194 Foreign J^Totices. 



In order that those of our readers, ^vho are selecting dahlias for 

 planting, may see what new kinds are principally enumerated m the 

 English catalogues, we give the following: — 



Lady Dartmouth Beauty of Dulwich 



Marchioness of Tavistock Yellow Perfection 



Princess Victoria Lavinia 



Conqueror of Europe King Otho 



Mary Ruby 



Mary Queen of Scots Suffolk Hero 



Dutchess of Sutherland Blandina 



Juliet Glory of the West 



Rosa superba Napoleon 



Marquis of Northampton King of Beauties 



Mrs. Broadwood Shakspeare 



Purple Perfection Aurora 



Sir Henry Fletcher Addison 



Sulphurea elegans Beauty of Bedford 



Triumjjhant Champion 



Warminster Rival" Gem, &c. Stc. 



These are only a few of the very finest. Others exceedingly beau- 

 tiful are to be had at less prices than the above. — Ed. 



GUATIMALA. 



The Banana. — The following interesting account of the banana we copy 

 from a paper in the HorticuUuralJournaL contributed by Mr. Mackenzie. 

 It is a continuation of his article on the Vegetable and Forest Treasures 

 of Guatimala. The banana is one of the most delicious fruits, when 

 eaten in its ripe state; but it is rarely or never found so in this country, 

 as the fruit is picked green, in order that it may not be over ripe when 

 it arrives here. All the bananas may be made to ripen good croi)s in 

 our stoves; but as yet few gentlemen have attempted to grow the plants. 

 A new species called M. Cavendishi?', has been fruited in England, by 

 Mr. Paxton, which contained upwards of one hundred and twenty-five 

 fine fruit in one cluster. The plants have a- noble appearance, with 

 their tall stems, and broad and stately foliage, and are highly ornamen- 

 tal, from the oriental aspect which they convey to the stove. The 

 plants are easily cultivated, and when once in a collection, there is not 

 much danger of losing them. The various uses for which the fruit may 

 be employed, render it one of the most valuable tropical plants: — 



"Of the species of fruits, which are numerous, delicate, and whole- 

 some, ihe plantain deserves particular notice — it is, in Escuintla, called 

 Gordo; but in other provinces banana, in order to distinguish it from 

 the other kinds of plantain. This fruit is preferred by the natives, on 

 account of its medicinal qualities, to manjr others that are more com- 

 mon and well known; and it ranks higher in general estimation, as re- 

 gards taste and flavor, to many, even to the anana or pinc-apple. In 

 delicacy of flavor, indeed, it is superior to the pine, the guanabana, 

 niul the chicosapote or medlar; in beauty of color to the scarlet sapote; 

 and is, perhaps, more extensively useful and used than any other fruit 

 wliatever. This kind of plantain forms a principal article in the traffic 

 of the province of Escuintla. A description of it is to be foimd in Al- 

 CEDo's Vocabulary of the provincial words of America; but some of its 

 various uses may be here noted down. In the first place, then, it fur- 

 nishes a very substantial food; each fruit yielding a large portion of nu- 

 tritive matter, without skin, stone, or other inedible part; and poor per- 



