513 BOTANICAL NOTES, NOTICES, AND QUERIES. [April. 



tenella, Alisma ranunculoides, and very many others. The Eector of 

 Caistor, the Eev. H, Maclean, possesses an extensive and handsome 

 fernery ; his extreme kindness to visitors I can vouch for, having myself 

 received proofs of it. J. Britten. 



A New Substitute for Cotton. 



{From the ^Independence,^ Nov. 8, 1862.) 

 The Governor-General of Canada has communicated to the Botanical 

 Society specimens and seeds of a new fibre-plant from the Rocky Moun- 

 tains. This plant, commonly known as the Silk-weed, has been deter- 

 mined to be an Asclepias, and is now under experiment in the Botanic 

 Garden at Kensington, C.W. Dr. Hart, the discoverer of the plant, in a 

 communication addressed to Lord Monck, explaining the mode of cultiva- 

 tion of the plant, says : " Its fibre or staple is longer and firmer than 

 cotton, and of a gloss no silk or satin can match. During ten years I 

 have planted cotton in Yazoo, Mississippi Valley. My brand was sought 

 by the Liverpool and Manchester speculator, and brought the highest 

 prices ; and on that practical experience I ground my convictions with 

 regard to the Silk-weed." The ' Kingston Whig,' in recommending its 

 cultivation in Canada, says : " Who knows but this fibre-plant. Silk- 

 weed, or Asclepias, may, from its hardiness, glossiness, or fibrous texture, 

 yet take the place of cotton, which could not grow in Canada, lying so far 

 north as it does. But this plant, borne from the heights of the Rocky 

 Mountains, may find a more congenial home in the less rigorous climate 

 of Canada." 



To Guernsey Visitants. 



Those who intend going to the Channel Islands, either for a holiday, 

 short excursion, or as permanent residents, should procure a small tract 

 of about thirty pages, on the climate, productions, statistics, economics, 

 etc., of Guernsey and Sark. 



A more detailed notice of this useful handbook will appear in some 

 subsequent number. It is entitled, ' A Handbook for Invalids, Geologists, 

 Naturalists, Archaeologists, and others.' S. Barbet, Printer and Publisher, 

 25, High Street, Guernsey. Price ^d. 



Communications have been received from 

 John Sim; W. Winter; T. B. Flower; James Walker; J. S. M. ; 

 Sidney Beisly ; W. Pamplin ; William Mitten ; Charles Howie ; Rev. W. 

 R. Barnard ;' W. T. Dyer ; G. Wolsey ; W. P. ; E. M. Attwood ; F. Crepin. 



RECEIVED FOE REVIEW. 



The Banffshire Journal. 



Notes on Rooks. 



The Canadian Naturalist and Geologist. 



The Flora of Wiltshire, No. 6, continued. 



Guernsey, Sark, etc. A Handbook for Invalids, Geologists, Naturalists, 

 etc. 



Notes sur quelques Plantes Rares ou Critiqties de la Belgique. Troisieme 

 Fascicle. 



