866 



only naturalized ; the more clearly does this appear when it is seen 

 growing side by side with the daffodil and the crocus, neither of which 

 can, by any mortal, be considered indigenous. 



A few straggling plants of the violet grow on the remains of the old 

 gateway at Airdit, and near to a little shady bank where the snowdrop 

 so pure and pale raises its little flowers. These sweet things both 

 seem wild at Airdit ; but there can be no doubt of their having at one 

 time escaped from the garden, which, in the days of old, it was their 

 part to lend their beauty in ornamenting. The mansion and gardens 

 are now no more; but these flowers remain to tell of the glory and 

 grandeur and gaiety that is gone. 



The violet likewise grows in Earls' Hall Wood, near to what used 

 to be the entrance to the principal approach to the hall. The plant 

 is not very plentiful at this place, and may probably have wandered 

 from the hall garden, although it is now full half-a-mile from it. It 

 seems naturalized here. 



George Lawson. 



Daiisie miiir, via Cupar, Fifesbire, 

 May, 1847. 



Notice of '^ The Elements of Botany, Structural and Physiological, 8fc. 

 By John Lindley, Ph. D., F.R.S., &c.' 



This is avowedly a fifth edition of the ' Outlines of the First Prin- 

 ciples of Botany,' with additions. We are told in the Preface, that 

 " the author has taken advantage of the oppoi'tunity thus aflForded him 

 of bringing it completely up to the state of botanical knowledge, 

 without, however, interfering with its original plan, by the introduction 

 of doubtfid or merely speculative matter, or of questions which do not 

 interest a student. It was in the outset a book for learners ; its pur- 

 pose was to state plainly and concisely the great facts of the science, 

 and to separate them from the ulterior questions to which they lead," 

 &c. "The book is for learners, and not for proficients ; the author 

 regards it in no other light, and puts it forth with no higher preten- 

 tions." "The true purpose of the work being thus explained, the 

 reason why many things have been omitted will become obvious — 

 they are of no importance to students. This is the case with minute 

 anatomy, which cannot be prosecuted far in a Botanical course, and 

 which, however interesting and important it may be, has no obvious 

 bearing upon Vegetable Physiology, when carried beyond what is 

 taught in the following pages. The theory of Spiral Structure, which 



