants which are but slightly perfumed, as the common China rose, acquire a powerful fragrance when converted to the variety called the sweet-scented; but there is no decided difference of scent among varieties of the same species.

Metamorphoses of fruit are very common, and administer largely to the wants of mankind. They consist of alteration in color, size, flavor, scent, and structure. The wild blue sloe of our hedges has, in the course of ages, by successive domestication, been converted into the purple, white, and yellow plums of our desserts. The wild crab is the original from which have sprung the many colored and excellent varieties of apple; some of which are scentless, others scented like the pine-apple and rose. In peas the parchment-like lining of the pod occasionally disappears, and the whole substance of the seed-vessel consists of lax succulent membrane.

Having thus passed in review the irregular metamorphoses of plants through all the different parts, there still remains a subject on which it is requisite to say a few words. This is the permanency of such metamorphoses, or their capability of being perpetuated by seeds. It is a general law of nature, that seeds will perpetuate a species, but not a variety; and this is no doubt true, if rightly considered; and yet it may be urged, if this be so, how have the varieties, well known to gardeners and agriculturists, for many years been unceasingly carried on from generation to generation without change? The long red, and round white radishes of the markets, for instance, have been known, from time immemorial, in the same state in which they now exist. The answer is this: a species will perpetuate itself from seed for ever, under any circumstances, and left to the simple aid of nature; but accidental varieties cannot be so perpetuated: if suffered to become wild, they very soon revert to the form from which they originally sprung. It is necessary that they be cultivated with the utmost care; that seed should be saved from those individuals only in which the marks of the variety are most distinctly conspicuous; and all plants that indicate any tendency to throw off their peculiar characteristics should be rejected. If this be carefully done, the existence of any variety of annual or perennial plant may undoubtedly be prolonged through many generations; but in woody plants this scarcely happens, it being a rare occurrence to find any variety of tree or shrub producing its like when increased by seed.-(Lindley's Introd. to Botany.)

ART. II. Foreign Notices.

ENGLAND.

New Species of the Dahlia.-Mr. Lambert exhibited before the Linnæan Society on November 3d, last, a branch and leaves of an arborescent spe

cies of dahlia, from Oaxaca, Mexico, which is said to grow to the height of fifty feet. There are living plants of it in the Liverpool Botanic Garden. (Gard. Mag.)

Ribes glutinosum.-Dried specimens of a species, with several others, under this name, were sent to the London Horticultural Society, by Mr. Douglas, during the years 1831, 1832, and 1833. The plants have not yet flowered (1835). It is nearly allied to sanguineum, but promises to exceed the latter in beauty; the bunches of flowers are twice the length of the bunches of sanguineum, and contain, at least, from thirty to forty flowers, which are borne on long slender pedicils; the color of the flowers is red. It is perfectly hardy, and grows in common garden soil. Hort. Trans.)

CHINA.

Chinese Style of Gardening.-The style of Chinese gardening, like all their other arts, is peculiar; they have no idea of spacious landscape; there is a littleness in all their designs; they have no desire for a small part of even the grandest features of nature: lakes, where a mackerel would be puzzled to turn; rocks which a man may carry away under his arm; aged trees fifteen inches high; and thick forests of pines composed of equisetum. Of whatever extent the ground may be, it is all divided into little squares, parallelograms, or irregular areas of a few square yards or perches. These compartments are surrounded by low brick walls, having a flat coping, on which are placed flowering plants, in fine glazed porcelain pots. The paths are often composed of flat stones, not two of which are on the same level, if near together. A great deal of trelliswork are in the gardens, either appearing like the remains of former fences, or as coverings of naked walls. If a ditch or artificial hollow be in the garden, it must be crossed by a semi-circular arch of four or five feet span. Their little tanks of water are not considered beautiful until they are completely covered with ducks'-meat (Lémna); in short, there are so many childish freaks which constitute the beauty of a Chinese garden, that it is astonishing so clever and civilized a people can be gratified with such puerile efforts of unnatural taste. As far, however, as their collections of flowering plants decorate a garden, the assemblage is enchanting. Their magnolias, bombaces, azaleas, camellias, ixoras, pæonias, &c., not to mention the great variety of herbaceous and aquatic plants natural to the country, are indeed magnificent; indeed one of the finest traits of the Chinese character is their fondness for flowers.-J. Main, in Hort. Reg.)

ART. III. Domestic Notices.

Stray Leaf from Nature's Calendar, for May 18th.-Crimson, and green, and pure white! and what shades of verdant hue! With what magic power the woods have put on the cheerful livery of joyous and welcome spring. We might fancy that each shrub and tree was vieing with its next neighbor in displaying its natural elegance, beauty, or loveliness.

Do you see that shining and deep green sempervirent holly; unchanged and almost unchangeable it still remains as when its full developed foliage clothed its stout branches last summer. It has already lent its aid to enliven, by contrast, the barren majesty of winter, and still shines conspicuous in its unfaded glory. Next that group of white stemmed, graceful birches, now tremulous to every breath of genial spring in their lighter green and delicate foliage, and long pendent aments. The hardy and slow growing oaks are unfolding their tender leaves, green, crimson, yellow, and displaying their modest flowers, the future embryo acorn, for a future growth. The firm, rigid and silky envelops of the walnuts, in their numerous species, are expanded, and silently dropping from the bases of yet unfolded leaflets, no longer needed as guardians from injury and cold. The native prototypes of our delicious garden plums and apricots and pears, are lending their snow petals to fill up the picture, and, as you approach the meadow or the tangled thicket of the adjoining swamp, there meets your eye the bell-formed and nectared cups of the Vaccinia, or the lovely pearl necklaced corols of the early andromeda, before which the Ericaceae of more torrid regions fade in relative beauty.. A few days has effected this mighty change,

"Shade unperceived still softening into shade ;"

so that even the most ardent admirer of autumn's varied and fading livery could now find each combination of coloring more delicately formed and exquisitely blended, than the silent precursor of icy winter can display. This is life, vital energy, the vigor of vegetable economy, and that, the consummation and decay of perfected organization. Nor is the latter unpleasing, nor conveys it ideas of sadness and gloom. Na ture is ever joyous and exhilarating. We want but the disposition to regard her operation as all beautiful in their time, to render her influence over our constant happiness effectual.-Yours, R.

Fine Varieties of the Dahlia.-This plant is now so well known and so universally admired that it is hardly necessary to say any thing upon its cultivation. In making a selection out of the great number of varieties now offered for sale, I send you a list of twelve for the beginner, viz. :

Agrippina, mottled white.

Countess of Liverpool, superb scarlet.

Dennisii, fine ruby.

Douglas's Augusta, shaded purple.
King of the Whites, delicate

paper

white.

Lord Liverpool, fine dark puce.

Richardson's Alicia, white spotted.

Springfield Rival, dark rosy crimson.

Duchess of Bedford, brilliant scarlet.

Jason, bright gold color.

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Perfection, superb rosy crimson.

Queen of Dahlias, white, with rosy lilac edge.

Yours, S. Walker, Roxbury, April, 1836.

Perspiration of Plants.-A beautiful instance of the very sensible perspiration of those plants, the venation of whose leaves are straight, (endogenæ), occurred to my observation this morning, on the young leaves of Tigridia, pavònia and T. conchiflora." A similar exudation of superflu ous sap takes place in the Gramineæ, which, unless noticed before sunrise, escapes detection, as it rapidly passes off by the increased heat of the atmosphere. A large crystal drop of inodorous and tasteless liquid flowed from the summit of each leaf, and when removed, was replaced by another. The atmosphere of the room was a little drier than that without, and so cool as to render the `exudation perceptible for several hours. Com. by J. L. R., May 25.)