BOTANY. 319 



tains, we must not lose sight of their no less constant differences. 

 In the northern regions, in general, we find the number of species 

 comparatively small. Thus, in the region near Lake Superior, which 

 has a northern character, we find vegetation characterized by great 

 vigor ; the whole country covered with trees and shrubs, and lichens 

 and mosses in great profusion, but the species few, and the number 

 of handsome flowering shrubs small. In the Alps, on the other hand, 

 vegetation is characterized by great beauty and variety, and the num- 

 ber of brilliantly flowering plants is very great. The plants, however, 

 are dwarfish, and vegetation comparatively scanty, and lichens and 

 mosses much less abundant. There is, then, not an identity, but an 

 analogy only, and an imperfect though very interesting one, between 

 Alpine and Arctic vegetation. Agassiz on Lake Superior, p. 89. 



NEW VARIETY OF THE SUGAR-CANE. 



A NEW variety of the sugar-cane, called the " crystalline," has 

 within a comparatively recent period been introduced into Louisiana, 

 and is said to be superior to any of the varieties now grown in this 

 country. It is a very large cane, with a tough rind, and remarkably 

 large and firm eyes, indicating a capacity to withstand frosts. It is 

 said, also, to be very juicy and extremely productive. Specimens 

 grown at the parish of Plaquemines, near New Orleans, flourish well, 

 and seem adapted to the climate. If what is said of the crystalline 

 cane be true, its introduction into the sugar districts cannot fail to be 

 of great benefit to the planters, as the complaints concerning the de- 

 generacy of the cane have within the last few years become of very 

 frequent, general, and alarming occurrence. The principal causes, 

 however, of this state of things, says the New Orleans Picayune, are 

 imperfect seed and the mode of planting. The kinds of cane culti- 

 vated in Louisiana are five, the Bourbon, the red-ribbon, the green- 

 ribbon, the Creole, and the crystalline. The two former are most ex- 

 tensively planted. The crystalline cane, which appears to be the 

 same as the Salangore, or chalk-cane, originated in the South Seas, 

 was imported into the East Indies by the English government, and 

 thence distributed over Jamaica and Cuba. In both the East and 

 West Indies it has given unbounded satisfaction, and will doubtless 

 do the same in this country, where it has not heretofore been tried. 



NEW VARIETY OF COTTON. 



A NEW kind of cotton has been introduced into Tennessee called the 

 " golden boll." It is a native of Central America. The following 

 description is given of it: The average height of the stalks is 

 about 4 feet, planted about 4 feet apart. The distinguishing proper- 

 ties which characterize it are its prolific production, the long, silky 

 texture of its fibre, and the astonishingly large size and great number 

 of bolls. Several of the plants had from 120 to 130 bolls, of which 

 from 60 to 80 were fully matured ; 10 of which being frequently 

 tested by scales weighed 42 ounces of seed-cotton. The bolls that did 



