156 BOTANICAL INFORMATION. 
this very hour, I am prevented from writing further; but I have re- 
quested Sir Emerson Tennent, who was his greatest friend, and may 
consequently know more of his affairs, to write to you also; and as he 
is at Colombo, in case the steamer is late, he may have an opportunity 
of sending you fuller information. Forgive a hasty scrawl: this sad 
affair has quite upset me. 
* Your's very up 
“ TORRINGTON.” 
We have reason to believe that Mr. Gardner’s library and botanical 
works, and his Herbarium, will be offered at a valuation to the Govern- 
ment, to form part of the establishment of Peradenia, an institution that, 
under his able directorship, has stood at the head of all colonial gardens. 
To much of his scientific labours the pages of this and other Journals 
have borne ample testimony, and his friends looked with confidence for 
greater works than these. The publication on which he was engaged 
was an Introduction to the study of Botany, especially calculated for 
Tndia. Our own portfolio contains an elaborate manuscript paper on 
some new plants of China, discovered by Captain Champion, and he 
had collections and materials in a very forward state for a complete 
Flora Zeylanica. But he is cut off in the midst of his useful labours, 
to the regret of all who knew him.* 
Durability of Osx TIMBER. 
Two interesting specimens of Oak wood have been recently sent to 
the Museum of the Royal Botanic Gardens, showing under two 
different circumstances its great durability. 
Capt. Sir Everard Home, Bart., R.N., presented to us a pile of Oak, 
taken up in the year 1827, from Old London Bridge, in the most per- 
fect state of preservation. It had been thus immersed in the bed of 
the river for 650 years. The outside was rough and furrowed, but 
little corroded ; and the inside was as sound as when the tree was first 
cut down, partly blackened or stained by the action of the water, but 
perfectly firm to the centre and capable of receiving a fine polish. 
was the above notice penned, when we see by the Gardeners’ Chronicle 
e 21st) that Science e e another distinguished | botanist in the death of 
Professor ENDLICHER, at nj ape of a Genera Plantarum, and many other 
voci ol of great learning uil i rese 
