ON THE ORGAN MOUNTAINS. 273 



be generally eaten with impunity, notwithstanding the slight 

 prussic acid flavour which pervades even their luscious sugary 

 juice ; but some constitutions are liable to be affected by this 

 trace. It was indeed considered unlikely that amelioration would 

 be carried much further. For at least a century little improve- 

 ment has been effected, and in every variety the kernels have 

 proved intensely bitter. But at last this is overcome ; in the 

 specimen above described the deleterious quality considered 

 inherent in the species has disappeared ; and Mr. Barker himself 

 informed me that his fruits with sweet kernels may be eaten as 

 a full meal, in quantities at any thne of the day, and repeatedly, 

 with perfect safety. 



Mr. Crawford Baillie, gardener to Lord Prudhoe, has fur- 

 nished the following additional memorandum concerning the 

 Stanwick Nectarine : — 



" The Stanwick Nectarine was raised from seeds sown in 

 March, 1843, and budded the same autumn on the Bellegard 

 Peach. In 1845 a few flower-buds were produced near the 

 ends of some of the strongest shoots, but the wood not being 

 sufficiently ripe, they proved abortive. 



" The tree on its own roots is a strong and robust grower, and 

 continues to grow late in autumn, and has hitherto retained its 

 leaves throughout the winter. I have no doubt, however, that 

 when worked upon Apricot, Plum, or Almond stocks, it will 

 prove quite hardy, and bear well, even in the north of England. 



" I may mention that the Nectarine is fourteen days later 

 than the peach upon which it was worked." 



XLIII. — Cotitributions to a History of the Relation between 

 Climate and Vegetation in various parts of the Globe. 



No. 2. — The Vegetation of the Organ Mountains of Brazil. 

 By George Gardner, Esq., F.L.S., Director of the Eoyal 

 Botanic Garden, Ceylon. 



The Organ Mountains are situated to the north of Rio de Ja- 

 neiro, and about 63 miles distant. They rise to the height of 

 about 7000 feet, and take their name from a fancied resemblance 

 which their peaks have to the tubes of an organ when seen from 

 a distance. As the bay of Rio runs from south to north about 

 20 miles, this part of the journey to the mountains is always 

 made by water, and the sail is a very pleasant one ; the bay 

 being studded with an y 1 ittle verdant islands. The journey 

 from the landing place to the foot of the mountains leads through 

 a flat, partly sandy and partly swampy country. The sandy 



VOL. I. T 



