268 REVIEWS AND EXTRACTS. 



Legurninosoe. This very singular and distinct species was discovered by 

 Mr. Menzif.s, in King George's Sound ; and, in the same country, by the 

 late Mr. Frazer, whence he sent seeds to the Glasgow Botanic Garden, al 

 which place it flowered in the greenhouse in 1834. The flowers are produced 

 in globose heads, of a lemon colour; they are delightfully flagrant, smell- 

 ing like Hawthorn. Acacia, from ahazo, to sharpen; many species thorny. 



4. Silene Virpnica, Virginian Calchfly. Synonym, Lychnis coccinea. 

 Pecandria, Trigynia. C&ryophylleae. The plant grows about 18 inches 

 high, nearly smooth, and panicled above. The flowers are of a fine light 

 scarlet, more than an inch across. 



;>. Iris tenax, Tough-leaved Iris. Triandria, Monogynia. Irideae. This 

 interesting plant is stated by its discoverer to be a common plant in North 

 California, and along the coast of New Georgia, in dry soils or open parts 

 of woods, flowering in April and May, the same season that it does with us 

 when kept in a cool frame. Mr. Douglas gave it the appropriate appella- 

 tion of tenax, because the native tribes about the Anguilac River make a 

 line cord from the fibres of the leaver, of which they weave their fishing- 

 nets, a purpose to which it is admirably suited, on account of its buoyancy, 

 s trength, and durability. Snares are made of it tor deer and bears, of such 

 strength, that one not thicker than a sixteen-thread line is sufficient to 

 strangle the great stag of California (Cervus Alces), one of the most powerful 

 animals of its tribe. It has been recommended for cultivation by Professor 

 Lindley in England, (where it proves perfectly hardy,) as better suited to 

 our climate than the famous Neio Zealand Flax. Flowers of a reddish pur- 

 ple, solitary. 



6. Alstrcemeria ocnlata, Eye marked Alstrcemeria. Hexandria, Monogy- 

 nia. Arnaryllidea\ Various species of this elegant and beautiful genus 

 abound in s'outh America, especially on the side next the Pacific. The 

 present species can boast of flowers which, though perhaps the smallest of 

 the genus, are among the most desirable for gracefulness and beauty, and 

 remarkable for the eye-like spots in the centre of each inner petal. Flowers 

 reddish, white centre, surrounded by a purple band. It appears to have 

 been first discovered at Valparaiso, by Mr. Timing. Alstrcemeria, from 

 Baron C. Alstrcemer, a Swedish botanist. 



7. Caladium grand {folium, Large-leaved Caladium, or Indian Kale. Syn. 

 Arum grandifolium. Mona?cia, Polvandria. Aroide». This plant makes 

 a truly handsome appearance, with its climbing and rooting stems, its large 

 foliage, and pale burl' spathas with a dark red line down the middle on the 

 back. It flowered in the Glasgow Botanic Garden in April last; the plant 

 came from Demerara. 



Edwards's Botanical Register. Edited by Dr. Lindlet, Pro- 

 fessor of Botany in the University of London. Price 4s. 

 coloured; 3s. plain. 



1. Gilia coronopifolia, Raven-footed Gilia, Pentandria, Monogynia. Po 

 lenioniacere. This very handsome plant is a native of Carolina. Although 

 the plant is delicate, it is tolerably easy to cultivate, and produces seed in 

 abundance. It is called in the French gardens, Iponwpsis picta. 



2. Ribes niveum, White-flowered Gooseberry. Pentandria, Monogynia. 

 Grossulacere. An undescribed Gooseberry, brought to the Horticultural 

 Society by Mr. Douglas, from North-west America. It is nearly allied to 

 the common European Gooseberry, from which it is distinguished by its Ion ^ 

 conical stamens. The fruit is about the size of that of a Black Currant, 

 and of the same deep, rich purple colour; it has altogether the appearance 

 of a small smooth gooseberry, but its flavour is very different. It is entirely 

 destitute of the flatness which is more or less perceptible in even the best 

 gooseberries, in lieu of which it has a rich subacid vinous, rather perfumed 

 flavour, which is extremely agreeable. The fruit is rather too acid to be 



