opportunity of enjoying to the fall this delightful change, and Cryptomeria japonica and C. Lobbii, two trees exceedingly ima few hours' delay in Edinburgh enabled me to take a leisurely patient of unfavourable conditions, and scarcely ever succeedstroll in the Botanical Gardens of that city, and to make a ing well in warmer latitudes, are thriving here. A noble. few mental notes of the more striking features of the place. collection of Junipers finds a place also, their silvery hue and I was unfortunate in not having the Curator's company until close pyramidal habit marking them as plants of great use for late in the afternoon, so that I may probably have overlooked situations where contrast with the grassy green Conifers is many matters worthy of special observation. The good people desired. Of this silvery glaucous habit, too, are the Cedars, of Edinburgh ought to feel a pride in this noble establishment, Deodara being especially striking, the pendulous tips of its and to set a proper estimate upon the ability and devotion of branches falling over with exquisite grace. Some of the speciits Curator, Mr. McNab. It would indeed be matter for regret mens of this Cedar have been here carefully pruned; and if the inhabitants failed to fully utilise the advantages they though, as a rule, coniferous plants are not improved by the possess for attaining that knowledge of useful plants, of use of the knife, certainly in the case of the trees under notice botany, of vegetable physiology, and of culture which the they evince a great advance over those of the same age left establishment is so well adapted to impart.

to develope their natural habit. The talented Curator of these Entering the garden, one is at once impressed with the gardens (Mr. McNab) is an advocate for the judicious use of vigorous health of the plants which arrest the eye. The grand the knife, and contends that where trees are planted under collection of Hollies I have never seen approached; they are artificial conditions, man is called upon to exercise something evidently great favourites with the Curator, and one's only like intelligence in their treatment. Whatever may be said regret in looking at these beautiful plants is that the Holly for or against the system, the trees in these gardens are a will not thrive well in any part of Australia. It is essentially sufficient answer as to their culture and training. a plant of cold latitudes, and in Britain have originated nearly Araucaria imbricata is a noble specimen here, and one can all the fancy varieties which glorify the winter gardens of only wish that the Araucarias of southern latitudes would Europe. In the Edinburgh gardens the Holly has found a thrive equally well in the British Isles. Araucaria excelsa, home perfectly congenial to its taste; the plants look “merry A. Rulei, A. Cookii, which are but poorly represented, with with health," their deep green foliage and clean burnished Araucaria Cunninghami and Araucaria Bidwillii in the greenstems indicating the enjoyment of wanton health and vigour. house at Edinburgh, would soon become as popular as they As we pass along the chief entrance walk several fine examples are with Australian gardeners. I notice here a distinction is of Silver and Golden forms of Variegated Hollies are met with, made between the Araucarias and the Altingeas, the latter emand as the visitor turns to his left a very extensive collection bracing the old Araucaria excelsa, A. Cunninghamii, A. Rulei, is planted. The most marked forms are, perhaps, the Leather and A. Cockii. The visitor from Australia is apt to rebel leaved, with undulating edges; the Moonshine; Hodginsii, against the innovation, which is, however, found to be perwith large glossy Laurel-like foliage; arbutifolia; the green fectly correct and scientific, the term Araucaria being applied and golden-veined Hedgehogs; the small-leaved myrtifolia, to the Chili and Queensland Pines-Araucaria imbricata and ciliata, and crassifolia of neat and compact habit; latifolia, A. Bidwillii, the Bunya Buuya of the Australian aborigine. nigrescens, and Tarago, with large Ficus-like leaves. Indeed One cannot help regretting that the climate of Britain is un. the wholo collection is worthy of notice, every member being suitable for the Norfolk Island Pine-perhaps the most graceful interesting from scme special quality in the foliage and habit known plant, and for the varieties named after Cook and Rule, recommending it for culture.

both differing but slightly from excelsa. But, then, fully Passing by many fine specimens of trees and shrubs which atoning for this drawback, is the facility with which the Birch, cannot fail to impress the visitor, one's attention is attracted the Beech, the Holly, the Aucuba, and the Rhododendron by the magnificent collection of Conifers, and particularly by grow and develope their varied beauties. All these do not the Piceas, Abies, Thujas, Wellingtonias, Cedars, Biotas, Ju- stand the heat of an Australian summer well, and seem pernipers, and Cypress. Among Piceas, grand plants are here to fectly at home in the cold wet climate of the north of Great be seen of Lowii, Nordmauniana, Pinsapo, robusta, nobilis, Britain. Fraserii, grandis, amabilis, and magnifica; the last-named A feature in the Edinburgh gardens which appears to attract being truly a beautiful specimen of this symmetrical section the attention of visitors is a clever arrangement of rockwork, of Coniferæ. In the Abies division—a section distinguished upon which are growing innumerable succulent and other suitfrom the Piceas by a foliage of paler green and more slim able plants to such positions. The black soil contrasts adhabit—there are observable many forms of Abies excelsa, all mirably with the quartz and granite blocks, margined by the partaking of its general character, but differing widely in their grass sward, and the luxuriant growth of the creeping plants habit of growth. Echinæformis, inverta, elegans, monstrosa, 1 gives to the whole a most novel and refreshing appearance. and pygmæa, with the dwarf compact Clanbrasiliana, are ex- There are some finely developed specimens of deciduous amples of these departures from the normal form of Abies trees in the gardens, the Weeping Silver Birch, the Beech, the excelsa. Abies Hookeriana glauca, Pattoninna, and William- pendulous and other ornamental Thorns, the Pavia, Sweet sonii, all hailing from California, that paradise of Conifers, Chestnut, Alnus, and Oak; but next to the Hollies and the are represented by fine robust trees.

grand collection of rare Conifers, the evergreen shrubs claim Looking from the top of the walk which runs through the attention. The Aucubas, Portugal Laurels, Rhododendrons, pinetum, over the collection of Thujas, Biotas, Thujopsis, and and Yews are worthy of a special article in their praise. These Cupressus, the eye is able to take in the vast variation in fully reconcile one to the change from the Australian climate, colour and in the shades of the group. All have a more where the heat and general aridity of the soil render the sombre garb at this season of the year, yet they even now culture of these plants nearly impossible. Of the Quercus afford the most pleasing and marked contrasts. Biota orien- Ilex (Evergreen Oak), a good tree occupies the border on the talis, B. nepalensis and dumosa, Thuja meldensis, T. antarc- right as the visitor enters, and fine plants of the Portugal tica, Libocedrus decurrens, and L. chilensis, the Chilian Ar- Laurel, 18 feet high, are near to the Oak named. Buxus bor-Vitæ, are most effective specimens, varying in their hue arborea, the Tree Box, a plant about 12 feet high already, is from a glaucous green to russety purplish blue as they interesting, as furnishing the wood for engravers' use. Arassume their winter coat, and changing almost monthly to butus Unedo, the Strawberry Tree of the Irish lake district, is various shades of green, purple, and gold. A fine specimen of here covered with its waxy blossoms, and the Irish and other Thujopsis borealis, 18 feet high and well furnished, and one forms of Yew all vividly impress the memory with their outof T. dolabrata, a very striking Japanese plant, are worthy of line. study, their singular processes which do duty as foliage One cannot but regret that no catalogue of the gardens is rendering them very distinct from other Conifers. Among yet available. Surely such a boon would soon repay the cost, Cypresses there are some wonderfully fine Lawsonianas, a for no visitor would incur the trouble of charging his memory species which may be pronounced one of the finest and most with the many beautiful objects here to be seen if a printed useful plants for ornamental work; it stands a great range list of the plants were available at a moderate price. There of temperature and any amount of exposure, thriving well in are lots of speculative canny “cits” of Edinburgh who would the cold wet north as in the warm and dry districts near the produce the work, and be quite content with the proceeds; tho equator.

printers of the place are welcome to the suggestion. The Wellingtonias from seed, and others from cuttings, doing book, like the Kew catalogue, should contain not merely a dry equally well, form a conspicuous group close by, and fine list of hard names, but after each of the more interesting specimens of the Taxodium (Sequoia) sempervirens, & plant plants some few particulars as to its discovery, its use in the furnishing the Californian red cedar, is perfectly hardy here. arts, and its natural habitat and peculiarities. Such a book

would be readily purchased by, and be a great convenience to the apparent idea that it is the first week in April.—ALAN visitors; and, moreover, it would add greatly to the efficiency CHEALES, Brockham Vicarage, Surrey. of the gardens in an educational point of view.

In the Edinburgh gardens the visitor is struck by the health and evident robustness of the various Conifers in their cold PORTRAITS OF PLANTS, FLOWERS, AND FRUITS. and humid home. Having so recently seen many, though not BATEMANIA BURTII. Nat. ord., Orchidaceæ. Lin. arr., Gynall, of these trees growing luxuriantly in the warm dry soils andria Monogynia.—This species is a native of Costa Rica. and under full exposure to the warm sun of the Victorian cli- Sepals and petals spreading, broadly elliptic ovate, fleshy, unmate, one cannot but be surprised at the great range of climate dulate, rich red brown with yellow rounded spots, and yellow in which these hardy Conifers (for the most part natives of bases. Lip white except the distal half, which is dull brownish cold latitudes), thrive. Only, indeed, in one instance did I purple. Claw white, with incurved setiform teeth. Column notice in the Edinburgh gardens that a plant had suffered hooded, tip green, dorsally keeled.—(Bot. Mag., t. 6003.) from frost, and that was in the case of Picea Webbiana, a SALVIA DICHROA. Nat. ord., Labiatæ. Linn. arr., Diandria native of Nepaul. The test for this and some of the European Monogynia.--A native of the Greater Atlas. Leaves, lower ones Abies is a crucial one, for the frosts must be very severe. oblong ovate, petioled, irregular sinuate, serrate, pubescent;

I would like to have noticed at length the plants in the upper sessile, oblong elliptic. Calyx subcampanulate, twoPalm and temperate houses, but this sketch has already ex- lipped in the middle, glandular pubescent; upper lip with tended beyond what I know to be your limits for mere gossip. three small teeth. Corolla, upper lip bright blue, arcuate, On some other occasion I may have something to say upon laterally compressed, pubescent; lower lip three-lobed; lateral these well-kept houses of luxuriant and healthy plants of lobes pale blue.—(Ibid., t. 6004.) tropical zones, and upon the systematic arrangement of plants LILIUM CONCOLOR, var. SINICUM. Nat. ord., Liliaceæ. Linn. of economic value in the outside garden. I fear I must leave arr., Hexandria Monogynia.---Native of China. Leaves scatunsaid my praises of the excellent museum of practical botany, tered, 2 to 4 inches long, narrowly elliptic, dark green, pubescent my stay being too short to enable me to do more than glance beneath. Flowers scarlet, with small blackish spots on the at the order and completeness of the place.-W. C.

throat. Ovary green, three-grooved, with three terminal knobs ; style clavate ; stigma three-lobed, red.—(Ibid., t. 6005.)

Uvaria KIRKI. Nat. ord., Anonaceæ. Linn. arr., Polyandria LA FRANCE ROSE.

Polygynia.--Native of Zanzibar. Leaves from 11 to 5 inches With regard to this Rose, I fear I am in a somewhat dis- in length, rusty below when young, but smooth when older. reputable minority of one. All your correspondents speak of Flowers 3 inches in diameter, solitary and axillary. Petals it with unbounded admiration; and Mr. Beachey, in his late large, thin, of a pale dirty straw colour outside, suffused with interesting and excellent articles, places La France as the se- verdigris-green on the lower third.—(Ibid.,

t. 6006.) cond best Rose in existence. Not only as grown by me, but as DENDROBIUM CRYSOCREPIS. Nat. ord., Orchidaceæ. Linn. I have seen it in prize stands, it has generally presented a hard arr., Gynandria Monogynia. -Native of Moulmein. Flowers closed conical centre, surrounded by a few flabby outside golden yellow, with a deeper more orange-coloured lip. Dorsal petals. A really well-expanded flower I have rarely seen. As sepals and petals concave, rounded and apiculate at the top. to the scent which is so much vaunted, that is a mere matter Lip pyriform, slipper-shaped, ventricose.—(Ibid., t. 6007.) of taste. To me it seems like the common old China, and not BOWENIA SPECTABILIS, FEM. Nat. ord., Cycadaceæ. Linn. arr. to be named with Goubault or the fragrant varieties of Rosa Decandria Monogynia. -Native of Tropical Australia. The alba.-G. S.

tuberous stem of Bowenia has the property of remaining, [“ G. S.," seems surprised that La France should be con- dormant for years and resisting all excitement to growth. sidered as worthy of so much praise, and yet in the lists pub- Dr. Hɔoker remarks, " The ripe fruiting cone is very curious, lished in the Journal of December 19th it is classed as the and quite unlike any other Cycadeous fruits which I am acsixth in order of merit, and as No. 5 among the twelve. It is quainted with; it is about the size of a human fist, and contrue that this year has not been a favourable season, but there sists of about twenty broadly ellipsoid nuts, 1 inch in long is no Rose so continuous in its bloom, not even excepting diameter, adhering in pairs to the shrivelled scales, and these Gloire de Dijon ; and though it is apt sometimes to have to the axis in a very irregular manner, the scales having shrunk a hard conical centre, yet I have seen few more beautiful so much that the seeds are completely exposed, and point in Roses than a fine well-expanded bloom of La France. The various directions, seldom retaining their original position, texture of the petals is perhaps not all that can be desired, but which is inwards or towards the axis."--(Ibid., 1. 6008.) if I had to grow only twelve Roses, La France would be

BOUVARDIA VREELANDII.-"

-" This remarkably useful decocertainly one of the twelve. The old adage will, however, be rative plant has been introduced recently from the United true to the end-Quot homines, tot sententia.-C. P. P.]-[We States, and is a root-sport from Bouvardia Hogarth—the wish our coadjutor would not make us hunt up our Terence latter, a plant of hybrid origin, having been raised by the late -we found it, but shall not translate his quotation; but we

Mr. Parsons, of Brighton, from B. longiflora crossed by will paraphrase it with the old English proverb—“Everyone B. leiantha. It is from the latter parent no doubt that it has has his fancy, as the old woman said when she kissed her derived its remarkably free-flowering habit. This B. Hogarth cow.”—Eds.)

is exactly intermediate between its parents, having flowers

about half the size of the white-flowered B. longiflora, and DESTRUCTIVE FIRE AT MR. MESSENGER'S HORTICULTURAL

having also the free and continuous-blooming habit of B. leiWonks.—Very much do we regret to read that the works and antha, while the colour of the flowers is intermediate. It is machinery of Mr. T. G. Messenger, Horticultural Builder,

one of the many examples which show the tendency to sport Loughborough, have been destroyed by fire. Distressing as the has reverted to the white colour of one of its parents. This

-even from their roots—which is found in hybrids, since it effects of the fire have been, it is some consolation to learn chaste and lovely novelty was raised by Mr. S. B. Vreeland, that the workmen, whose chests of tools have been sacrificed, of Greenville, Hudson Co., N.J., and has proved to be one of will not suffer much through loss of time, as temporary the finest plants we have for winter decorations, and for premises have already been taken to carry on the business, bouquets. Its free-blooming habit is one of its most striking and the workshops will be immediately rebuilt. The prin characteristics. Young plants turned out into the open ground cipal loss is in the very large stock of prepared woodwork ready about the end of May will yield a mass of bloom through the for erection, all being painted ready for sending off. Fortunately the bulk of Mr. Messenger's dry timber was stowed summer, and if taken up in the autumn will continue in a in other parts of the town, and thus saved from the general doors the flowers are of a beautiful blush tint, while under

warm greenhouse to flower all through the winter. Out of wreck.

glass it comes a pure white. The culture of this and other

kindred Bouvardias is not generally well understood. Mr. Roses DECEIVED BY THE SEASON.—As an instance of the Standish's experience points out that they all, whether grown extreme mildness of the present season, and the perpetual in pots or planted in the open ground, require a very rich and character of some of the Tea Roses, I may mention that we light soil, and in any case should have in their compost at have here on Christmas-eve Rubens, Gloire de Dijon, and least one-third of well-decomposed manure. In such a soil Safrano out in flower; Louise de Savoie, Alba Rosea, Narcisse, they grow freely and flower profusely. In winter the plants and Goubault in bud ; and Isabella Gray just starting with should be grown in houses with a night temperature of about smaller bloom-buds. Céline Forestier is out in leaf, under | 50°.”—(Florist and Pomologist, V., p. 241.)

CLEMATIS VITICELLA RUBRA GRANDIFLORA AND MARMORATA.- three segments, which fully equal the simpler leaflets in size. “ The immense and deserved popularity which the Clematis The flowers, which are abundant and successional, measure has obtained as a hardy flower, has resulted mainly from the about 3 inches across, and are composed of from four or six success which has attended the crossing of C. lanuginosa with sepals of a rich bright claret-crimson, with green stamens. certain forms of C. Viticella. It is from this species that the This charming variety, which has much the habit of C. Viti. remarkably floriferous habit of such sorts as C. Jackmanni and cella venosa, and like it is a most valuable acquisition—the C. rubella has been derived ; and though the varieties we now profusion of blossoms and the distinctness of colour rendering figure fall short of these latter in gorgeousness of inflorescence, it exceedingly effective—is the nearest approach to a crimson they bring us not only novelty of colouring, but the same pro- Clematis yet obtained. C. marmorata has the habit of C. Vi. fuseness of bloom as we have just referred to. We cannot do ticella venosa, and flowers both profusely and successively. better than quote from the new Clematis work, by Messrs. The leaves are pinnatisect, the basal pinnæ being ternate. Moore and Jackman, the descriptions given of these new intro- The flower-buds are drooping, and the flowers nearly the size ductions :—*C. Viticella rubra grandiflora is one of the most of those of venosa, composed of four remarkably broad sepals, beautiful of the Viticella forms, and gained a first-class certifi. of a light mauve colour, marked with a three-ribbed bar, the cate when exhibited at South Kensington in July, 1868. The whole surface of the flowers being speckled with white, in such leaves are pinnately-divided, or sometimes biternate, the leaf- a manner as to give it a veiny or marbled appearance. It is lets being sometimes entire and ovate, sometimes divided into a very distinct and desirable variety.'”—(Ibid., V., p. 265.)

a

NEW ZEALAND DRACÆNAS.–No. 1. A FEW words upon these plants may not be considered out parts of Ireland, where it seemed to thrive admirably, and as of place at this season, for the species here referred to must I have seen the plants for several successive seasons there can be reckoned amongst

be no doubt of their the most ornamen

hardiness in that tal of all greenhouse

country; in Engfine-foliaged plants

land, however, I only at this time, and

remember having the illustrations will

seen it out-doors in give a very good idea

one instance, and of them.

that in NorthampThe culture of

tonshire, where it these Dracænas is

had proved itself of the easiest kind,

quite hardy, aland anyone may un

though it did not dertake their ma

look quite so much nagement with

at home as was the certainty of success;

case with those bethis, in conjunction

fore mentioned. Unwith their graceful

der these circum. and tropical appear

stances I would ance, cannot but ren

strongly urge the der them favourites

planting of this spewith every lover of

cies in sheltered situplants. The soil I

ations out of doors, have found suit them

where its distinct well is a mixture of

foliage will always two parts peat to one

render it a pleasant of loam, and about

object to look upon. half a part of sharp

D. LINEATA.This sand. The drainage

is even a more noble must be good, and

plant and, as the ilthe water supply li

lustration on the opberal ; nothing more

posite page shows, is necessary

its foliage is much protection from frost

broader, whilst the and rough winds.

base of the leaves is I have preferred

deep reddish brown. retaining the name

As a greenhouse orunder which these

nament it is unplants are best

equalled, although I known ; various bo

have never seen it tanical authorities,

planted in the open however, have split

air; indeed, I beup the old genus

lieve it would not Dracæna into many

stand so well as the genera, and the

preceding. plants we have now

D. VEITCHII.- This under consideration

is probably only & have been made &

variety of D. lineata. separate family un

It resembles it very der the name of Dra

Dracea indivisa.

much, but differs cænopsis.

principally in having D. INDIVISA.— As

the midrib in adthe figure aptly illustrates, this is a very handsome species. As dition to the base of the leaves stained red. It is an exa greenhouse plant it has few equals when large, and when tremely ornamental plant, sufficiently distinct to be grown young it forms an elegant object either as a window plant or with the others even in a small collection.-EXPERTO CREDE. as an ornament to the drawing-room or hall. I may go further still, and advise my readers to plant it in sheltered situations in the open air. Do not fancy this is mere theory, for al- MILDNESS OF THE SEASON.—The following were from the though I cannot say I have proved it in the open ground garden, unprotected, at Linton Park, near Maidstone, on the myself, I have nevertheless seen it so employed in various 23rd of December :-Garrya elliptica, Sweet Bay in berry,

save