233 BOTANICAL NEWS 
the translations of which Humboldt and Juseieu wrote introductions. Tlie 
last work with wliich his name is associated was a * Botanical Poclcet Dictionary,' 
in which he had Dr. Lindlcy as a coadjutor, and which professes to gire the 
history and culture of all plants known m Britain. Among the many magni- 
■ 
ficent works which Paxton constructed at Chatsworth was the great conserya- 
tory, a glass and iron structure. 300 feet long, which lie made the model of the 
Crystal Palace in Hyde Park, his design being accepted by the Eoyal Commis- 
sioners after 233 plana had been rejected. For his public services on this 
occasion he was knighted. In 1853 he commenced the building of the Crystal 
Palace, at Sydenham, wliich was completed in June, 1S54. In the same year 
he became Member of Parliament for Coventry, he being elected without oppo- 
sition. Shortly after his entry into the House, he submitted a plan for employ- 
ing a corps of navvies at the siege of Sebastopol, w hich was accepted by Govern- 
ment and proved practicaL For some time past he had been in ill-health, and 
had announced his intention to resign his seat In Parhament. He entered the 
Crystal Palace for the last time on the day of the recent flower-show, but he 
felt then so weak that he was unable to accomplish a review of the whole dis- 
play. Growing daily weaker, he died on the 8th of June, at his residence at 
Eockhills, nest the Crystal Palace. His friend and patron, the Duke of Devon- 
shire, had preceded him a few years, and shortly before liis death handed him 
ft life policy for £20,000. Sir Joseph, without giving up his lucrative place at 
Chatsworth, followed the profession of an architect and civil engineer from the 
time he constructed the Crystal Palace, His writings bear traces of haste, and 
have a horticultural, though not a strictly botanical value. 
EoTAKiCAii Society of Edinbueoh, April IWi, — Dr. Alexander Dickson, 
President in the chair. The foUowiiig communications were read : — 1. An Ac- 
count of the Flora of that part of Hampshire called the New Forest. By Henry 
Trimen, Esq. The author stated that the number of species known to inhabit 
it now amounted to 723, of which number he had liimself collected 530. The 
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flora was shown to contain many species of both the east and west of England, 
which are not usually found in the same district. The western type of vegeta- 
tion was seen to prevail, however, and this was considered to be due to the damp 
humid climate, IN'umerous species rare in the south of England, but common 
in North Britain, were mentioned, and their growth traced to the barren na- 
ture of the soil. — 2. Contributions to the Flora of Otago, New Zealand. By 
Dr. Lauder Lindsay. In this paper the author gave an account of some rare 
Musci, Hepaticcs, and Alg<je, which had been collected by him in New Zealand. 
3. Under the Snow, or the Flowering of Plants in Closed Cases. By N. B. 
Ward, Esq. (The substance of tliis was given at page 159 of the ' Journal of 
Botany,' Yol. III.) — 4, Keport on the Flowering of Plants in the Open Air at 
the Royal Botanic Garden. By Mr. M'Nab.— A letter was read from Mr. Wil- 
liam Bell, dated "Botanic Garden, Saharunpore, 28th Feb., 1865." He has 
recently made more observations on the sexual organs of Ferns and Mosses, 
aud has been led to the belief that the antheridial and archegonial cells are 
not the true generative organs of these plants. — Mr. Sadler exhibited specimens 
of Dicranodontium asperulum of Mitten's * MnscI Indici,' collected at Mains 
Cattle, New Kilpatrick, by Mr. W. Gait. 
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