TRANSACTIONS OF THE SOCIETY. 37 



TWELFTH ANNUAL EXHIBITION OF THE SOCIETY. 



September 9th, 10th and 11th 1840. 



The Twelfth Annual Exhibition of the Society was held on Wednesday, 

 Thursday, and Friday, the 9th, 10th, and 11th of September, according to 

 previous notice, at the Society's room. No. 23 Tremont Row. The com- 

 mittee to whom was entrusted the duty of decorating the room and com- 

 pleting the arrangements, executed their task with much taste. 



The Society's room is not large enough, nor sufficiently lofty, to make a 

 grand display ; and, considering the limited space, the committee complet- 

 ed their arrangements with good effect, and with what we tliink a very de- 

 cided improvement upon the last exhibition. In the centre of the room, 

 over the large oval fruit table, was thrown two arches, the bases of which 

 rested upon the two ends and upon the middle of the table. These arches 

 were composed of lattice work, so as to have a light appearance, and were 

 beautifully wreathed with evergreens, roses, splendid dahlias, asters, &c., 

 and presented an elegant appearance. The two opposite corners of the 

 room, from the entrance door, were fitted up with alcoves, also of lattice- 

 work, three in each corner, the middle ones in each considerably larger 

 than the other two. These alcoves were the receptacles of some of the 

 most splendid bouquets which ever graced the room. They were backed 

 by evergreens, and in front festooned by a variety of brilliant flowers, 

 which rendered them objects of great interest, and added much to the coup 

 d'osil which struck the eye upon entering the room. The cornices of the 

 room were also beautifully festooned, which contributed in no small de- 

 gree to the display. 



On the tables on each side of the room were arranged collections of 

 plants, many of them fine specimens. The Chama3'rops humilis, with its 

 pendent fan-like foliage — the Sago palm — the thick and fleshy foliage of 

 the India-rubber tree, (jpicus elastica,) — the myrtle-like blossoms of the 

 tall and graceful Eugenia — the noble leaf of the Banana, intermixed with 

 the grotesque forms of the Cacti, — contributed to make up a fine display. 

 On one side of the room the plants formed a deep and rich back-ground, 

 to the mass of splendid blooms of the dahlia which filled the stands the 

 whole length, and the dark foliage, contrasting with the rainbow hues of 

 this flower, heightened and set off" their appearance with great effect. 



The weather, with the exception of a single shower, was delightful dur- 

 ing the week, and from the great number of strangers who were in the 

 city, the room was crowded with visitors, all of whom seemed to be highly 

 gratified with the display. The fruit, which has been abundant and hand- 

 some this year, was much admired, and the great variety of specimens 

 surprised many of the visitors. On the whole, the exhibition was well 



