A Catalogue of Ericas in the collection of Jllr. Tcicne. 243 



gktiim, Thalictrum divicum; a sparsely flowering grass; two or 

 more species of -S'olidago; Helianthus and Harpalyce; Amphi- 

 carpa, several ferns, and a vigorous young ash, all comprised in 

 so small a space, and each in fine condition! Such a rock-work, 

 of such unique character, would grace any collection, and give a 

 most charming effect to the parterre and border. A rude pile 

 of stones of every mineral and geological character, and often 

 of factitious origin, with shreds of pottens, or corols and shells of 

 ocean birth, may be seen as specimens of a bad taste in our oth- 

 erwise pretty gardens ; while, should not an overgrowth of 

 crowded pets prevent, every vile weed may be found in native 

 luxuriance, taking quiet possession, to the injury of more valuable 

 and tenderer plants. A stone covered with some moss is an ob- 

 ject of importance in itself to merit care, and by some trifling 

 pains many fine varieties might be rendered subservient to the 

 beautifying and adorning of a proper and pleasing addition to the 

 flower garden, the rock-work. We think that error is commit- 

 ted in giving too great depth of soil to such fabrics, and that a 

 thinner and richer pabulum, spread with care on their surface 

 and insinuated into their crevices, would suit the nature of such 

 plants as thrive best under this treatment. This seems to be 

 clearly denoted in the natural structure of precipice and beetling 

 crag; and from what more correct sources could we derive in- 

 struction.'' The picturesque in gardening is not to be studied in 

 books and treatises, but the rather to be sought in the guide and 

 prototype of a native flora and its own peculiar habits. A gi- 

 gantic growth and a precise configuration may be highly desira- 

 ble in the production of floral art; but give us, we say, the lux- 

 uriance of nature and its own free unconstrained beauty, even 

 should its flowers have a few petals the less, or their size be 

 more din)inutive. 



X. 



Art. II. A Catalogue of Ericas (or Jieaths) in the collection 

 of JMr. Towne, Snowhill Street^ Boston. Communicated by 

 Mr. TowNE. 



Agreeable to promise T herewith hand you a list of such spe- 

 cies and varieties of the £rica, as I suppose that I have in my 

 small collection; with the remark, however, that the intolerable 

 practice with venders of plants (o multiply names, is of late so 



