278 Domestic Notices. 



so recently as 1764. The beautiful R. Chrysanthum, of Northern Siberia, 

 appeared in Linnceus' Supplement. Gemelin added the R. Katntscliaticum, 

 from Okotsh, and Behring's Straits, and Pallas the charming R. Caucasi- 

 cum, from the Caucasian Alps." 



We also quote the following graphic sketch of Himalayan scenery : — 

 " The mountain Sinchul, upon a space of which, looking north, Darjeel- 

 ing stands, attains an elevation of 9,000 feet, and to the west of it, next 

 Nepal, rises another conspicuous mountain, Zonglo, reaching a height of 

 10,000 feet. Due north of Darjeeling, at a distance of only 60 miles, the 

 horizon is bounded by the great snowy range, having for its principal fea- 

 ture the peak of Kinchin junga, which has lately been ascertained to be 

 28,172 feet in elevation, the loftiest mountain yet known in the world." 

 Dr. Hooker thus describes his first impressions of this scene : — 

 " Much as I had heard and read of the magnificence and beauty of Hima- 

 layan scenery, my highest expectations have been surpassed. I arrived at 

 Darjeeling on a rainy, misty day, which did not allow me to see ten yards 

 in any direction, much less to descry the snowy range, distant sixty miles, 

 in a straight line. Early next morning, I caught my first view, and I lit- 

 erally held my breath in awe and admiration. Six or seven successive 

 ranges of forest clad mountains, among which the giant peak of Kinchin- 

 junga rose 20,000 feet above the lofty point at which I gazed ! Owing to 

 the clearness of the atmosphere, the snow appeared to my fancy but a few 

 miles off, and the loftiest mountain at only a day's journey. The heaven- 

 ward outline was projected against a pale blue sky, while little detached 

 patches of mist clung here and thsre to the highest peaks, and were tinged 

 with golden yellow, or rosy red, by the rising sun, which touched these 

 elevated points long ere it reached the lower position which I occupied." 



We understand seeds of these magnificent objects of eastern vegetation 

 are daily expected at Kew. How far and how soon these expectations are 

 likely to be realized, remains, of course, a matter of doubt; but this doubt 

 can only refer to time. That seeds of all those to which we now imme- 

 diately refer will be received, is as certain as if the plants were already 

 growing on the banks of the Thames ; and not only those alluded to above, 

 but many others from the same vast continent, not less remarkable for their 

 novelty and beauty than those now under notice. 



Gentlemen and amateurs who are at all interested in the collection and 

 culture of these splendid shrubs and trees of the eastern world, will be de- 

 lighted not less with the book itself, and the manner in which it is got up, 

 than with the interesting matter which it contains. — {Gardeners'' Journal, 

 1849, p. 243.) 



Art. n. Domestic Notices. 



Worcester County Horticultural Society. — The annual meeting of this 

 Society was held on the 19th of April, and the following gentlemen were 

 unanimously chosen officers for the year ensuing : — 

 President. — .John Milton Earle, Worcester. 



Vice Presidents. — Stephen Salisbury, Wm. Workman, Chas. Thurber. 



