70 MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. 



1610. This institution merits particular notice, especially as it is a central 

 one, and has long enjoyed the benefit of a regular administration. Its 

 objects are twofold : first, to collect useful and remarkable plants from every 

 part of the world, and to distribute them as far as practicable, to every 

 part of France, and to other countries ; and secondly, to form a school of 

 botany and vegetable culture. Plants are brought to the garden from all 

 countries by a universal correspondence ; by particular naturalists, sent out 

 at the expense of the nation ; and by the general protection of the govern- 

 ment, which allows entrance, free of duty, and general carriage, free of 

 expense, to all plants brought for the use of the garden, by whatever kind 

 of vessel. Plants received in Paris are propagated without loss of time, 

 and distributed to all the botanic gardens in France, and to such of the 

 colonies where they may be useful ; and, lastly, they are sent to foreign 

 correspondents in return for similar favours. The provincial botanic gar- 

 dens, of which there is one at least in every department, distribute them 

 again among the eminent proprietors and cultivators in their neighbourhood. 

 Instruction is given by lectures, to which the public are admitted, and by 

 practical demonstrations. In Germany, botanic gardens are attached to 

 every university, and in Austria the science has met with the greatest en- 

 couragement from the enlightened munificence of the sovereigns, who have 

 neglected no opportunity of sending exploratory expeditions to collect plants. 

 The garden at Berlin is esteemed the first in Germany. Those at Munich 

 displays equal taste with the other foundations of the king of Bavaria. In 

 Saxony and Wirtemberg are admired gardens ; and this latter country pos- 

 sesses a private society of subscribers, of £1 each, for sending out travellers 

 to collect plants in every part of Europe. In Switzerland there is a botanic 

 "arden in every canton. In Sweden, the establishment at Upsal is celebrated 

 as having been under the direction of Linnneus. In Russia, tl.e botanic 

 garden of St Petersburg!!, containing sixty acres, is one of the largest in 

 Europe, and is maintained with a munifinence worthy of the scientific 

 patronage of that empire. A considerable part of it is devoted to the cul- 

 tivation of medicinal plants foi the hospitals ; and it is a central establish- 

 ment for the use of the empire. In Spain, among others, is that of Madrid, 

 containing forty-two acres, which like the great garden of St. Petersburgh, 

 cultivates medicinal plants. There are numerous other gardens in different 

 parts of the world, as will be seen by reference to the statistical table an- 

 nexed. 



(to be continued.) 



NEW OR RARE PLANTS. 



Chorozema Dcksoni. Named in compliment to the respectable nursery- 

 men Messrs. Dickinson's of Edinburgh. It is stated by those gentlemen to 

 be the finest species yet introduced, we saw it in several ot the London nur- 

 series, but not in bloom. The plant is of a bushy habit, foliage small and 

 fringed ; it is a very pretty plant when not in bloom, but as all the other 

 species are handsome, we doubt not but this will be found deserving a place 

 in every greenhouse. 



Physolobium Elatum. A beautiful flowering greenhouse plant, very 

 much resembling Kennedia coccinea ; it has been received from South Aus- 

 tralia, and will prove an interesting addition to that lovely tribe of of plants 

 to which it is so closely allied. We saw it at the Tooting Nursery. 



Oxylobuim Capitatum. A very fine species recently introduced, pro- 

 ducing fine heads of yellow and crimson flowers, rendering it a very 

 desirable plant for the greenhouse. It is grown at the Tooting Nursery. 



