very sweet. The nectarine is found in gardens in Northern India, where it is called shufft-aloo, and moondla (smooth) aroo, though it does not perfectly ripen its fruit, nor is it known from whence it was introduced, though probably from Caubul.

The apricot is very abundant round almost every village in the Himalayas, rendering it difficult to ascertain whether it be ever found wild, as the trees remain the only vestiges of deserted villages. It has been supposed to be a native of the Oases of Egypt, in consequence of its name (burkook) being probably the original of the old term apricoke and Præcòcia; but as that is its name in the Arabic language, which prevails, like the apricot, over a great extent of the Oriental region, the same name is likely to be every where applied to it. At Caubul it is said to be preserved in fourteen different ways, with and without the stones, or the kernel left, or an almond substituted. (Burnes.) It is generally brought in this state into Northern India, under the name khoobanee; the Arabic name is mishmish: in Bokhara, where they are particularly fine, they are called bakur-khanee. In the Himalayas, the fruit is called zurd-aloo, chooloo, and chinaroo. In Kunawur, the fruit is dried on the tops of their houses, and, when pounded, mixed with their meal. It is chiefly cultivated on account of the beautiful oil which is expressed from the kernels. These may also be found in the bazaars, under the name of badamkohee, or hill almonds. The oil has a slight smell of hydrocyanic acid, and must resemble that from almonds, especially the bitter kind, or that obtained from Prùnus brigantiaca.

Specimens of the cherry, or aloo-baloo, which I obtained from Cashmere, appear to Dr. Lindley not to differ from the common species, which therefore is probably that met with at Caubul, perhaps also at Bokhara. The fruit of Cérasus Puddum, common in the Himalayas, is not edible, but is employed for making a well-flavored cherry brandy, though not distilled like the kirschenwasser; the bark (pudmak) is used in medicine, as is that of species of cherry in the United States and Mexico. Cérasus undulata and capricida (the last so called from the leaves being poisonous to goats), and C. cornùta, remarkable for its pod-like monstrosity, are handsome and showy trees, growing on lofty mountains, and worthy of introduction into England.

The plum is known in India in a dried state, under the name of aloobokhara, though chiefly cultivated about Ghuzni. It was seen by Lieut. Burnes, both at Koondooz and Bokhara, whence it may originally have been introduced into the kingdom of Caubul. Specimens of the plants from Cashmere appear to Dr. Lindley to be a new species, Prùnus bokhariensis nob. To this kind, kokamalis is applied as the Greek name, in Persian works on Materia Medica. From Irki, near Sabathoo, a small yellow thin-skinned and very juicy sweet plum was introduced into the Saharunpore Garden, and which, though I considered it to be a new species (P. Alòcha), is very like a variety of the common plum. It is this, probably, which is called green gage by travellers. Mr. Moorcroft also mentions a plum in Ludak, Cérasus tomentosa Wall Cat. N., 715. Prunus triflora Roxb. is a plum now common in gardens in India, which Dr. Roxburgh states was originally introduced from China. The peach, apricot, cherry and plum all exude gum in Northern India.

Of the Pomaceæ, the quince plants, introduced from Cashmere, do not differ from those already in India, Cydònia vulgàris Pers. The seeds (bihee dana) being mucilaginous, and used in medicine, are imported from Caubul and Cashmere into Northern, and by the Persian Gulf into Southern, India.

Of pears, that of Samurcund is most noted: they are plentiful at Caubul, and excellent at Peshawur; and are brought into India by the northern merchants from Cashmere and Boodurwar. In the gardens

of India, the only kind known is one introduced from China, Pyrus sínica, or sand-pear, which more nearly resembles the baking pear than any other I know. P. Pùshia Ham., P. variolosa Wall., or wild pear tree of the hills, attains a great size; but the fruit is not edible until it becomes somewhat decayed. P. lanàta and crenata are other species of this genus, which are found at higher elevations. The first affords an edible fruit called paltoo.

Apples alone of the tribe succeed well in the southern parts of India, as they are stated to be excellent at Bangalore and in Tirhoot; and, though small, of a good quality in most parts of Northern India. As an instance of the diffiulty attendant on the introduction of European plants into Northern India, it may be mentioned that an apple tree from Liverpool, in consequence of being the only one which survived, cost upwards of 701. before it was planted in the nursery at Mussooree, where, however, it was thriving along with the fruit trees introduced from Cashmere. The apple is grown in some of the villages of the Himalaya, as well as in Kunawur. They are remarkably fine at Peshawur and Caubul, and are brought down to India from Boodurwar and Cashmere. On the northern face of the mountains they are grown both at Balkh and Bokhara, and are remarkably fine at the former.(Royle's Illustrations of the Himalaya Mountains-Gard. Mag.)

ART. II. Foreign Notices.

London Horticultural Society's Show, May 14th, 1836.-On Saturday the 14th, the Horticultural Society of London had its first exhibition of flowers and fruit for this year. The day was deliciously fine; and, although vegetation is somewhat backward, the gardens looked as fresh and gay as possible in their young verdure. The company was quite crowded, as might naturally be expected, by those wishing a little fresh air. There were three bands in attendance on this occasion. The display of flowers was one of the least attractive that we have seen here -a circumstance owing, no doubt, to the protracted severities of the season, which repressed vegetation in the open air, and in hot-houses compelled the use of higher artificial temperature than is congenial to vegetable life. The whole delicate class of Cacti and Azaleas seemed particularly to have suffered from these unkindly influences; the pelargonium tribe bore less appearance of unhealthiness; the fruits looked, comparatively, in better condition; the specimens of Hamburgh grape were very luxuriant; some oranges were amongst the finest we have known of this country's growth; and the display of cucumbers was also good. While we have to remark that the flowers were less luxuriant in appearance, and more scanty in point of number, than we have before seen here; we need scarcely add, at the same time, that they formed a delightful exhibition. Amongst the visiters to the gardens we noticed the ambassador from Oude, who seemed much interested in a display of our northern rivalry with the brightest floral ornaments of his native land. The following is a list of prizes adjudged on the occasion :—

Gold Knightian Medal, to Messrs. Rollison, for the best stove Orchidacea; Mr. Green, gardener to Lady Antrobus, for stove or green-house plants, in collections of ten varieties.

Large Silver Medal, to Mr. W. Smith, for green-house azaleas; Mr. Green, for Cácti in flower; R. Gibson, Esq., for melon Cácti; J. Allcard, Esq., for ferns; Mr. Davis, gardener to Lady Clarke, for grapes;

Messrs. Luscombe and Pine, for heaths; Messrs. Rollison, for Asiatic Orchidacea; ditto, for American ditto; ditto, for a collection of stove and green-house plants; Mr. Lane, gardener to J. H. Farmer, Esq., for a collection of stove and green-house plants; Mr. J. Young, of Epsom, for a New Zealand plant; Mr. Green, for a Chinese plant.

Silver Knightian Medal, to Messrs. Wather, for hardy azaleas; Mr. W. Smith, for green-house azaleas; Mr. James Young, for ditto; Mr. Salter, for Amaryllaceae; Mr. Fuller, for ditto; Mr. Green, for calceolarias; Mr. Glenny, for ditto; Mr. J. Wilmot, for cucumbers; Mr. Lane, for ditto; Mr. Falconer, gardener to A. Palmer, Esq., for Cácti in flower; Mr. Rollison, for melon Cácti; Mr. Redding, gardener to Mrs. Marryatt, for ferns; Mr. Wilmott, of Isleworth, for grapes; Mr. Mountjoy, of Ealing, for heart's-ease; and Mr. Glenny, for ditto.-(Paxton's Hort. Reg.)

ART. III. Domestic Notices.

Juniperus virginiana.-Two splendid and ancient trees of this durable timber, may be seen growing each on the summit of a small diluvial hill near my present residence. Their unique and peculiar beauty, and singular similarity in size and form had long attracted my attention. In nearly a century they have been observed as comparatively of the same magnitude as now. I should think they might be as old or older than the settlement of the country. They are twin trees on twin hills. The circumference of the one is five feet and seven inches, and that of the other six feet. The length of trunk, exclusive of the base of the branches and crown of roots, answers in each to the circumference. Both are riven and decayed at the heart. The tops are nearly flat, and the annual increase of the branches very small. They are splendid specimens of the species. From their great size and elevated situation, they are conspicuous objects in the scenery, and would do honor to any park or lawn, as noble representatives of an American forest tree.-Yours, An Observer of Trees, South Hingham, Aug. 8.

Quere. Have any attempts been made, this season, to cultivate the far-famed "O'xalis crenata," the supposed rival of the unrivalled potato, and what the success?

Quere.-Is "Mòrus multicaúlis" a species, or a variety?

Zephryanthes rosea.-We recommend to the lovers of delicately beautiful plants, that interesting and pretty individual of the Amaryllùceæ, Zephyranthes ròsea.", We saw a bed of this species, a few days ago, which promised great beauty. It is tender, but needs only the same care as the splendid Tigrídia, near which it might be grown with great effect. Plant out the offsetts in the spring, and on the decay of the foliage remove them to a dry and warm situation for the winter. The bulbs are procured at any good collection of exotic plants.-R.

Microscopic beauty of the fruit of Aspidium marginàle.-Having occasion to examine, with a magnifying glass of considerable power, the indusium of the fruit on Aspídium marginàle, I was delighted to observe the rapid dehiscence of its beautiful conceptacles and evolution of its minute spores. The indusium of this fern is furnished with a lateral sinus, very distinct under a common pocket lens, which serves as an excellent character. Beneath it are the pedicillated conceptacles, which are sometimes thrown off from the common axis of the fruit, exhibiting their ring and entire figure. These elastically unroll themselves, and numerous minute bodies (which to the naked eye are but impalpable powder or dust), are scattered, leaving the ring entirely empty.

The process is so singular and beautiful, that its observation may be recommended to those who are fond of examining the wonders of the vegetable economy by the aid of the microscope.—(It.)

ART. IV. Massachusetts Horticultural Society.

Saturday, July 30th., 1836.-Exhibited. From T. Lee, Esq., Asclèpias tuberosa, Hibiscus vescàrius, Málva moschata, Gèum coccineum, Lysimachia quadrifòlia, Ròsa rubifòlia (?), &c. From M. P. Wilder, dahlias, viz:-Countess of Liverpool, British Queen, Brown's Ophelia, Dennissi coccinea, Widnall's Jason and Erecta. From S. Walker, Lysimachia vulgàris, Lythrum verticillàtum, Monárda didyma, Campanula persicæfòlia, plèno álbo, Clématis alpina, the dwarf-flowering horse-chestnut, dahlias, pinks, double scarlet lychnis, sweet scabiouses, &c. Prom the Messrs. Winship, Lilium candidum, Zephryánthes ròsea, Nèrium spléndens, Hoya carnosa, Gloxínia maculata Rudbeckia lasciniata, Lathyrus grandiflorus, Gladiolus natalensis, Hemerocállis cærulea, phloxes, pinks, heliotropiums, &c.; also, presented by Messrs. Winship, from the garden of the lady of Major Burt, of Worcester, three dahlia flowers, springing from one main stem. Hovey & Co., Phlóx pyramidalis penduliflòra, and p. álba fimbriata, Wheeleriana, and ròsea, Dracocéphalum altaiénse and rèpens, Coreópsis lanceolata, trípteris, and Atkinsoniana, Státice Gmelina, Delphinium máximum plèno, Campánula álbo plèno, yellow sweet sultans, new scarlet Zinnia, &c.; also, the following kinds of dahlias:-Springfield Rival, Countess of Liverpool, álba fimbriàta, Dennissi, and Widnall's Enchanter.

From

Fruits: Gooseberries of several kinds, from S. Walker, viz:-Roaring Lion, Hopley's Globe, Crown Bob, Yellow Viper, Lancaster Lad, Golden Lion, Whitesmith, Bank of England, and a seedling green gooseberry; seedling currants, very fine and large. From John Hovey, gooseberries of the following kinds: Whitesmith, Princess loyal, Hopley's Globe, and Red Lion. From S. Downer, petit Muscat pears. From J. L. L. F. Warren, Roaring Lion gooseberries; also, two fine muskmelons, and a squash.

Read. A paper by M. Emilien de Wael, of Antwerp, on the cultivation and acclimization of the Mòrus multicaúlis.

August 6th.-Exhibited. From S. Sweetser, dahlias, viz:-Duchess of Bedford, Beauty of Salem, Belladonna, Cockade Yellow, King of the Yellows, Emperor of the Yellows, Marchioness of Lothian, King of the Whites, Widnall's Enchanter, Widnall's Othello, Negro Boy, Barrett's Susanna, and crimson globe; Noisette Lamarque and Duc de Broglie roses; Gladiolus blándus, Coreópsis Atkinsoniana, poppies, &c. From R. T. Paine, Gladiolus blándus, hirsutus, and tiger flowers. From Messrs. Winship, Enothera glaúca, Clématis flámula, Lythrum salicària (?), Campánula azurea, Láthyrus tuberosus (?), Verónica incarnata (?), Eryngium planum, Hypéricum monogynum, Gloxínia speciosa, Melaleuca hypericifolia, Anthemis nóbilis pleno, Achilla'a phoenicea plèno, pinks, &c. From Wm. McCulloch, Verbèna venosa and seedling calceolarias. From M. P. Wilder, dahlias, viz:-Countess of Liverpool, Queen of the Dahlias, Queen of the Whites, Lady Fordwich, Queen of the Yellows, and Douglas's Augusta.

From Hovey & Co., dahlias of the following varieties:-Emperor of the Yellows, Douglas's Criterion, Beauty of Salem, Julia, Widnall's

Pactolus, Widnall's Othello, Widnall's Enchanter, Widnall's Phyllis, Well's Marpesa, Sulphurea excelsa, Sulphurea perfecta, and a new seedling; also, Diánthus supérbus, Phlóx americàna, Shepérdi, Wheeleriana, ròseum and pyramidàlis penduliflòra, Státice Gmelina, Coreópsis lanceolata and trípteris, and fine double dwarf larkspurs. From S. Walker, Valeriùna rùbra, Lythrum verticillàtum, Lysimachia vulgàris, Monárda purpurea, Cássia marylandica, Enothera Frazèri, phloxes, pinks, carnations, picotees, larkspurs, marygolds, &c.

Fruits:-From E. Vose, fine currants. From Joshua Gardener, Dorchester, white Juneating apples. From M. P. Wilder, Madeleine pears. From E. Breed, Charlestown, forced peaches. From John Heard, Esq., Madeleine pears. Gooseberries of several varieties were shown by Messrs. S. R. Johnson, William Kenrick and E. Breed.

August 13th.-Exhibited. From M. P. Wilder, dahlias of several varieties, viz:-Metropolitan Calypso, Levick's Shannon, Douglas's Augusta, Cedo Nulli, Queen of Whites, Well's Paragon, Belladonna, British Queen, Erecta, Dutchess of Bedford, Inwood's Iriel, and Dennissi coccinea. From S. Sweetser, dahlias:-King of Yellows, Laura, Lady Sefton, Lady Campbell, Granta, Widnall's Othello, Widnall's Chancellor, King of the Whites, Dutchess of Bedford, Cassina, Queen of Dahlias, Belladonna, Purple Globe, Crimson Globe, Yellow Turban and Lass of Richmond Hill. From S. Walker, several dahlias:Queen of Belgium, Fanny Kemble, Groombridge's Matchless, atropurpurea and crimson globe; also, several bouquets of flowers.

From Hovey & Co., the following kinds of dahlias:-Amanda, Agrippina, Andromeda, Rubicunda formosa, Dutchess of Bedford, Sulphurea perfecta, Insurmountable, Springfield Rival, Barratt's Susanna, Lord Liverpool, Widnall's Perfection, Widnall's Rising Sun, Widnall's Enchanter, Brewer's Rival King, Paragon of Perfection, and a fine seedling. From Jos. Breck, several kinds of dahlias, and a new seedling. From Messrs. Winship, a collection of various plants. From T. Mason, a bouquet of flowers.

Fruits: From J. Warren, Newton, seedling plums; an oblong purple fruit, of medium size, and valuable for its early maturity. From Thomas Mason, raspberries. From R. Manning, Beauty of Summer (Cox) and Madeleine (Pom. Mag.) pears.

August 20th.-Exhibited. From the Botanic garden, by Wm. Carter, dahlias, viz:-Teucer, Douglas's Augusta, Miss Pelham, Daphne, Amanda, Le Brilliant, Queen of the Dahlias, William IV., Queen of Wirtemberg, and a seedling of the latter; also, Hedychium Gardneriànum, Magnolia sp., three fine seedling phloxes, and a white seedling variety of the Lobèlia cardinalis. From O. Everett, jr., Boston, dahlias, viz:-Rose d'Amour, Daniel O'Connell, Levick's Commander-inChief, Agrippina and Shannon. From T. Mason, tea roses, anemones, pansies, statices, Gladiolus blándus, and several kinds of dahlias, viz: -Transcendant, King of Yellows, Countess of Liverpool, &c. From S. R. Johnson, dahlias, viz:-Harris's Fulminans, Widnall's Granta and Angelina. From S. Walker, Valeriùna rùbra, Zínnia élegans, var. coccinea, Verbèna chamædrifòlia, Dracocéphalum virginiànum, Verónica virgínicum, seedling delphinium, pansies, pinks, phloxes, &c., and several dahlias, viz:-Lord Liverpool, Agrippina, Brown's Ophelia, Le Brilliant, &c. From S. Sweetser, the following dahlias:-King of the Yellows, King of the Whites, Dennissi, Negro Boy, Emperor of the Yellows, Lady Grey, Lady Sefton, Transcendant, Paragon of Perfection, Foster's Premier, Countess of Liverpool, Springfield Rival, and Queen of Dahlias; also, a fine specimen of Coba a scandens. From Hovey & Co., several dahlias, viz:-Hermione, Jupiter, Coronet, Widnall's Clio, Widnall's Rising Sun, Cedo Nulli, Lord Liverpool, Rose