298 NOTES. 



medicinal plant (even R. vnchdatimi and R. conipactuni), at 

 first answered admirably, but soon afterwards deteriorated. 

 It remains then to await the issue of the further cultivation 

 of this species hitherto propagated in but a few gardens, 

 and in single specimens. But even admitting that we now 

 possess two kinds Avhich furnish excellent Rhubarb, the 

 preference must still be given to R. palmatuvi, since its 

 genuineness as the parent plant of the Kiakhta Rhubarb 

 has now been established beyond all doubt, seeing that its 

 fame dates back" to the times of the Grecian and Arabian 

 doctors, and that its earlier cultivators have decided, that, 

 with careful treatment, its root affords an admirable drug. 

 Let us hold firmly to R. palmatiim, and take care that its 

 wholesale cultivation does not die out, now that a quantity 

 of freshly imported seed renders it once more practicable. 

 Should the R. officinale prove to be an equally valuable 

 production, we have the choice between the two, unless it 

 be found that one plant thrives better in a different climate 

 to the other. As ornamental plants, both have certainly a 

 future. 



THE MANUL (FELLS MANUL OF PALLAS). 

 P. 187. 



This species is intermediate between the cats and the 

 lynxes, but its tail is much longer than that of the lynx 

 and its ears are not pencillated. It is said to possess one 

 tearing tooth fewer than the typical cats ; but still it belongs 

 to the genus Felis. In its general habits it differs from all 

 its congeners, being found in bleak and exposed places, 

 generally among rocks, where it seeks its food by chase 

 rather than by stratagem. That food consists chiefly of 

 hares and other rodent animals ; but, true to the habits of 

 the genus, it preys during the night. It does not climb 

 trees or enter forests, and, according to all the accounts we 

 have of it, it differs greatly from the rest of the genus. It 

 combines with the characters of the cats and lynxes some 

 at least of the habits of the fox.' 



' ' British Cyclopaedia.' 



