162 MISCELLANY. 



fully arranged in elliptical lines, which inosculate with each other, that is, are 

 joined by cross branches. These fibres appear to possess a good deal of strength, 

 and might, I should think, if they are long enough, be put to some useful purpose. 

 Whole stalks at a time present this net-like appearance. — Beverley R. Morris, 

 Ckarmouth, Dorsetshire, Dec. 17, 1837. 



Common Butcher-broom. — In the neighbourhood of Godalming this beautiful 

 erergreen, with its splendid scarlet berries, grows in the greatest profusion, on 

 the slopes of the hills amongst the underwood, and it is only when in the shade 

 that the berries come to the greatest perfection, for when exposed the plants 

 scarcely bear fruit. In some of the specimens I gathered, almost every leaf was 

 studded with its brilliant ruby berry. Is it not a little singular that the majority 

 of our native plants which perfect their seed in winter, should bear scarlet 

 berries ? — J. D. Salmon, Godalming, Surrey, Dec. 23, 1837, in a letter to Neville 

 Wood, Esq. 



Kohl Rabi. — A very fine specimen of this vegetable, weighing nearly 5 lb., 

 was exhibited at the Black-Swan Inn, on Saturday last, by Mr. Bluck, of 

 Dinedor. A medical gentleman present stated that he had tested its qualities, 

 and found it to contain a very large quantity of saccharine matter, and had no 

 doubt of its nutritious properties, as food for cattle, Sheep, &c. Mr. Bluck ob- 

 served that it was a very hardy plant, heavier than the Swede Turnip, and 

 seldom or never^touched by the fly, and that, no doubt, if generally cultivated, 

 would be found very profitable to the farmer. — Hereford Times. 



New Wood for lining Entomological Cases. — I inclose you a small piece 

 of wood which I procured from a friend who has a piece about two feet by one 

 foot, and an inch thick. A gentleman of this town has all his entomological cases 

 lined with this wood from Brazil. The ease with which the most slender pin 

 comes out and enters is beautiful, and the substance would, if imported in suffi- 

 cient quantity, do away with cork, wax, and all other lining. — T. B. Hall, 

 Woodside, Liverpool, Feb. 7, 1838. 



The Fuchsia. — Situated as we are on the eastern part of the island, and 

 exposed to piercing cold winds, it may not be amiss to state the very great 

 perfection the Fuchsia has been brought to in Dr.JMuRRAy's garden at Belle- Vue; 

 many of them (standards) measure between four and five feet in height, and the 

 principal stems of some are five inches in circumference. — Patrick Hawkridge, 

 Scarborough, Aug. 7, 1837. 



Tobacco. — It appears, from the following account, that this " delicious weed " 

 was deemed worthy of being praised so early as the time of Elizabeth, about 

 the middle of whose reign it was introduced by Sir F. Drake, who, " being 

 instructed by the Indians, used it against crudities of the stomach, and certes 

 since that time it is grown so frequent in use, and of such price, that many, nay 



