MARCH. 61 



inserted in a deep cavity. Calyx large, a little reflexed at the points. 

 Eye broad, open, set in a wide plaited basin. Flesh pale greenish 

 yellow, very tender, crisp, and possesses a high aromatic flavour. It 

 is a good dessert fruit, and is also esteemed for baking, tarts, &c. In 

 use from November to February. 



The trees are healthy and good bearers, particularly when young. 

 It is a strong grower, and when planted as a standard forms a fine 

 head. 



Frogmore. J. Powell. 



(To be continued.) 



BRITISH PLANTS. 



Nepeta cataria. This cannot be considered a common species in 

 this neighbourhood, it being found only in one situation, and even 

 there but scantily. The locality referred to is adjacent to Christ 

 Church, Virginia Water, and is so remarkable for its seclusiveness, 

 that this sweet-scented favourite doubtless escapes quite unnoticed 

 by the majority of those who weekly flock in numbers to the sacred 

 edifice in question. Preferring as it does a chalky soil is a sufficient 

 evidence to account for its almost entire absence from this neigh- 

 bourhood. The strong scent of this plant has a peculiarly powerful 

 effect on cats. Ray says that cats never meddled with this plant 

 when raised from seed ; but when transplanted into his garden, it 

 was invariably destroyed by them. Of the truth of this, sufficient 

 proof has been afforded me. The flower is white, prettily spotted 

 with rose, which combination is increased even to admiration when 

 viewed through a microscope. 



Ajuga chamapitys . This didynamous plant may now, I believe, 

 be considered rare, many situations in which it was formerly found 

 being now ranked among " things that were." The question was 

 asked in a popular periodical only a short time ago, "where this 

 plant may now be found ?" After noticing this, I had the gratification 

 of inspecting a complete Herbarium belonging to a lady, and among the 

 many rare specimens which it contained was the plant now referred 

 to, labelled "Ajuga chamsepitys, Reigate ;" and only the other day, 

 while reading the Phytologist for 1849, I observed that some spot 

 near Boxhill was given as another station for it. I have in my 

 possession a specimen gathered at Longwood Warren, Winchester, 

 a place described as almost entirely destitute of all ligneous vegeta- 

 tion. I have, however, seen other specimens which were gathered 

 in the same barren tract of land ; but whether that district affords 

 this British plant at the present time or not, I am quite unable to 

 say. It is also stated to be found in Kent and Cambridgeshire. 

 Though seemingly fitted for rather a barren soil, this favourite re- 

 wards us with conspicuous little flowers, the colour being yellow, 

 slightly spotted with red. Indeed altogether this may be pronounced 

 to be an attractive little plant. 



