82 Notes and Recollections of a Tow. 



considerably in size, the greenhouse was enlarged the 

 last summer, by adding twenty -five or more feet, so that it 

 is now nearly or quite sixty feet in length, and about seven- 

 teen feet wide ; divided into two parts by a partition ; one 

 being in reality a hot-house for the tropical species. At the 

 time of our visit, this had just been completed, and a square 

 of ground, containing perhaps half an acre, including the 

 house, was to be fenced off for an experimental garden. 



We were fortunate in finding our correspondent, Mr. 

 Breckenridge, at home ; and we had the pleasure of looking 

 over the plants with him. Many of the species are quite 

 rare, and now introduced for the first time. The following 

 is a list of the more prominent plants : — 



^schynanthus new sp., M. grandiflorus, Clerodendron 

 sp., C. speciosissimus, Crinum amabile. Mimosa sensitiva 

 (true.) a small shrub, Gardens Thunberg/a, Strelitzfa 

 spathulata, elongata and^'uncea, Ruell/a sp., Agati grandi- 

 flora, Casuarina indica, or spear tree, from the South Sea 

 Islands. Arduin« grandiflora, Z,aurus sp. from California, 

 Diosma sp., Genista sp., from the Canary Isles, Phlomis 

 Leonurus, Californian rose, single, O'xalis elongatus, Babi- 

 ana rubro cseriilea, and many other bulbs, amaryllises, cri- 

 nums, &c. &c. 



In addition to these, of which there were in some in- 

 stances, duplicate plants, Mr. Breckenridge had collected 

 many fine plants together, and as they were in good health, 

 the collection presented a very fine appearance. Another 

 season, under his attenti\^e care. Ave may look for a better 

 development of the habits and character of many of the 

 more rare and tropical species. Mr. Breckenridge will also, 

 by that time, have multiplied mauA'" of the plants, to such a 

 degree, that they may, if such is the intention of govern- 

 ment, be distributed among nurserymen. 



Of the seeds brought home, a larger part, we believe, lost 

 their vegetative powers. Many of the seeds of Pines, ot 

 California, such as the P. Iiambert/a?i« have been distri- 

 buted, and in some instances, have grown; the ericas, from 

 the Cape, have also proved good ; but the greater portion of 

 miscellaneous seeds, collected at the various places where 

 the Expedition touched, have not vegetated even under the 

 best care ; at least such has been our experience, and the 

 experience of many of our friends. 



From the garden, we visited the institute, and examined 



