96 THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. [April, 



egg just ready to be protruded. An acarus of the same type has been found in the papillaeform 

 galls so common on the leaves of the Lime ; and very similar mites occur in the galls of 

 Willow leaves. The minute acari of the Black Currant vary in size from about l-250th to 

 l-140th of an inch in length. There are two setae at the end of the abdomen, and one on 

 each side, four logs, and a pair of palpi. The abdomen is closely striated with granular lines, 

 which are frequently far more visible in the dead skins than in the living insect. The disease 

 •was first observed in Yorkshire about four years since, and has increased rapidly, and seems 

 likely to make the cultivation of the Black Currant very precarious. 



%, monster Aroideous plant has recently been met with at Nicaragua 



by Dr. Seemann, who has sent living specimens to this country. It has a 

 rhizome larger than a man's head, and a peduncle 4 ft. high, and 4 in. in 



diameter, bearing an upright spathe, which measures 2 ft. in length and 1 ft. 8 in. across. It 

 emits a carrion-like odour. On the outside it is of a dark purplish blue colour ; inside it is 

 reddish brown, the part surrounding the spadix being yellowish white. The plant has only 

 one leaf, which measures 13 ft. 8 in. in length, the petiole alone being 10 ft. long. The plant 

 is evidently a " big brother " to the Indian Amorphophallus. 



She Lonicera fragrantissima is a most desirable evergreen shrub for a 



sunny nook on a conservative wall, and worthy a position in all gardens, whether 

 large or small. In mild seasons it will bloom in such a situation, from November 

 onwards, and its small white flowers are deliciously fragrant. Like all the Loniceras, it 

 strikes readily from cuttings. The plant blooms more profusely when spurred in freely. 



©he Myrobalan, or Cherry Plum, is evidently as distinct a species as 



the Sloe (Prunus spinosa), for although many thousands are annually raised from 

 seed to be used as stocks for a few sorts of Plums, which succeed well when 

 grafted on it, no variation in habit is ever seen. There are two or three kinds that vary in 

 the colour of their fruit, one bearing yellow and another greenish-yellow Plums. The latter 

 is common in Belgium, and strikes freely from cuttings in the light peaty soils of that coun- 

 try, where it is called the Mirabelle Plum, and is used for stocks for Plums, Peaches, and 

 Apricots. A Plum introduced some years since to Chiswick from the Himalayas as the 

 original form of the Green Gage, proved to be the Cherry Plum. 



©he Golden Russet Peamiain is a very fine Apple, raised in the 



neighbourhood of Crewkerne, by E. Donne, Esq. It is one of the best in culti- 

 vation, equalling in flavour Cox's Orange Pippin, Eibston Pippin, and Sykehouse 

 Russet. The fruit is conical, or Pearmain-shaped, of medium size, and of a fine lemon- 

 yellow, tinged and dotted with vermilion on the sunny side, and covered with patches and 

 tracings of rough russet, especially around the eye. The flesh is yellowish-white, rich, juicy, 

 and aromatic, and it is altogether a delicious Apple for the season, December to March. 



%l Muscat of Alexandria Vine, at Castle Kennedy, has no artificial heat 



given to it up to the time of its starting into growth of its own accord. Under 

 these conditions it succeeds perfectly, Mr. Fowler having tried the plan for several 

 years, and excepting some Muscats at Archerfield, he finds that it finishes its berries better 

 than any he over saw. This fact is worth knowing, for amateurs are afraid to introduce this 

 sort, owing to the heat and forcing it is said to require ; while Mr. Fowlor grows it in a house 

 devoted to Lady Downe's Seedling, which only requires a little artificial heat in the atmosphere 

 to consume damp, and ripen the wood. 



©fcttttarg* 



f&R. Seward Snow died on the 10th of March, in his 76th year, at 



Wrest Park, Bedfordshire. For many years he had been a successful exhibitor at 

 the metropolitan shows. He was also the raiser of several excellent vegetables, 

 especially Snow's Superb Winter White Broccoli, a variety which is highly esteemed through- 

 out Great Britain. Mr. Snow reintroduced, under the name of Muscat Hamburgh, the fine 

 Black Muscat of Alexandria Grape, which had almost grown out of cultivation. 



