General jyotices. 349 



ing one of the gardens laid out in the English style : the dahlias have 

 been taken up; and, in replanting them, we shall follow the directions 

 given by you. You must not think me inconsiderate in saying that we 

 look forward with pleasure for the pelargoniums, and other seeds and 

 roots, which we hear you had intended for us. You know what a scar- 

 city of choice flowers and plants tliere is in Syria, and what a treasure 

 they are here, and how admired by the natives. I have just had some 

 bulbous roots from France of the' double orange lilies, tulips, &c., which 

 I hope to cultivate. You recollect our pelargoniums (those sent over 

 by Mrs. Wingfield) : there is no other sort in the country; nor is there 

 such a flower as the moss rose in Asiatic Turkey." 



While it appears that the splendor of the Orientals at Damuscus is 

 not inferior to many other places in the East, and that the gardens, in 

 point of extent and scenery, may be imposing, yet it is evident that flo- 

 riculture is at a low ebli; while, at the same time, the soil and climate 

 in Syria are such as to induce us to believe, that no country in the world 

 can offer greater facilities for the growth and perfection of a vast 

 number of the most splendid flowers now known, -which may be inferred 

 from what the country in other respects produces; as it is said that "it 

 abounds in oil, corn, and several sorts of fruits, and peas, beans, and 

 all kinds of pulse and garden stuff'," and that there are to be seen " the 

 finest plains and pastures in the world." Should, therefore, this spirit 

 for floriculture at Damascus continue to be indulged, and be fostered 

 by the kind liberality of individuals in Europe, even Syria may shortly 

 become possessed of the beauties of Flora in many of her richest vari- 

 eties. — {Gard. Mag.) 



Heating Stoves by Steam not a neiv Invention. — The following ex- 

 tract is taken from Sir Hugh Piatt's Garden of Eden, edit. 1675, whieh 

 was first published in 1600, under the title of Florals Paradise: — 



" Jl Stove for all Vegetables, good and cheap. And for the keeping 

 of any flowers or plants abroad, as, also, of the seeds thus sown 

 within doors, or any other pots of flowers, or dwarf trees in a tempe- 

 rate heat, with small charge, you may perform the same by hanging a 

 cover of tin or other metal over the vessel wherein you boil your beef, 

 or drive your buck, which, having a pipe in the top, and being made in 

 the fashion of a funnel, may be conveyed into what place of your or- 

 chard or garden you shall think meet; which room, if it were so made 

 as that, at your pleasure, it may become either close or open, you may 

 keep it in the nature of a stove in the night season, or in any other cold 

 weather; and in the summer time, you may use the benefit of the sun- 

 beams, to comfort and cherish your plants or seeds. And this way, if 

 I be not deceived, you may have both orange, lemon, pomgranet trees, 

 yea, peradventure, coloquintida and pepper trees, and such like. The 

 sides of this room, if you think good, may be plastered, and the top 

 thereof may be covered with some strained canvass, to take away at 

 your pleasure. Qucere, if it be best to let the pipe of lead to breath 

 out at the end only, or else at divers small vents which may be made 

 in that part of the pipe which passeth alongst the stove. I fear this is 

 but a meer conceit, because the steam of water will not extend far; but 

 if the cover to your pot be of mettel, and made so close that no air can 

 breath out saving at the pipe, which is sodred or well closed in some 

 part of the cover, then it seemeth probable, this cover may be put on 

 after the pot is scummed." — (Garden of Eden, part ii. p. 17 — lb.) 



Distribution of the order Rosucece in India. — Two other species of 

 Potentilla are found on the Neelgherries, with a Cotoneaster Fragaria, 

 and species of Rubus and Photinia. Of this last genus, species are also 

 found in the mountains above Silhet and Pundua, and extending further 

 north, with a species of Eriobotrya in Nepal; making these genera com- 



