BOTANICAL INFORMATION. 121 



Mr. H. Simpson, Mr. J. Lake, and several other gentlemen whose 

 practical knowledge places them in the front rank among agriculturists. 

 We also observed several scientific and professional gentlemen, includ- 

 ing Doctors Nicholson, Ledeatt, and O'Kearney, who took a lively in- 

 terest in the matter, all of whom appeared highly pleased with the 

 working of the machine, and expressed their approval of its action. 



" Various fibrous plants, such as the Aloe, the Snake-Grass, the 

 Plantain, and the blades of the Pine-apple plant, were subjected to the 

 cleaning process, and in all cases the experiments were successful. 

 After passing through the machine, the fibre has only to be washed to 

 free it entirely from the pulp; and when dried it is fit for exportation. 

 The fibres of the plant are not broken nor injured in any way, but come 

 out in their entire extent, which, if not cut for the sake of convenience 

 of handling, may be had the whole length of the plant. 



"We learn from a recent number of the c Society of Arts Journal* 

 that one of the machines was exhibited in the Society's rooms, in Lon- 

 don, with the most gratifying results, in the presence of the leading 

 men of London who take an interest in such matters. It is said, on 



e 



private authority, that a gentleman largely engaged in manufacturin 

 operations offered to take any quantity of fibre such as was exhibited 

 at £33 per ton. 



" A gentleman from Demerara, who was present yesterday at Green 

 Castle, spoke in terms of high admiration of the invention, and ex- 

 pressed his confidence in the immense value it would prove to that co- 

 lony. It is the belief of every one conversant with the importance of 

 Mr. Burke's invention that his fortune is made, a circumstance that 

 will give a high degree of pleasure to his numerous friends in this part 

 of the world ; he is highly deserving, and is greatly esteemed by all 

 who know him." 



Scientific Exploring Expeditions of the British Government. 

 Besides the researches that are now being carried on by Mr. Gregory's 

 Expedition in the Interior of North Australia, and the survey of the 

 Pejee and adjacent Islands of the South Seas, by Captain Denham, in 

 H.M.S. Herald, each of which has a zealous botanist attached to it, we 

 are proud to be able to announce three others which are about to be 

 immediately undertaken, and which cannot fail to promote our know- 



VOL. IX. 



