350 BOTANICAL INFORMATION. 
walking. Pliny observed that while it is greedily eaten by asses, it 
proves rank poison to other beasts of burthen; but we had no oppor- 
tunity of testing this poiut, for sheep and goats were the only quadru- 
peds on the island. 
“The plant is now chiefly employed for making low stools. The dried 
stalks, being placed alternately in length and breadth, form cubes, 
which are fastened at the four corners with pegs of wood ; and these 
cubes are the visiting-seats of the ladies of Amorgos. Very different 
was the use to which the ancients applied the Ferula? Pliny and 
Strabo relate that Alexander kept Homer’s work enclosed in a casket 
of Ferula, because of its lightness. The body of the casket, being 
made of this plant, was covered with rich stuff or skin, adorned with 
ribs of gold, and studded with pearls and precious stones.” 
In Sicily, the pithy stems are employed as natural tinder-boxes. 
Appointments to Natural History Chairs (ineluding Botany) in the 
` Queen's Colleges, Ireland. 
Belfast.—We are happy to learn that Dr. Dickie, Lecturer on Zo- 
ology and Botany in the University and King's College, Aberdeen, and 
author of numerous contributions to Botanical Science, published in 
various scientific periodicals, has received this appointment; while to 
that of Cork, William Hinkes, LL.D., is announced ; and to Galway, 
A. G. Melville, M.D., formerly Demonstrator of Anatomy to the Uni- 
versity of Edinburgh. 
NOTICES OF BOOKS. 
GENERA FLOR® AMERICA Boreali-orientalis Illustrata. The Genera of 
the Plants of the United States, illustrated by figures and analyses from 
nature, by Issac SPRAGUE; superintended, and with descriptions, &c., 
by Asa Gray, M.D., &e. Vol. ii., plates 101-186, royal 8vo. New 
York, 1849. 
We hail with peculiar pleasure the second volume of this very im- 
portant work: important, not only to the American Botanist and the 
