492 MISCELLANY. 



BOTANY. 



Fuchsia fulgens. — At the flower-show in the Egyptian-hall on Thursday, there 

 was exhibited, for the first time in this country, a specimen in full blow of that 

 magnificent plant Fuchsia fulgens. It was introduced from Mexico by Messrs. 

 Lee, of Hammersmith, and for its culture they obtained the large silver medal. 

 The leaves of the plant are of a bright green, tinged with a beautiful deep purple 

 towards the centre. The flowers are red, and the inner fold is of a deep scarlet. 

 They measure three inches and a half in length, and hang down in luxuriant 

 branches of from thirty to sixty blooms, varying according to the strength of the 

 shoot.— Oct. 11. 



The Tea Tree. — I read in your paper lately an account of the Tea-tree being 

 cultivated in the gardens of Mr. Lerry, at Angers. I recollected at the time to 

 have seen, as I believed, a hedge of evergreen plants in the nursery gardens of 

 Mr. Page, near Southampton. I have since been to see them, and there are now 

 plants that are not less than six feet high, growing with all the hardiness of a 

 common Bay-tree ; the leaves healthy, and in some seasons producing ripened 

 seed. I am induced to believe that the shores of Devonshire, or the Isles of Wight, 

 Jersey, and Guernsey, would grow this plant for profitable use. — Mark Lane 

 Express. 



Enormous Turnip. — On the 12th instant a white Turnip was taken from the 

 field of Mr. James Crompton, Meltham Grange, near Howden, the diameter of 

 which was five feet one inch ; the circumference of the bottom, 3 feet one inch ; 

 stood, when growing, 14 inches ; when the top and root were taken off weighed 

 15 lb. ; was sown on the 22nd of June last. — Oct. 11. 



A Fact for Naturalists. — In the neighbourhood of Bierley there is a tree 

 which was, a few years ago, split with lightning. An iron chain which was 

 fastened round it in order to restore it to its pristine form is now covered with 

 bark, and the tree is in good condition. — Wolverhampton Chronicle. 



Victoria regalis. — Dr. Weissenborn, of Weimar, states, in the November 

 number of the Magazine of Natural History, that the plant named by Mr. 

 Schomburgh Victoria regina, is unquestionably Furyale Amazonica, Poppig. It 

 is therefore probable that Mr. Schomburgh will be under the necessity of with- 

 drawing his name. — Ed. 



GEOLOGY. 



Remarkable Caverns, Geology, &c, in Brazil.— Dr. Lund, the Danish 

 traveller, now in Brazil, has discovered, in the mountain chains between the Rio 

 Francisco and the Rio das Velhas, a great number of caverns ; among which 

 Sappa nova de Marquine, in the Sierra de Marquine, is one of the most remark- 

 able. The mountain consists of clay-slate, flinty-slate, and limestone of the 



