liferous manner. (fig. 65.) For the sake of our inexperienced readers, we shall give Doctor Hooker's description: "Joints (fig. 65. a to b) from 4 in. to 6 in. in length, oblong, remarkably compressed; varying in breadth, from 1 in. to 3 in.; the margins slightly thickened, crenato-lobate, everywhere glabrous. There is a distinct mid-rib (fig. 66. c) running through the centre of these, and bundles of vessels forming lateral thickened nerves or ribs, leading off green, the ribs and margin often reddish. Flowers (fig. 66. e) numerous upon the joints, solitary in each crenature, small, and not unlike those of the Rhipsalis tribe. The base is occupied by the germen (f), which is nearly spherical, pale green, and smooth. Calyx (g) of three small, oval, concave, brownish, scariose leaflets, but gradually becoming larger and more petaloid, and passing almost insensibly into the five pale yellowish-green spreading petals (); tube none. Stamens (i) numerous, inserted within the united bases of the calyx and corolla. Filaments (k) rather longer than the corolla, and white. Anthers (1) didymous, yellowish white. Style (m) filiform, as long as the stamens; stigmas (n) four, or generally five, linear, recurved, pubescent, white. Dioscorea (Pedacius Dioscorides, a Greek physician) cinnamomifòlia, the Cinnamon-leaved Dioscorea, or Yam, is a native of the woods about Rio de Janeiro, also sent to this country by Mr. Harrison. It deserves the attention of the young naturalist, not only as being the potato of tropical climates, but as having the male and female flowers on different plants, and consequently belonging to the class Dice'cia (dis, twice, oikos, a house) of Linnæus, and to the order of this class Hexándria, as having six stamens. Sprengel, and other moderns, however, who propose not to take the circumstance of the sexes being in different plants, into consideration in forming the classes, but to be guided entirely by the stamens and pistils, refer Dioscorea to Hexandria Monogýnia. This genus and one or two others form a natural order of themselves, the type of which being Dioscorea, the order, in conformity to a fundamental rule, alluded to (p. 56.), is called Dioscorea. Only the male plant (fig. 67.) is yet known. The following is its description by Dr. Hooker." Root a roundish, ill-shapen tuber, as large as the human head. (a) twining, branched, striated, pubescentihirsute, hairs brownish: whole plant destitute of prickles; leaves alternate, petiolate (b), oblongo-acuminate, quite entire, of a texture between coriaceous and fleshy, shining, hav-i ing three distinct nerves or ribs (c), which are prominent on the under side, where the leaf is of a paler green, and where, near the base, are some dark dots of glands: the margin itself, when held between the eye and the light, is seen to have a thin pellucid margin. Petioles (d) from three fourths of an inch to an inch long, hairy like the stem. Male racemes (e) apparently always solitary, axillary, hairy, often compound at the base: pedicels (f) branched, each with a lanceolate bractea (g). Perianth (h) cup-shaped, deeply six-partite, the segments (i) spreading, oblong, yellow-green. Stamens (k) six, opposite to the divisions of the perianth." The Botanical Magazine, for June, contains Cycas circinàlis (circus, a circle; ring-like joints of the trunk). A palm well known in the Molucca Islands, where the fruit is eaten, and sago said, but erroneously it is believed, to be taken from the trunk. The leaves of this palm are used by the Thomæan Catholics of Malabar, as those of the date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) are by the Catholics of Europe, on Palm Sundays, and by the Jews on the feasts of the Passover. In a botanical point of view, the Cycas circinàlis is interesting, as forming the connecting link between Monocotylédones and Dicotylédones. "Linnæus ranked the Cycas among the palms, but observed, 'Foliatio circinalis more Filicum peragitur' [It puts forth a circular foliation after the manner of ferns]; Jussieu and Ventenat, along with the ferns; Jacquin, in an artificial system, considered it to belong to the class Dice'cia, and order Polyándria; Smith looked upon it, along with Zàmia, as constituting an intermediate order between the Pálma and the Filices. In Persoon's Synopsis, the natural order Cycàdea is established; and the place of it suggested, corresponding with the ideas just mentioned of Sir James Smith. Our learned countryman, Mr. Brown, in his inestimable Pródromus Flora Nova Hollandia, has placed the order the last of the Monocotylédones, immediately before the Dicotylédones; calling the embryo, indeed, pseudo-dicotyledonous. The true structure of this embryo is now completely ascertained by the labours of Du Petit Thouars, and the late admirable Richard, and this latter has determined it to have the closest affinity with the dicotyledonous plants; and amongst them, with the Coníferæ, near which he consequently places the order. Here, however, it must be acknowledged, that the natural habit and aspect of the vegetation are sacrificed to minute differences in the fructification. In the structure of the stem, in the mode of growth, in the situation and appearance of the leaves, the Cycas has the closest affinity with the palms, and is in these particulars as far removed as can be from the pines." Francíscea (Francis, Emperor of Germany) Hopeàna, (Mrs. Thomas Hope of Deepdene) (fig. 68.); Scrophularíneæ. "A most interesting and desirable plant; for not only are the flowers of a rich purple blue colour, but they are excessively fragrant." Enothèra Lindley, introduced by Mr. David Douglas, from the north-west coast of America, and the specific name given, at his request, in honour of John Lindley, Esq. F.R.S. L.S. &c., recently appainted botanical professor in the London University. 68 The Botanical Register, for May, contains Agàve geminiflóra (figured in Gard. Mag., vol. ii. p. 96.), Twin-flowered Agàve. A South American liliaceous plant, with rush-looking leaves, and a flower stem which has grown as high as 24 ft. at Lainate, near Milan, and 14 ft. high in Mr. Knight's nursery in the King's Road." In the gardens both of this country and of the Continent, it was, before flowering, confounded with Buonapártea júncea, a totally different plant, resembling this in nothing but the nar rowness of the leaves, which are otherwise so different, that no person who possessed the slightest acquaintance with the natural affinities of plants could have fallen into the mistake. But at that time botany was too often mere empiricism, a stigma from which it has not yet recovered in this country. The botanist of artificial arrangements could do nothing without his stamens and styles; but, for the student of nature, no better evidence upon this plant than the leaves offered would have been desired, to determine whether or not it was a Buonapártea." Agàve belongs to the natural order Amaryllidece, Buonapártea to Bromeliacea.-Polygala oppositifòlia var. major (fig. 69.), Amaryllis intermèdia, Lupinus lépidus (one of the smallest of perennial lupines) and Genísta procumbens are also very pretty flowering plants, and Crataegus cordata (fig. 70.) is a handsome hardy American tree, valued for its dark glossy leaves, and brilliant scarlet fruit, which will sometimes hang on the tree during the entire winter. The Botanical Register, for June, contains Calochórtus (kalos, handsome, chortos, a kind of grass; beautiful flowers borne by grassy herbage) macrocarpus (makros long, karpos, fruit; the fruit of other species is short and roundish) (fig. 71.); 6 and 1, and Liliàceæ. A fine plant, with purple flowers, resembling in its general appearance Tigridia pavònia. - Pyrus grandifòlia, a new species from North America.O'rchis papilionacea, from the south of Europe. -Tillandsia acaùlis; 6 and 1, and Bromeliacea; introduced by Mrs. Arnold Harrison. - Gesnèria rutila, imported from Brazil by the Comte de Vandes. tains Cypripedium insígne (fig. 72.) A beautiful orchideous bulb, from Nepal, of which Messrs. Loddiges observe, "There is something fascinating about this plant, as well in form as in the arrangement of its colours; delightful to every eye, but doubly so if we view it as formed by the kindness of God." - Potentilla spléndens, an almost hardy perennial, also from Nepal, and to which the specific name of spléndens is given, on account of its fine silvery leaves. Sempervivum tabulæfórme (fig. 73.) is a curious succulent plant, and Digitàlis canariénsis and Azalea calendulacea are highly ornamental. The handsomest plant in this periodical for May is Isopògon anemonifolius. (fig. 74.) A pretty green nerved, except a few of the largest, which are 5-nerved, striated with numerous lines of a pale green on the upper side, and slightly glaucous underneath. Flowers white, sweet-scented Spikes axillary (a), and terminal (b), a little nodding, aggregate, 10 to 15-flowered. Peduncles (c) smooth, purple. Bractes (d) smooth, ovate, concave, scarcely acute, two embracing the calyx, and one clasping it at the base. Calyx (e) 5-parted, msmooth: lacínia ovate, concave, with thin white membranaceous margins. Corolla (f) funnel form; tube short, inflated: limb 5-cleft, the lacíniæ about half the length of the tube, linear, acute, revolute at the points, densely bearded with white hairs. Stamens (g) five, inserted in the mouth of the tube, and alternate with the lacíniæ: filaments (h) very short, included. Anthers (i) linear, exserted. Germen (k) smooth, slightly conical. Style (1) smooth, tapering upwards, included in the tube. Stigma (m) slightly capitate." The Flora Australásica, for June, contains Acàcia myrtifolia; Leguminosa Mimòseæ. - Styphèlia viridiffòra; Epacrídeæ. - Bossie a ensàta; Leg. Pap. Lòteæ Genísteæ. (fig. 76.) A flat-branched plant, leafless when in flower, but leafy when young.-Pimelèa drupàcea. All these are new and handsome plants. The British Flower-Garden, for May, contains four showy hardy plants, and among them Rhododendron arboreum, which grows 20 ft. high, is covered with heads of brilliant scarlet blossoms, and must be one of the most splendid of vegetable productions when in full flower. The Number for June contains figures of some very handsome plants, the newest of which is Cinerària aurantiaca. (fig. 77.) Very beautiful in regard to colours; the flowers in corymbs, at first of a bright orange brown, changing to a dark orange, afterwards becoming golden yellow, orange-coloured underneath, and very sweet-scented. Maund's Botanic Garden, for May, contains Liatris (meaning unknown) scariòsa (scarious, in allusion to the calyx), a fine purple-flowering, autumnal plant; and Carthamus (quortom, to paint, Arab.; red paint prepared from stamens) tinctòrius (tinctorius, dying, from tinctura, a dye; in allusion to the colouring principles of its flowers). The florets are gathered when they begin to expand, and dried on a kiln, for future use in dying. Pink saucers and vegetable rouge are prepared from these flowers, which may be purchased from druggists under the name of safflower, in the following manner: "Wash safflower till no stain is given to the water, and then dry it. Of this take half an ounce; infuse it a short time in a pint of water, in which a dram of the subcarbonate of soda has been previously dissolved; strain off the liquid, to which add an ounce of finely levigated French chalk. The alkali will hold the colouring matter of the safflower in solution, and the chalk will remain colourless; but, by adding a little tartaric or citric acid, the alkali will be neutralised, and the red colouring matter, which is not soluble in simple water, being set at liberty, will fall to the bottom, combined with the chalk. Thus a beautiful pigment is produced, which may be dried and further levigated for spreading on saucers; or, ground with a drop or two of olive oil, will form the Spanish or vegetable rouge. Liquid pink dye is a similar preparation, with a portion of spirit of wine." This periodical, for June, contains Saponària ocymoides, Calceolaria pinnata, Verónica urticifòlia, Diánthus japonicus; all very handsome plants. The Scientific Journals. As these periodicals contain many valuable articles on natural history, we intend noticing them regularly as they appear, for the sake of referring to the articles. Of Brande's Quarterly Journal a new series was commenced above a year ago, with the avowed intention of rendering it more suitable for general readers; and, in this respect, it is certainly greatly improved. No. V., for April, contains the natural history of the Earwig, by our correspondent, Mr. Main, who has shown that the weapon-like appendages at the end of the abdomen are not so much intended for defence or offence, as for folding and unfolding the wings of the insect; and that the vulgar notion of this creature entering the human ear is not founded on fact: anatomists, he says, deny it; and he adds, with the true feeling of a naturalist, "it is a pity that this is not generally known, as it might defend the constitutionally timid from unnecessary alarm, and give a more favourable idea of that part of the animal creation, which forms a most necessary link in the chain of being." Achatinélla (dim. of achates, an agate; resemblance), a new group of terrestrial shells, is described by another of |