Bmningham Botanical Horticultural Garden. 407 



conceive that the old term tracheae (windpipes) is much more 

 expressive of their nature and offices, than the modern appel- 

 lation of conducting vessels. In fact they may, and probably 

 do, convey air to the internal parts of the whole plant; but 

 the functions which they are chiefly intended to perform 

 appear decidedly to be those of mechanical action and reac- 

 tion: perhaps, also, they may be employed as conductors and 

 distributors of the electric fluid ; for, as every part of the 

 plant, to the remotest termination of its leaves and flowers, is 

 more or less furnished with these fibrous organs, it is not 

 unreasonable to suppose that they are the channels of those 

 ethereal currents, which perhaps primarily sustain, if they do 

 not actually constitute, the principle of vegetable life. 



June 15. 1832. G. J. T. 



Art. IV. Description of a Design made for the Birmingham Hor- 

 ticultural Society, for laying out a Botanical Horticultural Garden, 

 adapted to a particular Situation. By the Conductor. 



Before describing this design it will be proper to state 

 shortly, the nature of the situation, the wishes of the Birming- 

 ham Horticultural Society, and the other given data on which 

 it was composed. 



The situation is at Edgbaston, about two miles to the S. W. 

 from what is esteemed the centre of Birmingham ; the extent 

 is considered to be about sixteen acres, the form of which is irre- 

 gular ; and the surface consists of about an acre, nearly level 

 at one corner, from which the ground spreads out like a fan, 

 in a steep and varied slope ; the lower boundary being u})- 

 wards of 60 ft. below the entrance of the garden. This will 

 be easily understood by a glance at the ^\a.v\,fg. 71., and the 

 section a b. The aspect of this slope is to the IS. W. and 

 S. E. The soil is singularly advantageous : the greater part 

 is a sandy loam ; but there is an acre of peat, and three acres 

 of good medium loam. It is highly probable that there is 

 also gravel at a short distance beneath the surflice. There 

 are two perpetual springs in the ground, and a small water- 

 course forms a part of the boundary. 



The committee, in mentioning to us the objects they had in 

 view, stated that they wished to combine a scientific with an 

 ornamental garden ; and these, to a certain extent, with a 

 nursery and market-garden ; so as, by selling superfluous 

 plants, fruits, and culinary vegetables, to lessen the annual ex- 

 pense of keeping. It was further stated, that, whatever plan 

 might be adopted, it could only be executed by degrees ; as 



p D 1 



