36 Queries, Criticisms, ^-c. 



fall, from the Messrs. Downing, Newburgh, New York, specimens of 

 several of these " outcasts" which were from old trees, and which, we 

 hesitate not to say, were never seen in greater perfection by Duhamel, 

 or other equally eminent pomologists of his time. — Id. 



Aquatic Plants, either hardy or tender, are rarely met with in our 

 gardens: with the exception of a few of the former in the Botanic 

 Garden at Cambridge, and one or two of the latter at Belmont Place, 

 not one is believed to exist in this vicinity. Are they difficult of flow- 

 ering when transferred from their native habitats, that they are neglect- 

 ed? Nothing is more beautiful than the uymphfeas, and perhaps some 

 remarks by your correspondents, who are acquainted with them, might 

 be the means of drawing attention to the subject. — »S. 



Lichen Tree. — On the edge of a neighboring swamp in Scituate is 

 an old and decayed apple tree, of a very large size, whose branches are 

 covered with a profusion of lichens of two species, viz. U'snea florida 

 and barbata. Not a twig of its spray which is not enveloped in this 

 singular drapery of cryptogamus vegetation ! As 1 saw it leafless on a 

 November morning, and in the midst of a violent shower, its appear- 

 ance was highly picturesque and altogether unique. The moisture of 

 the atmosphere had given a verdure to the vegetation, of that grayish- 

 green color peculiar to those plants. It seemed some hoary patri- 

 arch of the vegetable world. — R. 



The Estate of the late Dr. Hosack having been sold since his death, 

 I understand the green-house collection will be oflfered for sale in the 

 ensuing spring. The collection is remarkably rich in barlksias, a noble 

 genus of plants, of which the Doctor was probably fond, and the plants 

 of the different species now at Hyde Park are believed to be the finest 

 m the country, being thrifty and of large size. We hope these, as well 

 as many other fine things in that collection, will fall into the hands of 

 some amateur who will appreciate their value. — Yours, N., New York. 



Vlex optica, or American Holly. — This splendid native shrub [ ?] is now 

 in all its glory, interspersed amidst the fine specimens of evergreen 

 pines and hemlocks, or else rendered more conspicuous in itself, by its 

 contrast with the leafless forest trees of a deciduous habit. Its rich 

 scarlet berries, on short peduncles, glittering among the dark-green 

 leaves, render it an exceedingly interesting object, even when seen at a 

 considerable distance. This neighborhood can boast of several ever- 

 green shrubs, such as the above, together with Kalmia latifolia, Prinos 

 glaber, Andromeda calyculata, and at Plymouth the alpine prostrate 

 crowberry, E'mpetrum nigrum. — J?., Hinghani, Nov. 30, 1836. 



Art. IV. Queries, Criticisms, <^c. 



Malta Melon. — Have any of your correspondents ever cultivated this 

 melon.'' It is said to possess the rare quality of keeping three or four 

 months without its flavor, which is also stated to be delicious, being in 

 the least injured. Some information respecting it will be very accept- 

 able to your friend and subscriber — S. Dec. 16th, 1836. 



Madura aurantiaca. — Can Judge Buel have reference to this plant 

 when he states, in the Cultivator, for December, that it is of slow growth, 

 more tender than the Chinese mulberrj^, that the stems have been killed 

 down to the ground every season, for eight or ten years in his garden, 

 and that the fruit is similar to a black walnut.' This statement is so 



