PL.CLXXXIV. 



THEOPHRASTA 



( ? ) IMPERIALIS. 



We are still obliged to employ the provisional name oi 

 this handsome tree as the title of our article. Since the 

 publication of our notice (1874, p. 83), renewed attempt 

 to determine its exact affinities have failed. The herbariums 

 and libraries of the principal botanical establishments in 

 Europe have been searched again in vain. We must there- 

 fore await the arrival of flowers from Brazil , whither we 

 have sent a requisition for them. Meanwhile we must 

 request our readers to consult future numbers for the true 

 name of this curious plant. 



However, our researches have brought to light some 

 further information, which may be of interest here: The 

 first living specimen introduced into Europe is still in 

 existence in the garden of M rs Legrelle-d'Eanis , at Berchem, 

 lez-Anvers. Mr. Linden recollects having seen it there about 

 the year 1846, under the name of Theophrasia imperialis. 

 In 1849, Mr. Libon sent living plants of it to Mr. De Jonghe, 

 at Brussels. A few years afterwards , Mr. Linden himself 

 received a consignment of several hundred young plants, 

 collected by his traveller, Mr. Marius Porte; and since then 

 it has spread all over Europe. Among the seedlings were 

 several seeds scarcely germinated , which enabled Mr. Lin- 

 den to determine that it was neither a Curatella nor a 

 Theophrasta, but certainly a member of the Sapotaceae. 



According to Mr. Houllet , the able and modest chief of 



the in-door department of the Museum gardens of Paris, 



the first specimens received at this establishment were sent by 



Mr. Porte, who gave the province of Kio as its place of growth. 



A handsome specimen was planted out in the big stove 



TSTJ3TW STEAWBEBEIES. 



We have lately received a list of four new varieties of I La Pkodigue. - Fruit 

 Strawberry obtained from seed by Mr. Kiffaud, the well- red; seeds slightly elevate* 

 known raiser, of Chalons-sur-Marne , who raised the variety and brisk; flavour very Hi 

 BuotevrXicaise, and subsequently many other tine varieties, taste, quality extra. A har. 

 The following are those of 1874, which have been tried and To these four wieties w< 

 adopted h y Mr. de Lambertye. ; we have previously referred 



Madame Augusts Combez. - Fruit very large, pear- I had an opportunity of tryi 

 shaped, ribbed, of fine shape and deep red colour, highly I Edouard A,,dre, A,> !n ,st;„ 

 glazed, seeds very prominent. Flesh tinged with salmon, Amongst the seedlings of 

 J Q te in the centre, perfumed, sugary, of exquisitely delicate are still some varieties of t 

 flavour. Plant vigorous, second early. \ strawberries will be glad b 



Marie de Gouiicy. — Fruit very large , triangular, deep class : Dm de Moment,, , I. 

 r, 'l- vanished, seeds slightly depressed. Flesh rich, tinted, ! Auguste Xi<-., 

 agreeably acid, highly perfumed. Bears transport well, on Kader, Passe j 

 account of the firmness of its flesh. Plant very robust and The weeding-out of a col 

 hardy, extremely prolific , early. cult task. Different soils do 



Albert Machet. - Fruit very large and handsome in plan is to try side by side 

 s »ape, elongated and almost cylindrical. Flesh white slightly mended as possible, and : 

 «aged with salmon, slightly acid; juice brisk, abundant, their relative merits. 

 a \ 0U1 ' very agreeable. A very free-growing, hardy, fertile 

 ™**y, second early. | 



