Bibliographical Notices, 341 



The power of resisting the .attacks of insects which most probably 

 proceeds from the nature of the sap, is of immense importance in the 

 economic value of the tree. I think the wood of P. Cembra possesses 

 the same quality. A remark has been made to me respecting the 

 softness of this latter species as affecting its durability. Neither 

 hardness nor softness of texture in timber are positive proofs either 

 of durability or of the contrary. Some oaks, as the Ilex, and some 

 American species are both hard and heavy, yet are valueless as to 

 duration. It may be doubtful whether the heart wood of P. Cembra 

 would bear much exposure to damp, but with the outer layers which 

 contain the turpentine it is of very great durability. I suspect the 

 same qualities belong to the Cedar of Lebanon, while the testimony 

 is positive that it was used for the roof of the Temple, and there is 

 no doubt that in a dry climate, protected from the vicissitudes of 

 weather, it might last during periods, for which its texture appa- 

 rently makes it quite unfit when exposed to a humid atmosphere. 



It is to be hoped that means will be taken by those individuals as 

 well as bodies who have correspondents at Odessa, to procure the 

 introduction of seed of these species, more especially of the A. Nord- 

 manni, which appears to be the most valuable of them. 



It is impossible to close this subject when the variety of species 

 are called into question, without remarking on the neglect with 

 which this important subject is still treated by the Government. With 

 the most ample means, of every kind, with gardens and parks, of 

 which the extent and capabilities are the admiration of every one, 

 we do not possess a common public botanical garden or arboretum for 

 study or for reference. This circumstance we cannot but consider as 

 disreputable and disgraceful to the Government and to the country, 

 immense sums being annually expended in the department to which 

 it properly belongs without a thought being cast on the advancement 

 of science. 



Primitive Flora Sarnica, or an Outline of the Flora of the Channel 

 Islands of Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, and Serk, 8$c. By Charles 

 C. Babington, M.A., F.L.S., F.G.S., &c. &c. Longmans, and 

 Bailliere, 1839. 



This little book is far superior in value to many a work of higher 

 pretensions, and will not fail to interest the general student of Euro- 

 pean botany, as well as to find a place in the pocket of every bota- 

 nical visitant of the district to which it has especial reference. In 

 all probability too it will increase the number of such visitants to a 



