392 Massachusetts Horticultural Society. 



the late lamented Mr. Douglas, who explored the Columbia river, 

 the California coast, and part of the Sandwich Islands, where he 

 met with a cruel death. The additions which he made to the flora 

 of this continent are some of the most splendid which ornament our 

 gardens — to him, indeed, are we indebted for nearly one half of the 

 showy annuals which enrich our parterres, the names of which are 

 so familiar that it is unnecessary to mention them here. In honor of 

 his indefatigable exertions, a noble monument has just been complet- 

 ed in Scotland, for the erection of which, nearlj' one rl.ousand no- 

 blemen, amateurs, botanists, and gardeners of Europe, subscribed 

 their names. 



"But it is not to these, or to any other particular acts of the Soci- 

 ety, that we are alone indebted. Its transactions have embraced ev- 

 ery thing which would in any way promote the advancement of hor- 

 ticulture. It has freely and gratuitously disseminated seeds, plants, 

 bulbs, scions, &c., to all parts of the world. There is scarcely a 

 garden the whole length of the Atlantic shore, in which we cannot 

 find some plant, the seeds of which originally came from the London 

 Horticultural Society. Our tables, this evening, which are almost 

 weighed down by the fruit, contain some which was plucked froai 

 the very scions transmitted to our skilful cultivators. 



"To emulate its bright example, and to meet with equal success, is 

 our only wish. I will therefore propose — 



The London Horticultural Society — The great parent of all similar associ- 

 ations throughout the world — whose labors in the noble pursuits of science 

 have strewed our gardens with beautiful flowerS; and enriched our tables 

 with the choicest fruits. 



S. Walker, Chairman of the Committee of Arrangements, was 

 called upon for a sentiment, and gave the following: — 



Flora and Pomona — Twin sisters. "Their ways are -ways of pleasant- 

 ness, and all their paths are peace." 



By Dr. E. Wight, Recording Secretary. Horticultural Societies — May they 

 spread like the vine, and harmonize like its tendrils. 



By Parker Barnes. Our Fair Guests — AH hail ! "Thrice welcome !" Now 

 have we obtained the priceless gem, to crown the many-colored lights of 

 Nature's diadem. 



By John Owen. The Memory of Thaddeus 3Iason Harris — One of the 

 corresponding members of this Society — A man who, for simplicity of man- 

 ners, benevolence of character, and purity of life, as well as for his eminence 

 in natural history, deserves our grateful recollection, on this our first anni- 

 versary since his decease. Well may we apply the lines of Thomson, on 

 Lord William Russell, to our departed friend: — 



"Bring every sweetest flower, and let us strew 

 The grave where Harris lies." 



By John H. Warland, (one of the poets of the evening.) Flowers — In their 

 bloom, the sweetest symbols of innocence and purity in this world — in their 

 decay, the loveliest emblems of a resurrection in the next. 



By Dr. Z. B. Adams. The union of scientific principles n-ith the Horticultural 

 Art — A union which cannot but be auspicious, since within the last few 

 days we have been introduced to such a multitude of its cherry cheeked and 

 healthy offspring. 



