ago that we were privileged to see the former (Camelia), from 
which upwards of 4500 flower-buds had been removed, lest the 
tree should be too much weakened, while more than that num- 
ber were left to expand, affording a succession of blossoms, from 
six to eight inches each in diameter, so close set upon the 
branches that they often touched each other, yet allowing ample 
view of the handsome reticulated foliage (characteristic of the 
species), and continuing some weeks in an almost equal state of 
perfection, to the gratification of imumerable visitors, who have 
been generously permitted to inspect it. The next day word 
was brought to us from Syon, that the noble Mangosteen plant 
there (of which we already possessed drawings of the flowering 
specimens) was bearing ripe and ripening fruit. Our drawing 
represents both states. It is well known that His Grace the late 
Duke of Northumberland encouraged the cultivation of tropical 
fruits, built stoves especially for ‘hem, and was eminently success- 
ful—witness the ripening of the Chocolate, the Nutmeg, Cloves, 
Litchis, Vanilla, and other rarities. Happily for Horticulture, 
the present Duke has trodden in his noble brother's steps, and 
under the skilful management of Mr. Ivison it is, that the J/an- 
gosteen has borne flowers* and ripened its fruit. In appearance, 
the fruit is gwite perfect; but it remains yet to be ascertained 
what its flavour may prove.t ‘The tree is a native of the Mo- 
lucca Islands, but its cultivation has extended to the Malay 
Archipelago; beyond which, it would appear, that all attempts 
to grow the tree well, and mature the fruit, have been hitherto 
unsuccessful; and it is an acknowledged fact that only those 
persons who have visited the Eastern Archipelago have been 
able to indulge in this highly prized fruit. In Bengal, espe- 
cially in the noble Botanic Garden there, we naturally look for 
the products of the adjacent islands: but Dr. Roxburgh, in his 
‘Flora Indica,’ says, “From the earliest accounts we have of 
this charming tree and its delicious fruit, we learn that all the 
innumerable attempts hitherto made to familiarize it to other 
countries (than the Malay Peninsula, and islands to the east- 
ward of the Bay of Bengal) have uniformly proved unsuccessful. 
For these thirty-five years past I have laboured in vain to make 
it grow and be fruitful on the continent of India. The plant has 
* We should not do justice to the Leigh Park Gardens, and the skill and 
abilities of Mr. Scott, the intelligent gardener of Sir George Staunton, did we 
not say that he has succeeded in flowering the Mangosteen at the same time 
(during the past winter), but the fruit failed. ‘ 
+ While this sheet was in the press we were honoured by being invited to 
partake of a ripened fruit by His Grace the Duke of Northumberland. The 
fruit had xo seed. The edible part is the pulp of the cells, and these cells sepa- 
rate easily from each other, like the cells or lobes of an orange. ‘The flavour was 
delicious, and compared by some who partook of it to that between a first-rate 
peach and of a good grape. ’ 
