60 



THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY 



[February, 



ume. In viow of the many expensive works 

 which Imve heen published on ornithology, not 

 even excei)tiiig the latest additions t(j flie sci- 

 ence, a book so choaj), and so replete with de- 

 tails, both of structure and habit, cannot fail to 

 awaken attention, and receive a cordial wel- 

 come. 



That a work of tliis cliaraoter was badly needed, 

 particularly in New England, cannot b« denied, 

 since Samuel's work, which has already passed 

 through several editions unimproved, has out- 

 grown its usefulness. To write the bird-l)istory 

 of New England anew, has been left to the ready 

 pen of our author. In this task he has succeeded 

 nobly. With a mind well-stored with the most 

 interesting particulars of bird-life — the results of 

 patient and persevering stud}- — he undertook 

 this labor, which is certainly much in advance 

 of anything that has come from that quarter. 

 His language is simple and precise, with enough 

 of imagery to make it pleasing. 



In many places he bears indubitable testi- 

 mony to the accuracy of former observations. 

 WliGjre he differs from earlier writers, which he 

 sometimes does, it is with no intention of under- 

 valuing their labors, but with a noble purpose of 

 placing upon record the few truths wiiich he has 

 been able to glean from nature, as seen from his 

 standpoint of observation. 



The studj' of systematic ornithology certainly 

 owes to Mr. Minot a deep debt of gratitude, for 

 the valuable keys which he has ajipended to the 

 work. The ornithological key will be found an 

 indispensable aid to the tyro in this department 

 of science, who will be able to identify by its 

 help, particular species of av^s, with considerable 

 ease, and at a great saving of time. The oologi- 

 cal key will be best appreciated by those who are 

 not so scientific, and whose tastes are more con- 

 centred upon the beautiful in nature. 



The chapter devoted to the history of our 

 "Game Birds," will be especially valuable to the 

 sportsman, who will find in the small space de- 

 voted to their history, all that is necessary to be 

 known. 



I could not suffer this opportunity to pass 

 without saying a few words commendatory of 

 the general appearance of the book. For neat- 

 ness of arrangement and excellence of typo- 

 graphy, it cannot be surpassed. Its enterprising 

 publishers are deserving of unstinted praise for 

 their part of the work. I hope it will meet with 

 a sale commensurate with the wishes of both 

 author and publisher. 



RECOLLECTIONS OF AUSTRALIA. 



r.V WM. I. lIAUniNG, iQMMHUS, OHIO. 



How frequently cireumstantial incidents oc- 

 cur, which remind us of events, happy or other- 

 wise, gone by. As an instance, the following re- 

 marks will suffice to verify the assertion. While 

 " in meditative mood," the rustling leaves above, 

 reminded me of an episode in the life of Matthew 

 Flinders. I had pa.ssed the night beneath the 

 boughs of a noble specimen of Flindersia Austra- 

 lis; so named in compliment to that brave old 

 navigator. The tree is better known among the 

 colonial carpenters and cabinet-makers as Aus- 

 tralian mahogany. The wood takes a high pol- 

 ish, and is u.seful for many purposes. But the 

 special interest then connected with the tree, 

 was from the recollections it awoke in memory 

 of the sad history of the intrepid Flinder«, who, 

 accompanied by the famous botanist and natu- 

 ralist, R(jbert Brown, circumnavigated New Hol- 

 land in the year 1810. 



Although we resumed our journey at an early 

 hour, we appeared to make but little progress. 

 My fellow-traveler was less cheerful than usual, 

 and from some cause or other, lingered behind. 

 He seemed a sadder man, if not a wiser one, 

 than he was the day before. Our way through 

 the forest, lay beyond a lofty ridge which stretched 

 widely before us. The ascent was very fatiguing, 

 and difficult, but, when we reached the top, I at 

 least, felt well rewarded for my pains. One of 

 the wildest, most rugged, and ultra-romantic 

 scenes I ever saw was before me. 



Looking down the precipice, I beheld such a 

 rockery as few mortals have seen. The rugged 

 summit was fringed with Flindersias and the 

 singular Hakea trifurcata, Araucaria Cunning- 

 hamia, Agnostus sinuatus, and the plume-like 

 Acacia luphantha, A. spectabilis, and A. pul- 

 chella. The wierd-like Melaleucas of several 

 kinds, the strangely formed Spermaxyron stric- 

 ta, Ficus aspera, Eriocaulon Australis, Cycus an- 

 gustata, Zanthoxylum Australis; and the orna- 

 mental Elseodendron Australe, Angophora cor- 

 difolia, Croton rosmarinifolia, and Buxus Aus- 

 trale. Winding round the trunks and embracing 

 the branches, hinig wreaths and garlands of the 

 beautiful evergreen Billardiera parvifolia and B, 

 mutabilis; the one spangled with blue, and the 

 other with crimson florets. Wildly festooning in 

 heavy drooping masses, were Hardenbergia 

 Comptoniana — a pretty purple flower; Zichya 

 sericia, scarlet; and SoUya heterophylla, blue. 



