ART. VII. Floricultural and Botanical Notices of New and beautiful Plants, figured in foreign periodicals; with Descriptions of those recently introduced to, or originated in, American gardens.

In our notices of new plants in our past volumes, we have endeavoured to make our pages a record of nearly everything which has been introduced into foreign collections; fully describing those worthy of general cultivation, and briefly those of mere botanical interest. To enable us to do this, we have incurred much expense in procuring the various periodical works devoted to the subject, and] it has been our object to make this article interesting to all: such, we believe, it has been. But the researches of collectors have been carried so far, that of the many plants which have been recently introduced, only a few of those figured, in comparison with the whole, possess that beauty which commends them to the attention of the amateur, and as our room is somewhat restricted by an increasing number of contributors, we shall hereafter, in order to enable us to keep up with their publication, only describe those plants which appear really worthy of introduction into gardens.

FUCHSIA MACRA'NTHA Hooker Large flowered Fuchsia,

(Onagraceæ.)

A green-house plant; growing four feet high; with rosy crimson flowers; appearing all summer a native of Peru; increased by cuttings; grown in loam and leaf mould; Pax Mag. Bot. xiii. D. 97.

This is one of the most splendid fuchsias that has yet been introduced. Though quite distinct from others, "it most resembles F. fúlgens, being dwarf, and similar in habit; but it differs from that species in its very dark green foliage, and the gay color, and uneven length of its flower tubes. In this latter respect, it comes near to F. corymbiflòra, but the form of inflorescence in the two species is quite different, and completely so the color of the flowers;" F. macrántha being of a rich glowing rosy crimson. The flowers when well grown are full six inches long, and the whole contour of the plant is one of great beauty. It will probably prove a valuable species for hybridization. It is as easily cultivated as the common

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varieties, and blossoms abundantly. It was introduced from Peru, and is well worthy a place in every collection of plants. (Pax. Mag. June.)

2. AZALEA OBTU'SA Lindl. Blunt-leaved Azalea, (Ericàceæ.)

A green-house shrub ; growing three feet high; with red flowers; appearing in spring : a native of China: increased by cuttings; grown in rough sandy peat. Bot. Reg. 1846 t. 35.

This is one of the azaleas introduced by Mr. Fortune from China, and in addition to its other merits, it has that of being "sweet scented like a Sweet briar." It is described, "as the gayest of all the Chinese azaleas in cultivation. It is a little bush, with very blunt leaves, both smaller and narrower in proportion than we find upon the species already in our gardens, and also smaller flowers of the most glowing red." It is a free flowerer, and of dwarf habit. The species requires the same treatment as A. Danielsiàna, viz. to be potted in rough sandy peat, and the wood well ripened. It is increased by cuttings in the usual way. (Bot. Reg. July.)

3. BEGO NIA AʼLBO COCCINIA Hooker White and Scarlet Begonia, (Begoniacea.)

A stove plant; growing two feet high; with white and scarlet flowers: appearing in summer: a native of India, increased by cuttings; grown in peat and leaf mould. Bot. Reg. 1846 t. 39.

The tribe of begonias is but little cultivated in American collections; yet there are some species of great beauty, and as they flourish well in our climate under green-house treatment, it is to be regretted that they are not oftener seen. The present subject is one of great splendor; having the outside of the calyx vivid scarlet, and the inside of that organ and the petals of a snowy whiteness, thus presenting a great contrast. For bouquets, it would be invaluable. The treatment of this family is simple: merely keeping them in a warm and dry place in winter, starting them into growth in little heat in February, and keeping them in the green-house in summer, where they will form the finest objects among achimenes, gloxinias, &c. This species should be immediately introduced. (Bot. Reg. July.)

4. CALYSTE GIA PUBESCENS Lindl. Downy Bindweed, (Con

volvulaceæ,)

A half hardy climbing plant; growing six feet high; with pink flowers: appearing in July and August: a native of China; increased by the root; grown in any good soil. Bot. Reg. 1846 t. 42.

"This is the first plant of its order that has been found, pro

ducing double flowers: they are about as large as those of a double anemone, but the petals are arranged with the irregularity of the rose; they are of a pale delicate pink, and remain expanded some days." It was found by Mr. Fortune, in Shanghai, and was sent home as a double convolvulus. It is a fine addition to our climbing plants, and as it grows readily in any good soil, it would undoubtedly form a splendid object turned out into the open border in summer, in the same way as we have recommended for Ipomæà Léarii. It flowers freely. (Bot. Reg. Aug.)

5. GARDENIA FLORIDA VAR. FORTUNIA NA Mr. Fortune's Gar

denia, (Cinchonàceæ.)

A green-house plant; growing two feet high: with white flowers; appearing in summer; a native of China; increased by cuttings; grown in leaf mould and peat. Bot. Reg. 1846 p. 43.

One of the most magnificent things which has recently been introduced, ranking "on a level with the double white camellia, which it equals in the beauty of the flowers and leaves, and infinitely excels it in its delicious odor." It is thus spoken of in the Journal of the Hort. Soc. :-" The common single and double varieties of this plant are known to any one. That which is now noticed differs merely in the extraordinary size of the flowers, which are nearly four inches in diameter, and in having fine broad leaves, sometimes as much as six inches long. The flowers are pure white, changing to light buff as they go off, and not unlike a very large double camellia. Their calyx has the long broad lobes of the original species, instead of the narrow lobes, at least twice as short as the tube of the corolla of G. ràdicans, by which that species is technically known." Such a description should induce every cultivator to possess what has so long been wanted—a white camellia with a delicious perfume. It comes from the North of China, where it was found by Mr. Fortune, and although nothing is said of its treatment, it is probably as hardy as the camellia. It is a noble acquisition. (Bot. Reg. Aug.)

6. ÆSCHYNANTHUS BOSCHIA NUS Par. Vanden Bosch's Eschynanthus. (Gesnerdceæ.)

A stove plant; growing two feet high; with scarlet flowers; appearing in spring: a native of Java: increased by cuttings: grown in moss, peat and leaf mould. Pax Mag. Bot. xiil. p. 175.

All the Eschynanthuses are handsome plants, but the present species is peculiarly so from its abundant blooming, pretty

trailing habit and brilliant flowers. "It will grow freely, rather too much so, as will most of its family if planted in ordinary soil, and kept in the stove, or even in the green-house; but to flower it well it requires to be kept dry in the winter, and brought into a higher temperature: after the blosoms have begun to develop themselves, they will flourish well in the green-house. It is a fine species and worthy of introduction. (Pax Mag. Sept.)

7. LILIUM SANGUINEUM Lindl. Blood Red Lily (Liliàceæ.)

A hardy bulbous plant growing eighteen inches high with dark red flowers: appearing in June: a native of Japan: increased by offsets: grown in loam and leaf mould or peat. Bot. Reg. 1846, p. 50.

This lily is said to be one of the discoveries of Siebold, who introduced the superb lancifoliums, in his Japan expedition. In general appearance, it comes near to our L. philadelphicum, having an upright and quite dwarf habit, attaining only the height of twelve or eighteen inches, and terminated with "its large solitary orange red flower.". It has proved perfectly hardy in the garden of the Horticultural Society-and no doubt it will prove as hardy with us as the L. japonicum or exímium. It is readily propagated by offsets, thriving well in light loam and peat with a little well decomposed manure. Mr. Groom, who presented the bulbs to the Horticultural Society, has succeeded in raising several hybrids between this and other species, some of which are very handsome. We shall have several of them in flower the coming spring, when we shall endeavor to give a full account of them. (Bot. Reg. Sept.)

MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE.

ART. I. Retrospective Criticism.

MODESTY.-Mr. Editor: I have been informed, either directly or by some indirect way, through the Horticulturist, that one object of starting that work in opposition to Hovey's Magazine was, that the latter was too much given to extolling the Editor's own wares. I have just spent a few leisure moments in looking over the first five or six numbers of Downing's new magazine, and find (omitting reviews) seventeen instances where he has referred to or named "our work on Fruits and Fruit Trees," and twenty

instances where he has referred to all other works; this does not include nearly as many more instances where correspondents have referred to "your book on fruits," and where he has selected notices of "Mr. Downing's work on fruits." Nor do I mean to include several references he makes to our book on Landscape Gardening and Cottage Residences.”

Another Specimen. It is well known that Professor Lindley, fifteen years ago, controverted with great ability the theory of Mr. Knight, that varieties would run out by old age. The same position was taken by Mr. Prince, Mr. Floy, and others. Last of all, Mr. Downing also assumed the same ground in his work on fruits. Now he says that he is much gratified to see Dr. Lindley, "the highest authority in Europe," come out lately and "endorse our views"!! See No. 4, p. 181.-Respectfully yours, Veto. Rochester, N. Y. Dec. 1846.-[Comment would be superfluous.-Ed.]

VAN ZANDT'S SUPERB PEACH.-I can't waste time on any anonymous remarks like the one signed P. B. in your December number, and I think you do wrong to admit such without signature, as it deprives your readers of a full knowledge of their intent and disinterestedness. To solve the ques. tion whether the nurseryman who wrote that article actually possesses the "Van Zandt's Superb Peach," which, I perceive, is inserted in his Catalogue, and if others have it, I now offer a premium of $10 for a single genuine fruit, to be exhibited to the Long Island Horticultural Society, the ensuing summer, by any one of the nurserymen who have inserted it in their Catalogues, the fruit to be grown by the Exhibitor. You will find that I am perfectly au fait in this matter, as will hereafter be proven. If they are inadvertently propagating a wrong variety, it is for the Interest of all it should be corrected. I did not intend my remarks to apply to private gardens.—Wm. R. Prince, Prince's Nurseries, Flushing, Dec. 24, 1846.

ART. II. Massachusetts Horticultural Society.

Saturday, Dec. 5th, 1846.—An adjourned meeting of the Society was held to-day, the President in the chair.

The Executive Committee reported that the sum of $1,350 should be appropriated for premiums for the year 1847, and that the income from the Appleton, Lowell and Lyman funds constitute a part of the appropriation.

A Committee of three was appointed to make the annual settlement with the Mt. Auburn Cemetery.

Adjourned three weeks, to December 23d.

Exhibited.-FRUIT: From the President of the Society, Chaumontel, Beurré d Aremberg and Columbia, pears: also three Apples received from some unknown source-one the Cathead and the other, Fall Harvey. From Wm. Stearns, Lawrence, Winter Nelis, Bishop's Thumb, Glout Morceau, Wilkinson, St. Germain, Marsh (native) and Bleeker's Meadow, some of them very fine. From S. Downer, Passe Colmar pears. From Josiah