^12 Retrospective Criticism* 



Dr. Mattliey, likewise, mentions one of these worms being found in the 

 body of a certain grasshopper (-4'cnida viridissima) which was no less than 

 2^ ft. in length. Wherefore I think it probable that the afore-mentioned 

 worm was voided by some insect. — C. Lamb. March 3. 



Art. VII. Retrospective Criticism, 



Lists of Plants. — Sir, Excuse me for hinting that your botanical readers 

 would be more highly gratified if the botanical not€s (Notulae Botanicae), 

 in your Magazine of Natural History, were more extensive, and the lists of 

 rarer plants, sent you from time to time were more selects Of what are 

 called rarer plants noticed in the vicinity of Bath, not more than about a 

 dozen are anywhere uncommon ; while, properly speaking, there is hardly 

 one rare plant enumerated. They are, with the above exceptions, com- 

 mon in all places where flowers grow, except on the sea-shore or the 

 rocks of Cairngorum. B'ew of them would be deemed rare at Johnny 

 Groat's House, or the dismal regions of ultima Thule. But the contribution 

 of such lists as contain the more uncommon and rare species with their 

 localities, would be of immense advantage to the botanist, as he might 

 either visit the places where his favourites are found, or put in requisition 

 the services of his friends and connections for procuring specimens of them. 

 Your botanical correspondents might also send queries to be answered by 

 other correspondents. Thus, "A. B. wishes to be informed, &c., where the 

 following plants are to be found growing naturally : Pinguicula lusitanica, 

 Fragaria v^sca, &c. &c." The reply might be as concise as the query : 

 thus, " Pinguicula lusitanica, Potton Marshes j Fragaria vdsca. Box Hill, 

 Surrey." 



It would also be desirable to have a description of the soil and habitation 

 in which such plants are chiefly found. This would assist the botanist in 

 finding them, and enable the florist to cultivate them successfully in his 

 flower-beds and open borders. Some plants generally grow on a clay soil, 

 some on chalk or limestone beds, some on sand, others on loam ; some 

 thrive best in the shade, others in exposed situations. Instead of the unin- 

 teresting notices of white harebells, violets, &c., which are well known 

 even to children, the physiological botanist would both amuse and edify us 

 by describing the characteristics, habitats, and conformation of those plants 

 which have any thing peculiar in these respects. Facts such as the follow- 

 ing might, perhaps, be explained and illustrated: — Why the common 

 primrose (Primula vulgaris) when cultivated becomes double and assumes a 

 lilac colour, while the oxlip and cowslip (P, elatior and P. veris) retain 

 their original form and colour under the same circumstances, though indi- 

 viduals of the same family as the primrose. Why some flowers, such as the 

 night stock, and some plants of the natural order Orchldeae, are odoriferous 

 only towards evening or at night. Whether different species of herbaceous 

 plants can be budded or grafted on the same stem, as different species of 

 roses can be produced on the same tree. These and many other things of 

 a like nature would be invaluable to your readers, and put in exercise the 

 talents and ingenuity of your correspondents. — S. Palmer. Chigwell^ Essex, 

 Sept. 1828. 



The Dog not the only brute Animal that Dreams. — " Dormit auditu acu- 

 tiore, somniat.'"* (Lin.) In your Magazine, Vol. 1. p. 377. there is an 

 extract from the Medical Gazette, in which it is stated that " the dog is the 



/ " He sleeps with sharper hearing, he dreams.^* 



