NOTICES OF NEW PLANTS. 



bable solution seems to be that they are the result of some electrive agency, and are de 

 posited on the earth by its agency. The phenomena of colored rain, which has been 

 observed and carefully examined by naturalists in various parts of the world, seems to 

 us to have some relation to those mysterious and sudden eruptions of vegetable disease. 

 In many cases recorded in the Journal of Science, this rain has fallen when the sky was 

 unclouded—showing its direct dependance upon electric phenomena. In 1845 a shower 

 of inky black rain fell in a district in England, and was believed there to be the origin of 

 the potato disease. Prof. Bailet, of West Point, one of our closest microscopic naturalists, 

 has recorded two instances of colored rain which have fallen in this country, in Sillinian's 

 Journal. His analysis of this rain showed it to be composed mainly of the pollen of Pine 

 trees — but an analysis of some colored rain which fell in England, in 1849, showed dis- 

 tinctly the spores of fungi. The whole subject is still far from being understood, but it is 

 one which is taking a shape so serious to the cultivation of the soil, that men of science 

 should bestow more attention upon it 



NOTICES OF NEW PLANTS. 



IIabrothamnus elegans. — We must commend this showy and beautiful summer 

 blooming plant, to the attention of our floricultural readers. It is a native of Mexico, 



and though as yet only kept in green-hcuscs m winter, it is likely to prove hardy at the 

 root if covered with a foot or two of leaves and litter at the approach of winter. Young 

 foot or two high, turned out into a rich deep border, will grow three or four 

 uring the summer, and bloom continual from July to November. The plan 



