4 THE AMERICAN BOTANIST. 



inches long, three inches in circumference in the widest part, 

 tapering to a rounded point at the lower end. The shell is 

 of a cork-like texture, though not as soft as cork, and has a 

 number of ridges and grooves. These meet in a blunt point 

 at the u^^i^er end. The shells, easily opened, even by the 

 pressure of a light foot, disclose a long kernel, which at once 

 shows kinship to the Brazil nut, as it also does in taste; but 

 to the latter it is vastly superior, the flavor being most deli- 

 cately sweet. The empty vase is both useful and ornamental 

 and is called a "monkey pot." 



The cashew nut, of which the editor drew so luminous a 

 picture, in the January Botanist^ is another novelty here. 

 A friend returned from Jamaica, introduced it to us. It has 

 not gained high favor. It resembles a lima bean in looks, 

 and is inferior in taste to be a good peanut. 



Pistachio nuts, slightly wasted and salted, have ceased to 

 be a novelty. The market also affords monstrous paper shell 

 pecans three inches long; and the English filberts or cob nuts 

 much larger than our hazel nuts. 



New York City. 



THE ADVENT OF SPRING 



BY WILLARD N. CLUTE. 



SPRING belies the calender and is bound by no set dates. 

 Her mingling of snowstorms and sunshine in the early 

 days of her reign is exceedingly perplexing to those who go 

 by the almanac and expect the vernal season to begin without 

 fail on a certain day. Those who are alive to the subtile 

 suggestions of coming mildness, and can feel the pulse of the 

 year, as it were, anticipate no abrupt transitions. In spite of 

 cold and storm they mark the signs of Natures resurrection 

 long before the ordinary observer has noted them. 



We commonly feel that in some way spring follows the 

 sun southward, and is not to be expected until that luminary 



