I860.] EXTRACTS FllOIM CORRESPONDENCE. 377 



by assuming that several seeds have germinated in close proxi- 

 mity to each other. 



Generally those who have attempted their cultivation have 

 grubbed up some of the largest and best-looking plants which 

 they could find, without any reference to their age, when it could 

 not otherwise happen but that in a year or two they would com- 

 plete the period of their existence. If the foregoing ideas are 

 correct^ it is from seed alone that we must look for any consi- 

 derable increase of this beautiful tribe of plants. 



Last season I requested Mr. Joseph Croucher, of Reigate, to 

 save some seeds of Orchis for me, and he sent me seeds of three 

 species. About a month ago I sowed a small seed-pan^ mixing 

 the sorts^ and reserving the remainder until spring : upon exami- 

 nation yesterday (the 13th November) I find that six plants have 

 already made their appearance. They are about one-eighth of an 

 inch high, and about as large as a horsehair ; the skin of the 

 seed adheres to the apex of the single cotyledon, as in the genus 

 Allium. I have compared it with the dry seed under a lens, and 

 they correspond exactly. I have now settled the point that the 

 Orchis may be grown from seed ; the cidtivation still remains to 

 be found out ; but a few experiments will, I trust, settle that 

 point also. I hope others will take the matter up, which would 

 accelerate the result. 



EXTRACTS FROM CORRESPONDENCE. 



A Handful of Wild Flowers from Keston Common or Heath, 



gathered on the 2Sth August, 1860. 



To such of your readers as have historical sympathies, and are 

 not deeply read in the Archaeological works of Camden, Hasted, 

 Dunkin, etc., it may be useful to learn, that they may profitably 

 study the remains of Roman greatness in that very remarkable 

 monument of antiquity called Caesar's Camp, near Keston Cross, 

 beyond Bromley, Kent. 



All antiquaries are agreed that this was a Roman station, and 

 the immense rampart and deep fosse, or a small portion of them, 

 are still very visible in Holwood Park, celebrated for being some 

 time ago the country seat of one of England's greatest statesmen 

 and orators. 



I have only to tell your readers who delight in fine scenery and 



N, S. VOL, IT, 3 c 



