227 



1 believe to be of paramount importance, and well deserving the attention of every 

 philanthropist : I mean its application to the relief of the physical and moral wants 

 of densely crowded populations in large cities. Among the members of this popula- 

 tion there are numbers, who, either from early associations, or from that love of Nature 

 which exists to a greater or less degree in the bosom of all, are passionately fond of 

 flowers, and endeavour to gratify their taste at no small toil." — p. 57. 



After some observations on the importance of the free admission of 

 light into human habitations, and on its influence upon the animal 

 economy as well as upon vegetation, the author shows in what man- 

 ner the innate love of Nature above alluded to may be gratified at a 

 trifling expense. He however cautions the poorer classes " against 

 indulging a taste for what are called fancy flowers — things which this 

 year are rewarded with gold medals, and the next are thrown upon 

 the dunghill" — as being opposed to the legitimate pursuits of horti- 

 culture. The benefical eflects of the study of Botany are next dwelt 

 upon; and the interesting anecdote of Parke and the moss concludes 

 the chapter. 



Chap. VI. — On the prohahle future application of the preceding 

 facts. The Wardian cases evidently fimiish great facilities for ex- 

 perimenting on numerous doubtful matters connected with Botany, 

 Horticulture and Agriculture, such as the effects of different soils and 

 manures ; the power of the roots in the offices of absorption and se- 

 lection ; the determination of the existence and nature of excretions 

 from the roots, whether poisonous or otherwise ; " the effects of poi- 

 sons upon plants ; " " the influence of light in protecting plants from 

 the effects of low temperature ; " various points respecting the deve- 

 lojiment and growth of Fungi, and the other lower orders of vegeta- 

 tion; and the investigation of " that debatable ground on the confines 

 of the animal and vegetable kingdoms, where in our present state of 

 ignorance it is often impossible to determine the point at which one 

 ends and the other begins ; " — these are but a few of the quanstiones 

 vexatce in the settlement of which the glazed cases may be used with 

 great advantage. 



The author next adverts to the application of the principle on a 

 large scale as "a remedial means of the highest order" in the treat- 

 ment of numerous diseases which would readily yield " to the reno- 

 vating influence of pure air," although without this auxiliary the skill 

 of the medical man may be of little avail. He more particularly men- 

 tions measles and consumption as diseases in which a supply of pure 

 air and a properly regulated atmosphere are of the greatest impor- 

 tance ; and after s])caking of the direct mortality arising from measles 



