syrup mixed at the house, wherewith to show you an easy and excellent way of feeding bees.

MR. B.-What a wonderful power this smoke has over bees! I begin to think I shall have but little difficulty in mastering the art of bee-keeping. Let me see you administer the syrup, or tell me how to do it.

MR. P.-Turn up the hive once more, and hold it so that the combs may be in a slanting position. Then pour the liquid first along one comb, then another till all have been gone over. As most of the cells are now empty, the syrup will run into them before it reaches the crown of the hive; and if it goes on some of the bees, no harm will be done, for other bees will speedily lick it off. You now see how easily food can be given to bees. There are many other ways of feeding them, any one of which may be practised where only a few hives are kept. Tin troughs about 12 inches long and less than half an inch deep are handy appliances for giving small quantities of syrup to bees in spring. A little more should be given to hives this month than what was named for February. Hives by the end of this month will have more bees and brood, and therefore require more food.

MR. B.-I can now see that hives standing singly on three posts are more comeatable and easily examined than those placed in a bee-house.

MR. P.-No competent practical bee-master prefers a beehouse to separate stands for hives. All hives should be placed so as to be easily examined; and the longer we practise beekeeping, the more clearly we see the importance of frequently examining our hives internally. For instance, if the bees in some stocks be found at the commencement of March to be reduced to two seams-i.e., two lots on each side of a comb in each hive-the safer way is to make one good hive out of two weak ones by uniting them. If hives have three seams of bees in March, and are otherwise healthy, they will live; but when reduced to two seams of bees many of them will not do so. Let your aim be to have strong healthy hives, examine them thoroughly as often as you have time, and thus you will speedily become a master of the art of bee-keeping, knowing intelligently what both you and your bees are about, and free from the fear of committing mistakes through ignorance. Study the natural history of bees while you are aiming at their profitable management, and I think I need not tell you that whatever is worth doing should be done well.

As bees use a great deal of water during the breeding season, it is well to keep a supply of it near the apiary; and many writers recommend salt to be mixed with water given to the bees. If the entrances to hives have been contracted during the winter, they should be enlarged at the end of the month. Let it be remembered that the perfection of management from March till August consists in keeping hives in a state of health and progress. If the weather be unpropitious, bees should be fed; for if kept on the point of starvation, they instinctively cast out their young and refuse to sit eggs, their combs become empty of brood, and many hives thus suffer from a kind of relapse and collapse. All this should be prevented by feeding when necessary. A few pounds of food in a hive are an encouragement to them to fill their combs with brood.-A. PETTIGREW.

OUR LETTER BOX.

CONDITION POWDERS (W. W.).-We are sorry we can give you no receipt of the kind. We do not believe in them. There is plenty of natural food for men and animals, and as a rule the simpler it is the better. This will at once confine us to Nature's menu. The treatment of a patient is to remove something that offends, or to supply something that is lacking. They are the conditions of cure, and are seldom necessary where the living is plain and natural. We have kept horses, poultry, dogs, and other stock for fifty years, and have used nothing of the sort.

DORKINGS SICKLY (E. E. S.).-You have evidently disease among your birds. It may be caused by the changeable and trying weather. It cannot be caused by the ground oats if they are properly ground. If they be so, they will then mix with water or any other liquid as smoothly as cream or custard, although none of the hull or skin of the corn is removed, or bran taken away. Not only is it impossible for this to injure fowls, but they do better on it than anything else. It is the universal food in Sussex, whence we derive all our best London poultry. Few millers have stones fitted for this process, and when the operation is improperly performed the mixture presents the appearance of having been mixed with chaff. Fowls dislike this, and will starve upon it. DUCK-MANAGEMENT (Quack).-Ducks want very little water, and will go to it when it is necessary. They need not live by the stream. You may have some Ducks as well as eggs. The former are useful in winter, when eggs are out of the question. You will do well to keep a drake. We advise you to keep Rouens. You must buy some cheap ones. Such, with defects known only to the "pundits," are generally to be met with at a moderate price.

FORETELLING THE SEX OF EGGS (X. B.).-Many hundreds of years ago this knowledge was pretended to. It has remained the same to this day. It has always been said the pointed egg produced a cock, and the round one a pullet. We do not believe in it. Trials made by ourselves and friends, many of them medical men, have all been failures.

FENCE OF POULTRY-YARD (Ivy).-Brahmas and Cochins can be safely kept in by a wall 3 feet high; Houdans and Polands must have 2 feet higher; Creve Coeurs, Hamburghs, Spanish, Game, and Bantams, by the great wall of China.

GAME HEN LAME (F. G. D.).-We can give little hope of any cure. The only favourable symptom is that the limb is not cold. It is, however, in our opinion paralysis. We have a hen Pheasant that has been two years in the

same condition. Year after year we have looked for improvement, and found none. We now intend to kill her.

EXCESS OF SPANISH COCK'S FACE (W. I. B.).-Your bird has a cauliflower face-common defect among Spanish, and chiefly belonging to the best specimens. There is only one treatment, and that is not without its disadvantages. It is to put two small straps of sticking or adhesive plaister on the skin, compelling enough of the eye to keep open to enable the bird to see. There is no cure for it, but relief is sometimes afforded by frequent use of a strong solution of alum in water. Vinegar may be used for the same purpose. BEES EJECTING DEAD PUPA, &c. (F. R. L.).—It is very usual at this time of the year. If you send the notes we will impartially judge them. TRANSFERRING BEES (Ivy).-If the combs in your bar-frame hive are straight, you may easily transfer them to another hive by cutting them clean out and unbroken from the old bars, and fitting them neatly into the new A few drops of melted wax will cement them to the new bars. The operation should be performed at noon some fine day, or by candlelight in a warm room. In this way you may succeed without the loss of a bee. CANARIES IN A GAS-HEATED ROOM (4 Young Beginner).-It will neither affect their health nor their plumage if the products of combustion are conveyed into a chimney and not allowed to vitiate the atmosphere of the room. It matters not what the young ones are like in their nest feathers. The time to decide their future is during moulting. After that it matters not if they get as black as sweeps. It is a simple thing to wash them as often as required for exhibition.-W. A. BLAKSTON.

ones.

FEEDING WAX-BILLS, BUDJERIGARS, AND WEAVER BIRDS (St. Edmunds). Spice birds and Wax-bills thrive best on millet seed; Weaver birds and Budjerigars eat canary seed. Hemp seed should not be given to them, but a little green food occasionally is good for them.

Sussex, or to Messrs. J. & H. Robinson, Bridge Mills, Lewisham.
CRUSHED OATS (Julia).-Apply to Mr. Agate, Slaugham Mills, Crawley,

25th.-White frost early; a fine though not a bright day. 26th.-Wet morning, and showery all day; showers frequent rather than heavy; fine at night. 27th.-Very fine all the fore part of the day, but] rather windy; sharp shower about 5 P.M.; fine night. 28th.-Foggy early, but fine before 10 A.M., and a very fine day. March 1st.-Rain early, but fair by 9 A.M.; rather sharp shower between 3 and 4 P.M., then fine.

2nd.-Foggy early, and rather so at intervals all day; scarce any wind. Brd.-A very pleasant spring day, at times beautifully bright.

The mean temperature about 3° above that of last week, except in the case of sun maximum, which is 11° above; of course caused by the greater altitude of the sun, in addition to the much brighter days that we have had; though the air is still far from being so clear as usual at this time of the year. -G. J. SYMONS.

COVENT GARDEN MARKET.-MARCH 4.

OUR quotations of last week are barely maintained in consequence of the slack demand now prevailing. Hothouse Grapes of good quality are in fair request, but Pines of English growth are lower in price, in consequence of the large arrivals from St. Michaels.

FRUIT.

s. d. s. d.

s. d. s. d. Apples............ sieve 1 0 to 2 6 Oranges............ 100 4 0to12 0 Chestnuts........ bushel 10 0 20 0 Pears, kitchen...... doz. 20 8 0 Filberts.............. lb. 10 1 6 dessert.......... doz. 80 10 0 Cobs.............. lb. 1 0 16 Pine Apples.......... lb. 4 0 60 Grapes, hothouse......lb. 20 70 Quinces............ doz. 0 0 00 Lemons............100 4 0 12 0 Walnuts.......... bushel 10 0 16 0 Melons.............. each 0 0 00 ditto..........100 2 0 26

VEGETABLES.

d. s. d.

s. d. s. d Artichokes.......... doz. 8 Oto60 Mushrooms........ pottle 1 Oto2 0 Asparagus..........100 4 0 8 0 Mustard & Cress..punnet 02 06 French ......... 18 0 25 0 Onions .......... bushel 4 0 60 Beans, Kidney....100 20 0 0 pickling........ quart 0 6 Beet, Red.... doz 1 0 80 Parsley per doz. bunches 4 0 Broccoli.......... bundle 09 1 6 Parsnips............ doz. 09 Cabbage............ doz. 10 1 6 Peas .............. quart 0 0 Capsicums........100 00 0 0 Potatoes.......... bushel 3 6 Carrots............ bunch 06 0 0 Cauliflower.......... doz. 8 0 60 Celery............ bundle 16 20 Coleworts.. doz. bunches 2 6

Cucumbers ........ each 1 0

pickling ........ doz. 0 0 Endive.............. doz. 20 Fennel............ bunch 0 3 Garlic................ lb. 0 6 Herbs..............bunch 0 3 Horseradish...... bundle 8 0 Leeks..............bunch 0 8 Lettuce.............. doz. 1 Q

0 0

6 0

1 0

06

46

0 0

1 6

0 0

20

00

Kidney.......... do. 0 0 Round..... do. 0 0 0 6 Radishes.. doz. bunches I 0 1 0 40 Rhubarb.......... bundle 0 9 2 6 Salsafy.......... bundle 1 6 00 Savoys.............. doz. 1 0 0 0 Scorzonera...... bundle 1 0 0 0 Sea-kale.......... basket 1 0 26 0 0 Shallots.............. lb. 0 8 0 0 0 0 Spinach.......... bushel 20 8 0 4 0 Tomatoes.......... doz. 0 0 0 0 00 Turnips............bunch 0 8 0 4 40 Vegetable Marrows...... 0 0 0

creted and faced with Portland cement. The Vines should be planted in the narrow interior border, the roots passing through arches to the outside.

In preparing the border, if the soil will produce good vegetables it will answer perfectly well for the Vines, and two points only will require attention-the first is to see that the superfluous moisture arising from heavy rains or other causes drains away sufficiently fast to avoid stagnation; the second, to have the soil of a uniform depth of not much less than 2 feet, and if, as is usually the case, the natural soil is not deep enough, apply the necessary addition to raise the border somewhat above the surrounding level, giving it a gentle slope from back to front.-EDWARD LUCKHURST.

NOTES UPON FERNS.-No. 7.

GLEICHENIA.

THE various members of this most beautiful genus have always been held in the highest esteem by all growers of plants, indeed they must rank as the aristocracy of the order. As a genus Gleichenia is characterised by a creeping rhizome, fronds rigid, opaque, and several times dichotomously branched, the pinnæ being linear and pinnatifid; the ultimate divisions are small, orbicular, and often concave, or large, linear, comb-like, and plane, whilst the veins are either simply or pinnately forked. There are two very distinct-looking sets of these plants, and some pteridologists have established these as distinct genera; but they have so many points in common, and all resemble each other so much in general appearance, that I must perforce follow my old master, and regard them only as distinct groups of one genus. The first group, Eugleichenia, may be recognised by their small ultimate divisions, which are ovate, orbicular, and often concave or cucullate; sori punctiform, naked, often set in a hollow cavity, consisting of but few spore cases, the numbers usually varying from two to four. The second group, Mertensia, is recognised by its ultimate divisions being larger and plane, and the sori consisting of from eight to twelve spore cases. Again, species of this group have a more erect habit of growth than the first, which mostly assume the character of climbers. This, without going too deeply into distinctions, may be considered the principal characteristics of the genus Gleichenia.

The character and general appearance of these Ferns are so beautiful and distinct that they cannot fail to charm the eye of every beholder, and it is really no wonder that they are held in such high estimation by all lovers of beautiful plants; yet it is marvellous that, knowing the beauty and high commercial value of those we have, I say it is marvellous that collectors should allow so many fine species as are known to science to still remain desiderata in our plant houses at home.

Gleichenias, as before remarked, have long creeping rhizomes, a circumstance which will at once reconcile the cultivator to the fact that breadth and not depth is of the utmost importance to the development of a fine specimen. Again, essential as thorough drainage is to Ferns of all kinds, to these it is one of the chief points in culture, for no Gleichenia will remain in good health for even a short period with bad drainage and sour soil. Ordinary pots for young specimens will be found perfectly suitable; but as the specimens become large, shallow tubs will be found best, inasmuch as they furnish the greatest amount of surface-room for the wiry rhizomes to creep over. I have found these plants thrive admirably in good rough fibrous peat and silver sand, with just a dash of light sandy loam added to it; the drainage must be perfect, and then the plants will enjoy a liberal supply of water to the roots, but I never could believe they liked it upon their fronds from the syringe.

Gleichinias, like many other Ferns, are very liable to the attacks of scale and thrips. They must be carefully watched to prevent the progress of the first-named pest, because if they are allowed to increase they are difficult to eradicate, and render the plants very unsightly; whilst, should the latter make their appearance, it will be a tolerably sure indication that the plants are placed in a higher temperature than is congenial; and the remedy, therefore, will be removal to a lower temperature and slight fumigations with tobacco for two or three weeks, with an interval of about three days between each operation.

EUGLEICHENIA GROUP.

G. MICROPHYLLA.-A very fine, free-growing, temperate-house species. The branches and rachis are furnished with short reddish-brown hairs; branches pinnate; pinnæ pinnatifid and

smooth; segments sub-rotund, the margins being nearly plane or but slightly recurved, the upper surface deep green, paler below. It is a plant of scandent habit, fronds extending to an indefinite length and much forked. Native of Port Jackson and various parts of Tasmania.

G. MICROPHYLLA GLAUCA.-This very fine form differs from the normal state considerably in cultivation, being more robust in habit, and the pinnæ stouter in texture; the upper surface is deep green, below it is beautifully white. It is a superb cool-house plant, at present rare in collections. Native of New Zealand.

G. SPELUNCE.-There would appear to be several forms of this fine species; the differences, however, have not been sufficiently defined to lead to the separation of such forms as distinct species. The differences I have noticed have been the greater size of pinnæ and segments, some being closely set, whilst others are long and lax, and another form is to be found wonderfully ramified. The general appearance of the segments is somewhat ovate, and pale green above, glaucous and saccate below. It must take rank as one of the handsomest of its tribe. A cool-house species. Native about Port Jackson and various parts of Tasmania.

G. SEMIVESTITA.-Although having something the appearance of G. microphylla in a dried state, it is, nevertheless, sufficiently distinct under cultivation to be easily recognised from that species. It moreover enjoys a slightly warmer spot than the kinds previously enumerated. The fronds are dichotomously forked; the branches are clothed with numerous reddish-brown hairs, and, in addition, the rachis is furnished with a few stellate hairs; the segments orbicular-ovate, nearly plane, or but slightly pouched, and bright dark green above. A very handsome plant. Native of Malacca and New Caledonia.

G. ALPINA. There is little doubt but in many parts of the three kingdoms this species would prove to be quite hardy, and form a charming addition to the out-door fernery. It seldom exceeds a foot in height. Fronds dichotomous; the pinnæ about an inch long; segments orbicular, densely packed together, and bright green above; the young shoots profusely clothed with ferruginous hairs. It would appear to be abundant upon the high mountains of Tasmania, but at present is very rare in cultivation.

G. DICARPA.-A very elegant species, distinguished by its small orbicular segments with a broad recurved margin and deep pouch; the rachis is furnished with some pubescence, but the branches are quite glabrous. It is bright green in colour, and does not like any but the coolest treatment. Native of Tasmania.

G. POLYPODIOIDES.-In this we have a distinct and beautiful species, one which I have never seen but once in cultivation in English collections. The young fronds and the branches are more or less profusely clothed with dun-coloured hairs; segments ovate, deep green above, slightly glaucous below. This, like G. semivestita, should be provided with a snug corner. Native of the mountains of South Africa. G. RUPESTRIS.-This is a fine bold-growing cool-house plant, somewhat rare, and only to be met with in the most choice collections. The stems are reddish-brown, and the pinnæ very thick and coriaceous in texture; they are obtusely rounded, with thickened margins, deep green above, but glaucous beneath. As a simile it may be said to be a dense-growing coriaceous form of G. speluncæ, although thoroughly distinct from it. Native of New South Wales.

G. HECISTOPHYLLA.-With this species I shall conclude my remarks upon the first section of this genus. It would seem to be closely related to some of the others, and the differences in herbarium specimens are often very slight; when the plants are cultivated, however, they are easily discerned. The fronds are much branched; the ultimate segments small and saccate, bright green and glabrous; the branches and rachis profusely clothed with ferruginous hairs. An elegant cool-house species from New Zealand.-EXPERTO CREDE.

THE CATHERINE AND OTHER OLD PEARS. THE inquiry about the Catherine Pear recalls to my mind & cry of the street vendors of fruit some fifty years ago, for I perfectly remember "Fine Catherine Pears, six a-penny, six a-penny, Pears!" being called out in a large commercial town in 1822, on the same day as the details of the suicide of Lord Castlereagh were hawked about. I regret my memory does not enable me to give a description of the fruit, but believe it

was thought superior to the Crawford that figured in the streets a week or so later, but was not such a favourite as the Green Chisel, there sold under the name of Green Jack, while Jargonelle was the best of all. A later Pear had a fair share of popularity under the name of "Bergamy," an excusable corruption of Bergamot which in reality it was. My acquaintance with street trading being very limited I cannot say when the Catherine Pear ceased to be hawked about under that name, but it evidently had been popular, as had also the Portugal (or Portingal) Pear now, I believe, seldom heard of; but it is interesting to hear these old names which must have been familiar enough to all dwellers in towns. Perhaps those whose experience extends farther back than mine will tell us whether calling by their proper names fruits and other articles for sale in the streets was the general practice in former years, if so it was preferable to that at present adopted. Catherine Pears were in good repute with little boys and others before George IV. became king, but of the merits of the variety I have but an imperfect remembrance, and as the name has ceased to be noticed in catalogues I have sometimes been led to believe that it was one known or used only by the traders. Another question arises, Were the seasons at that time more favourable to the ripening of these fruits than at present day? This subject, however, is one bearing on other fruits more than the Pear, and deserves inquiry.-J. R.

PEACH-FORCING.

I CAN quite understand that my old friend Mr. Gilbert should feel a little concerned about me and my Peach trees, when he was led to believe that the trees were shut-up seven or eight weeks before they flowered. The fact is, I was fully late in sending my short article on Peach-forcing, which was written three weeks before it was published.

Mr. Gilbert says that when he begins to force he likes "to force in the proper sense of the word." We should probably differ as to what constitutes forcing in the proper sense of the word. It sometimes means doing your work in the most artificial and expensive manner, when the same object might be attained in a more natural and economical way. Mr. Gilbert clearly proves that he does his Peach-forcing in the proper sense of the word-i.es, he forces at night and in the duller part of winter with strong fire heat. I use no more fire heat than I consider absolutely necessary to prevent the trees receiving a check during nights and dull days, and do not attempt to force at all at such times; but I do my forcing principally by solar heat in the light of day. He " keeps steady at between 55° and 60°," while I allow a range of temperature from 45° to 75°, and even as high as 90° when the trees get into good healthy growth. I had thought the days of keeping a fixed temperature were passed.

"Easy work this Peach-forcing," readers will say, if two people can do so radically different, and both of them succeed. Well, I am generally successful, and Mr. Gilbert says his plan has served him well for thirty years; but, oh! Gilbert, for shame! think of the price of coals and the tons you have wasted in

that time!

But it is not a question of economy of fuel alone, the appearance, flavour, and general quality of the fruit have to be considered. The more forcing the less colour and flavour. My first house with Royal George Peach and Violette Hâtive Nectarine ripens from the middle to the end of May, and that with very little forcing "in the proper sense of the word;" consequently the colour and flavour are good. I do not know when Mr. Gilbert's fruit ripen, but I do not think it possible to get good flavour much earlier than this with the above-named varieties. Of course you can get Peaches to look at, but mine are expected to be fit to eat. Flavour is of more importance here than earliness. I have not yet had much experience with Early Beatrice, which I believe to be the best early Peach.

Mr. Gilbert kindly says he will give my plan (I cannot claim it as mine) of natural fertilisation an impartial trial; but I must tell him that unless he will adopt low night temperature I will neither be responsible for fertilisation or stoning. I believe the temperature has more to do with it than it gets

credit for.

does not prove his plan to be the best. I cannot understand what is the use of eighteen out of the twenty Peaches on such a branch as that sent to the Editors. Similar branches on my trees have only two fruits, some only one, and I must think they swell faster than they would if there were twenty. I have not said anything about the difficulty of keeping down insects with a high night temperature. I think most people know something about that.-WM. TAYLOR.

THE HISTORY OF THE ROSE.-No. 1. By far the largest portion of the following notes were written by the late Dr. Randle Wilbraham Falconer, and communicated by him to the Botanical Society of Edinburgh in 1838. To those notes others have been added, and we publish them together without distinction.

That the Rose was known to the Israelites, and is mentioned in the Old Testament, there can be little doubt. It was probably known to them by the pre-eminent title chabalzeleth, for, although that may have been the general name for a flower, yet, like the Persian gul, it may have been applied to the Rose as the flower-the superlative of the floral world. Rosa spinosissima and another species is a native of Palestine; but as we have no description of the flower in the Old Testament, whether these or some other flower is intended remains quite uncertain, though some flowers mentioned in its pages are translated into "Rose" in our authorised version.

When we descend to later ages, when descriptions of the flower were given, we cannot but be struck by the almost unvarying name of the flower. In Greek it is Rhodon; in German, Rose; in Dutch, Roos; in Danish, Rose; in Swedish, Ros; in French, Rose; in Italian, Rosa; in Spanish, Rosal; in Portuguese, Roseira; in Russian, Rosa; in Polish, Roza; in Bohemian, Ruze; in Sclavonic, Ruxiza; in Finnish, Ruusu; in Welch, Rhos; in Anglo-Saxon, Rose; and in Gaelic, Ros. Everyone of these seems to be derived from a root-word signifying red or ruddy.

The Rose is mentioned by Homer and by Anacreon. By the former in the hymn to Ceres, by the latter in many of his odes, through which we learn that it was a flower remarkable for the beauty of its petals; that it grew amidst thorns; that it had a divine fragrance; was of the colour of the human complexion; that it was the most beautiful of all flowers; "the queen of flowers; " the "flower of love." Theophrastus and Pliny state that Roses may be distinguished one from another by the roughness, smoothness, colour, smell, and the greater or smaller number of their flower-leaves or petals. The latter writer, speaking of the Rose generally, thus describes it:-"The Rose grows upon a thorny rather than on an herbaceous plant; it grows also upon a plant similar to a Bramble. There it has an agreeable smell, but not perceptible at any great distance. The whole flower sprouts at first enclosed in a calyx full of seeds, which in a short time swells, and becomes pointed at the summit like green alabastri.* By degrees the flower grows, opens, and expands itself, containing in the middle of its calyx the erect yellow stamina." This author then proceeds to enumerate eleven kinds of Roses, which, he says, were well known to the Romans. They are the following:

Four other kinds of Roses are mentioned by Pliny in different parts of his "Natural History," but of these he gives no description; they do not appear to have been in such high repute as the above, though somewhat esteemed for their medicinal properties. These kinds are called R. alba, pallida, spinosa, and quinquefolia.

Of the first two kinds of the eleven more particularly described by Pliny, the Campanian was the earliest in flower, and the Prænestine the first which ceased blowing. The Milesian was of a very bright colour, and consisted of not more than twelve petals; it was the latest which came into blossom. The Trachinian Rose was less red than the Milesian. The colour of the petals of the Alabandic Rose inclined to white; it was less esteemed than any of the preceding. The

*The " alabastrus 29 was a perfume-box which the Rose-bud resembled in

Rosa spineola had a large number of very small petals, and | was the least esteemed of all. The Rosa centifolia, or Hundred-leaved Rose, had many small petals. It grew in Campania in Italy, and in Greece near Philipi; to the latter place, however, Pliny says it was not indigenous. It grew also in the vicinity of Mons Pangæus, and the neighbouring inhabitants, taking it from this place, cultivated it for profit. The Rose called græca by the Romans, but by the Greeks Lychnis, had only five petals; it was of the size of a Violet, and grew only in moist situations; it was scentless. The petals of the Rosa græcula, which were very broad, were rolled or convoluted into a ball; they did not expand, except when forced by the hand, and had the appearance of always growing. The Rosa moscheuton had petals shaped like an Olive, and grew upon a stem like that of the Mallow. ("Funditur è caule malvaceo.") The Rosa coroneola was an autumnal Rose, and, when compared with other kinds of Roses, had a flower of a middle size. All of the above-mentioned Roses, according to Pliny, were destitute of fragrance, with the exception of the R. coroneola. The Prænestine and Campanian Roses obtained their names from their respective localities. The Trachinian Rose appears to have been a native of Thessaly, and grew near the city of Heraclea, called also Trachinia. The Milesian and Alabandic Roses were probably foreign kinds, the former deriving its appellation from Miletus, a city in the Island of Crete, where it was first found; the latter from Alabanda, a city of Caria, in Asia Minor.

Mentzelius, in his "Lexicon Plantarum," regards the Prærestine, Trachinian, and Milesian as varieties of what he calls the Rosa rubra saccharina, which he considers the same as the R. græcula of Pliny. Mentzelius and Clusius both agree in calling the Milesian Rose the Rose de Provence. Ferrarius, in his work entitled "Flora, seu de Florum Cultura," states that the Rose called by him "Rosa alba multiplex " has, by different authors, been regarded as either the Rosa spineola, Campana, or Alabandica of Pliny. He says, also, that some authors consider the Rosa damascena multiplex to be same as the Rosa coroneola, while others, again, think it is the Rosa spineola mentioned by Pliny.

The flower enumerated among the Roses by Pliny, and which was called by the Romans R. Græca, but by the Greeks Lychnis, is the flower mentioned by Dioscorides under the name Lychnis stephanomatike, or Lychnis coronaria. It is generally considered to have been a species of our present genus Lychnis, commonly known as the Rose Campion. Dioscorides says the "Lychnis stephanomatike is a flower resembling the white Violet, but of a purple colour." It was woven into crowns, hence called stephanomatike, or coronaria.

There is one other Rose mentioned by Pliny, but not classed by him with the kinds most celebrated among the Romans, namely the Rosa sylvestris. This Rose, called also Cynorhodon by Pliny, and by Scribonius Largus R. canina, grew upon a Briar, according to the former author, and had a leaf resembling the impress of a man's foot. Theophrastus, who also mentions this Rose, says it bore fruit of a red colour. Dioscorides agrees with this account, and says the fruit resembles the nucleus of an Olive. Pliny, however, states that this plant bears a black berry, which, Bodæus a Stapel remarks, no other author has mentioned, and considers that the passage in Pliny refers to another plant subsequently mentioned by that author. Among the thorns of the stem of the Rosa sylvestris grew a round sponge-like substance resembling a Chestnut; the presence of this excrescence upon this kind of Rose is also mentioned by Marcellus, an old writer on materia medica. Pliny says it grew particularly upon the Cynorhodon, and that it contained a worm or grub which produced the insects called cantharides. The same insects are mentioned by Aristotle to issue from a worm found upon the kynakanthe, or "Dog-briar" (?) In the spongy substance alluded to we recognise the moss-like prickly excrescences which are found upon all Rose trees, but especially upon the Rosa canina, and which are the habitations of the insect called Cynips rosa.

Commentators on Pliny regard the R. sylvestris of this author to be the R. Eglanteria of Linnæus, now the R. rubiginosa, which, according to Fries, Linnæus for a long time referred to the species R. canina. The Cynorhodon of Theophrastus, the Cynosbaton and oxyacantha of Dioscorides, the cynacantha of Aristotle, and the R. sylvestris, cynorhodon, cynosbaton, cynapanxim, and neurospaston of Pliny have been generally considered as identical. There still appear, however, to have been some doubts upon this point which are not

yet satisfactorily explained. It would be uselessly occupying space to enter at length upon the consideration of this question. The R. sylvestris appears to have obtained its synonym R. canina or cynarhodon from a supposition that its root was a beneficial remedy for bites of mad dogs; an instance of its curative powers is cited by Pliny.

The Roses mentioned by Theophrastus are few in number when compared with the list given by Pliny; four only are enumerated, viz., 1, Rhodon pentaphylla; 2, R. dodekaphylla ; 3, R. eikosaphylla; 4, R. ekatontaphylla.

The first of these is considered by Stackhouse to have been the same as the Rosa canina of Linnæus; the second has not been referred to any species with which we are at present acquainted; the third is thought to resemble the R. cinnamomea; and of the fourth, or Hundred-leaved Rose, Theophrastus says, "The inner petals are exceedingly small, for the blossoming is such that some are inward and some outward. The greater number of such," he adds, "are about Philippi." Theophrastus gives no detailed account of the Roses he has named; he merely says that they are not large, and have not a pleasant smell. He enumerates the Rose tree among perennial and woody shrubs, also among those plants which have their fruit placed under their flowers, "a peculiarity," he remarks, "which, on account of its great size, is most plainly to be seen in this plant." Some classical writers, who have endeavoured to show that the odes of Anacreon which eulogise the Rose are frauds, have gone so far as to say that Theophrastus never saw a Rose, and support this opinion from the very cursory manner in which he notices the plant. It is impossible, however, to coincide with them.

ROYAL BOUQUETS AND DECORATIONS AT WINDSOR.-It may interest some of our readers to know that, in connection with the reception of the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh at Windsor on Saturday last, Messrs. Veitch & Sons, of Chelsea, had the honour of offering to Her Majesty, the Princess of Wales, and the Duchess of Edinburgh, splendid bouquets composed exclusively of the rarest Orchids, Roses, and Lily of the Valley. The Queen and the Princess of Wales were pleased to receive theirs personally from Mr. Harry J. Veitch, Her Majesty retaining also that for the Duchess of Edinburgh, for presentation on her arrival at the Castle. The floral decorations for the banquet, given on Monday in honour of the newly-married couple, were very extensive. Five large groups of Palms, Musas, and other fine-foliaged plants, interspersed with choice flowers, were very effectively arranged on the grand staircase by Mr. Jones, the head gardener at Frogmore whilst in the reception rooms the fireplaces were, as usual, most tastefully filled by Mr. C. Turner, of the Royal Nurseries, Slough, who also supplied all the plants and flowers required for the banquet table.

* Illustrationes Theophrasti, &c. Auctore J. Stackhouse. Oxon., 1711.