THE FLORIST. 101 



embrace new flowers only ; on the contrary, it should be a pictorial 

 record of the good old favourites, excellence of properties being the 

 chief requisite ; for instance, in Tulips, such flowers as Polyphemus, 

 Strong's KingCamuse de Craix ; in Auriculas, say Page's Champion, 

 Col. Taylor, Taylor's Glory, and so on with other sorts. New 

 flowers, of established fame and character, would necessarily also be 

 given, as an important feature. 



I would propose that the work be simply illustrative ; as, for ex- 

 ample, like the work on Camellias now being published monthly by 

 VerschafFelt, of Ghent; and containing so much letterpress as to 

 give the brief history of the flower and its properties ; so that the 

 literary labour would be light ; and any amateur well conversant with 

 florists' flowers, together with an able artist, would comprise all the 

 editorial establishment. 



That the work would be eminently successful there can be no 

 question ; for what amateur or professional florist, who spends so 

 much of his time, his money, and his thoughts on his favourites, to 

 see their beauties but for a few days in the year, would not rejoice to 

 have their depicted image ever before him ? The work could only be 

 efficiently conducted in London, for obvious reasons ; it is there that 

 artists abound, and in its vicinity the whole race of flowers. 



About twenty years ago, a work, as advertised in Loudens Gar- 

 deners' Journal, was projected by, I believe, Mr. Butler, to give illus- 

 trations of Tulips only ; but I am not aware whether it was really 

 commenced, or how far continued. Such a work, however, to be 

 successful, or to be generally interesting, should comprise all florists' 

 flowers, and none but what are strictly such; each number, when 

 practicable, containing different sorts. But the time is at hand for 

 the commencement of laying up the materials; and necessarily, 

 drawings of each sort in season, beginning with Auriculas, should 

 be " taken." Would that these hints, loosely as they are put to- 

 gether, may incite some spirited florist to " make them a local habi- 

 tation and a name." A monthly number of four plates, for about 

 2s. or 2s. 6d., would be about the thing required. 



F. R. Horner, M.D. 



ON THE BEAR'S EARS, OR AURICULA. 



COPY OF A MANUSCRIPT DATED 1732. 



People are of different opinions concerning the place where the 

 Auricula was first found ; some asserting that it was brought from 

 the Alps ; some that it came from a certain part of France ; whilst 

 others affirm that it was originally produced in Flanders. Be this 

 as it will, it is certain the first found were of very bad colours, 

 and had very small pips ; and that from the seed of the best in 

 succession we have gained those that are now seen in the greatest 

 perfection. 



