28 
species even to the limits of forest, at present unknown in 
England, and employed in the hills, along with the Deodar, 
for building purposes. 
I have been particular in quoting the native names of 
these valuable plants, in order to enable persons resident in 
England, the more readily to ask their correspondents for 
them. 
Roscoea alpina. A curious and very pretty little plant, 
with bright blue flowers, found at the height of 9000 feet 
and more, where, like the snow-drop in European countries 
in early spring, it pushes up immediately after the rains, in 
places where the snow has just melted. This most interesting 
species would doubtless be hardy in England; it is a most 
curious deviation in its habits from the usual tenderness of 
Scitaminez. 
Of Iris several species are found in the Himalayas, some 
of which are very pretty. 
DERIVATION OF THE WORD MYRTLE. 
At Gilan in Persia there is a spring surrounded by 
myrtle bushes, and held in great veneration. The sacred 
character of the myrtle (márt as it is called in Persia, from 
which was borrowed the Greek pupros) I believe to have 
originated in the East. Its connexion with the worship of 
Venus is well known, and it is a curious relic of ancient 
observances, that, at the present day, wherever the myrtle 
bush is found among the Kurdish mountains (and it is very 
rare) a sort of mystic reverence is attached to the spot, which 
the people are altogether unable to explain.— Major Rawlin- 
son's March from Zohab to Khuzistan, in Journal of Geog. 
Soc. ix. 43. 
Recherches sur l'analyse et la Composition chimiques de la Betterave à 
sucre, par Eugene Péligot; et sur l'organization anatomique de cette 
racine, par J. Decaisne. Paris, 1839. 8vo. 
The cultivation of Beet root has not much importance in 
this country, where colonial sugar, for political reasons, 
enjoys a monopoly of consumption; but to those who in 
other countries occupy themselves with the manufacture of 
Beet root sugar, this pamphlet will be read with great inte- 
rest, It is full of curious and valuable research. The 
best variety for cultivation appears on the whole to be the 
** White Silesian.” The principal obstacle to the manufac- 
mM Y 
