120 BOTANICAL NOTES^ NOTICES^ AND QUERIES. [May. 



is stranger than fiction : a tree equalling the dome of St. Paul's in dia- 

 meter, and 100 feet higher than its ball and cross, is a production worthy 

 of the grand country in which it had its beginning and development. 



LiNN^AN Society. 



Note on the Cultivation of Mosses ; by the Rev. H. H. Higgins. — 

 The author's bryarium consisted of a glass case, four feet six inches long, 

 twenty-two inches from back to front, and twenty-six inches high, fitted 

 with shelves, and having two doors, one of which was generally left 

 only partly closed. The plants were kept in separate pots, and never 

 moved from the case, but kept in the shade and frequently watered with a 

 syringe. Some care was taken to procure suitable kinds of soil, but in 

 most instances soil had been but sparingly used, the pots being more 

 than half filled with drainage. 



In this biyarium about 240 species had been planted; and the paper 

 consisted chiefly of notes of the result. Among many instances of failure 

 or but partial success, the author mentioned some instances in which the 

 residts had been satisfactory, among which were the following: — Grimmia 

 pulvinata proved a charming little plant for cultivation, but required to 

 be kept rather dry. Aulacomnion paludre was another most desirable 

 kind for cultivation, growing freely, the tall psendopodia being both 

 abundant and interesting. Leptohrynm pyriforme is one that should be 

 excluded, as it became a perfect pest, growing everywhere but in its 

 own pot. Bryicm nutans and corneum both pi'oduced their fruit freely. 

 Physocondt)'ium pyriforme fruited so densely as completely to hide the 

 leaves. The Bartramias were stated to be on the whole the best and 

 most satisfactory Mosses for cultivation ; nothing of the kind, observes 

 the author, can exceed them in beauty of colour, growth, and fruit. The 

 species of Fissidens were also gems for cultivation ; and it was mentioned, 

 that the author's plant of F. adiantoides was a portion of a specimen which 

 has been in cultivation for twenty years. LesJcea sericea and poly car pa 

 were other very beautiful and suitable species for cultivation. The Hyp- 

 nums were found to be of straggling habit, and seemed to have their vita- 

 lity chiefly confined to their extremities, for if cut off, the plant will not 

 throw up fresh shoots from the root, but perishes ; while the extremities, 

 if planted, make vigorous growth. Finally, Hookeria lucens proved to be 

 alike beautiful in winter and summer, never changing or losing its delicate 

 freshness. These, it appeared from the author's experience, were the most 

 desirable Mosses for cultivation. 



BOOKS EECEIVED FOE REVIEW. 



Maoris Index Filicum ; Fart the Second. 



Communications have been received from 



E. M. Attwood; W. P.; G. E. Hunt; Delta; John Windsor, E.L.S. ; 

 George Jordan; C. A. C. ; Dr. W. Lauder Lindsay; Henry J. Chm-ch ; 

 Sydney Beisley ; W. H. Wilkin ; George Davies. 



