35 
the evening, than they pour in in myriads from all quarters, 
and flying directly towards the light, speedily extinguish it 
under piles of the dying and the dead. Such as escape with 
the loss of their wings, drop down, and crawl on the table, or 
into the dishes and wine-Glasses, leaving it at the option of 
the party concerned either to swallow them or to fish them 
out. To guard against this source of annoyance, the candles 
are usually covered with glass shades, but thus prevented from 
destroying themselves, these little tormentors fly about the 
room at random, and you have to guard your mouth, eyes, 
and bosom, from their intrusion. "Their variety is infinite, 
but the most offensive of the whole is a small green Cimez, 
which attaches itself more particularly to your clothes, dif- 
fusing all round the genuine odour of the bug. "The only 
one which forbears to annoy you at this period is the Moskito, 
but it is only to attack you at leisure after you have retired to 
bed. 
* The Botanic Garden is situated on the right bank of the 
Hoogly, some miles below Calcutta, and occupies an area of 
five miles in circuit. It was originally established about 30 
years ago, and by the unremitted attention of Dr. Roxburgh, 
who superintended it till within these few years, its catalogue 
of plants amounts already to four thousand. After his return 
to Europe it was for some time neglected, but is now placed 
under the charge of another experienced botanist (Dr. Wal- 
lich), whose zeal for the science promises to rival that of his 
predecessor. 'The assemblage of plants from the eastern 
boundary of Bengal, Silhet, the Garrow and Nepaul Moun- 
tains, is peculiarly interesting. The Cape plants do not 
thrive here, nor is it surprising, as no soils can be more oppo- 
site in their qualities than the rich alluvial loam of Bengal 
and the hard gravelly clay of Southern Africa. = 
“The garden is peculiarly rich in Palms, the constant 
intercourse between Bengal and the Indian Archipelago 
having been the means of introducing a great variety of 
this elegant family of plants. Among others, a fine grove 
of a rare species, the Sagus Rumphii, presses itself on the 
attention. It has been supposed by many persons that the 
D2 
