General Notices. 417 



We have remarked that a portion of the grounds remain 

 in their natural state, with no aUeration save the walks 

 which have been cut through, and the planting of a lot of 

 Scotch firs ; of these we noticed quite a number, perhaps 

 two feet high, and doing well. Mr. Bates informed us he 

 set them out a year ago, merely cutting a hole with the 

 spade, lifting the sod, putting in the plant, and replacing the 

 earth just as before setting out. In a few years these will 

 get up five or six feet, and will then entirely change the 

 appearance of the grounds. The Scotch fir is a fine tree, 

 perfectly hardy, and will flourish in the bleakest situation. 



Other improvements are in contemplation. The approach 

 to the house is to be lengthened and more land added on 

 each side so as to give greater extent. When these are 

 completed it will be one of the finest seaside residences in 

 the neighborhood. 



MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. 



Art. I. General JVotices. 



Botanical Noivienclature. — When we drew attention, a fewweeks since, 

 to the state of botanical nomenclature, we suggested that our readers should 

 favor us with their opinions upon the propriety of making some clianges in 

 it. We did so, not from entertaining the least doubt as to what the right 

 course is, but for the sake of eliciting such expressions of opinion as would 

 put us in possession of the views of those who are alone interested in the 

 question. So far as mere technical science is concerned, the language of 

 botany is good enough, for botanists understand it. The real question at 

 issue is, whether it is adapted to familiar use ? and, if not, whether it can- 

 not be so adapted without any violent interference with usage or scientific 

 convenience? Very few men are or can be professed botanists ; multitudes 

 wish for such an acquaintance with botany as an important and highly inter- 

 esting branch of science demands of the well informed ; and there is a very 

 large class of persons whose pursuits compel them to talk in the language 

 peculiar to it. But this language is entirely foreign to English ears and 

 English taste — uncouth, inelegant, and even barbarous. To remedy this, 

 and to place it in such a condition that it may be an object of attraction to 

 the educated multitude, as well as to a few studious philosophers, has for 

 many years been the aim of ourselves and others. Nor has our motive 

 been even limited thus narrowly ; on the contrary, we believe that it and 

 VOL. XVI. NO. IX. 53 



