Miscellaneous Litelligence. \57 



ploying such a powerful steam-engine as to throw a column of 

 water 6 in. in diameter from 60 ft. to 80 ft. high. The steam-en- 

 gine might be placed a good way off, in any mews or back street ; 

 and, as the same water would be thrown up that fell down, there 

 would be very little waste or expense in that way. One or two 

 public-spirited individuals, in any of our squares, might easily 

 get his neigbours to join in carrying such an idea into execution. 

 Mr. Curtis is also in favour of places of exercise and recreation 

 in the neighbourhood of all towns. He suggests the formation of a 

 public botanic garden for London, in such a situation as the centre 

 of the Regent's Park; and the throwing the gardens of the squares 

 open at stated times to the public. Railroad travelling is men- 

 tioned as highly congenial to health ; and he quotes from Dr. James 

 Johnson's Mcdico-Chinirgical Review to the following effect: — 

 " Railroad travelling possesses many peculiarities, as well as ad- 

 vantages, over the common modes of conveyance. The velocity 

 with which the train moves through the air is very refreshing, 

 even in the hottest weather, where the run is for some miles. 

 The vibratory, or rather oscillatory, motion communicated to 

 the human frame is very different from the swinging and jolting 

 motions of the stage-coach, and is productive of more salutary 

 effects. It equalises the circulation, promotes digestion, tran- 

 quillises the nerves (after the open country is gained), and often 

 causes sound sleep during the succeeding night; the exercise of 

 this kind of travelling being unaccompanied by that lassitude, 

 aching, and fatigue, which, in weakly constitutions, prevents the 

 nightly repose. The railroad bids fair to be a powerful remedial 

 agent in many ailments to which the metropolitan and civic in- 

 habitants are subject." (p. 134.) 



MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. 



Art. I. Restrospective Criticism. 



Shriveling of Grapes. — In p. 87. 1. 18,, after the words " extent of the 

 disease," read " (sometimes only a few berries are infected, sometimes nearly 

 the whole in the bunch), continued to deepen in colour, and gradually 

 become black ; the others (the diseased ones) cease to colovir, and remain of 

 a brownish red tin^e." — G. A. Lake. Feb. 1838. 



Art. II. Queries and Answers. 



Effects of Frost on certain Species ofRrlca. — One of your correspondents, 

 J. B. A. (p.l 11 . of the present Volume), has paid me a compliment, by wishing 

 to know my opinion concerning the destruction of the stems of some iieaths 

 in Kew Gardens by the late severe frost. It is an effect wliich I have often 

 noticed, and had to deplore, in my time. It is remarkable, that our intelligent 

 and worthy friend, Mr. M'Nab of the Edinburgh Botanic Garden, put forth 

 this very circumstance (in a small pamphlet published by him some years 



