. 82—1846.] 
THE GARDENERS' 
CHRONICLE. 
535 
greenhouse shrub, with sj 
Was stated to have been raised from seeds received 
om Mr. W. Lobb, who found it in the Organ moun- 
tains, at an elevation of 6000 feet. The flowers con- 
tinue open for three or four days. Of fruit, Mr. Spencer, 
gr. tothe Marquis of Lansdowne, at Bowood, sent amag- 
nificent Melon, said to be the true Ispahan. It measured 
93 in. in length, and 6 in. in diam., weighed 13 Ibs. 7oz, 
and was of the finest possible quality. It was stated to 
We been grown in a common brick pit, without any fire 
heat, and the same plants were mentioned to be each 
Producing 3 or 4 similar fruit. "Three Providence Pine- 
Apples were sent by Mr. Turnbull, gr. to the Duke of 
Marlborough, at Blenheim, which were stated to be 
the produce of 2} year old plants, grown in pots. They 
Weighed respectively 11 Ibs. 8 oz., 11 Ibs., and 9 lbs., 
the heaviest measured 22 inches in circumference, and 
the number of pips was ll. They were handsome, well 
formed fruit, with moderate sized crowns, Final 
f. James Cowie, gr. to the Earl of Radnor, Coleshill 
House, Berkshire, sent a Cabul Melon weighing about 
74 lbs, which had been raised in a pit heated by fer- 
Menting material. 
S 
Reviews. 
A History of Inventions, Discoveries and Origins. B; 
ohn Beckmann. Fourth Edit., carefully revised 
and enlarged by W. Francis, P.L.D., F.L.S. ; and 
J. W. Griffith, M.D., F.L.S. Voll. 8vo. Bohn. 
A Book so well known and universally esteemed as that 
of Beckmann requires no editorial introduction. It is 
at once among the most uggful and entertaining works 
that have proceeded from the German school. So far 
as concerns the antiquarian research which is necessary 
for illustrating the origin of inventions, Beckmann is 
Said to have almost exhausted his subject; but in 
other respects there was room for the application of 
More modern knowledge than his own. The present 
editors have undertaken to bring the subject down to 
the present day (Beckmann died in 1811), and to make 
Such alterations in the language and opinions of the 
author as the advance of science has rendered indis- 
Pensible. Better men could not be found, and the 
result of their labour is a work possessing all the merit 
9f the original, none of its defects, and many important 
features of its own. In fact it supersedes the old 
editions, 2 
An extract or two from the article on Saffron must 
Serve as a specimen of the work :— 
“That the Latin word Crocus signified the same plant 
Which we atpresent call Saffron, and which, in botany, still 
Tetains the ancient name, has,as far as I know, never 
been doubted ; and indeed I know no reason why it 
should, however mistrustful I may be when natural ob- 
{eee are given out for those which formerly had the 
ike names. The moderns often apply ancient names to 
things very different from those which were known 
under them by the Greeks and the Romans: but what 
We read in ancient authors concerning Crocus agrees in 
every respect with our Saffron, and can scarcely be ap- 
Plied to any other vegetable production, Crocus was a 
ulbous plant, which grew wild in the mountains. 
There were two. species of it, one of which flowered in 
Spring, and the other in autumn. The flowers of the 
latter, which appeared earlier than the green leaves 
that remained through the winter, contained those small 
threads or filaments which were used as a medicine and 
a paint, and employed also for seasoning various kinds 
of food.” 5 
* What in the ancient use of Saffron is most dis- 
Cordant with our taste at present, is the employing itas 
à perfume. Not only were halls, theatres, and courts, 
through which one wished to diffuse an agreeable smell; 
Strewed with this plant, but it entered into the composi- 
lon of many spirituous extracts, which retained the 
Same scent; and these costly smelling waters were 
Often made to flow in small streams, which spread 
abroad their much-admired odour. Luxurious people 
even moistened or filled with them all those things with 
Which they were desirious of surprising their guests in 
an agreeable manner, or with whicli they ornamented 
their apartments, From Saffron, with the addition of 
Wax and other ingredients, the Greeks as well as the 
*mans prepared also scented salves, which they used 
1n the same manner as our ancestors their balsams, 
“Notwithstanding the fondness which the ancients 
Showed for the smell of Saffron, it does not appear that 
n modern times it was ever much esteemed. As a 
Perfume, it would, undoubtedly, be as little relished at 
Present as the greater part of the dishes of Apicius— 
fricassees of sucking puppies, sausages, and other parts 
of Swine, which one could not even mention with de- 
Sency in genteel company ; though it certainly has the 
Same scent which it had in the time of Ovid, and 
although our organs of smelling are in nothing different 
from those of the Greeks and the Romans. From parts of 
lé world to them unknown, we have, however, ob- 
tained perfumes which far excel any with which they 
Were acquainted, e have new flowers, or, at least, 
More perfect kinds of flowers long known, which, im- 
Proved cither by art or by accident, are superior in 
Smell to all those in the gardens of the Hesperides, of 
Onis and Alcinous, so much celebrated. We have 
ect the art of mixing perfumes with oils and salts, 
ik Such a manner as to render them more volatile, 
dai ger and more pleasant; and we know how to ob- 
pel essences such as the ancient voluptuaries never 
* elt, and for which they would undoubtedly have given 
P their Saffron, The smelling-bottles and perfumes 
le; 
Which are often presented to our beauties, certainly far 
evergreen leaves. It 
excel that promised by Catullus to a friend, with the | 
assurance that his mistress had received it from Venus 
and her Cupids, and that when he smelt it he would 
wish to become all nose : 
Nam unguentum dabo quod mez puelle 
Donarunt Veneres Cupidinesque, 
uod tu quom olfaeies, deos rogabis, 
Totum ut te faciant, Fabulle, nasum. 
“Tt cannot, however, be denied that both taste and | 
smell depend very much upon imagination. We know 
that many articles of food, as well as spices, are more 
valued on account of their scarcity and  eostliness 
than they would otherwise be. Hence things of less 
value, which approach near to them in quality, are 
sought after by those who cannot afford to purchase 
them; and thus a particular taste or smell becomes 
fashionable. Brandy and tobacco were at first recom- 
mended as medicines ; they were therefore much used, 
and by continual habit people at length found a plea- 
sure in these potent and almost nauseating articles of 
luxury. Substances which gratify the smell become, 
nevertheless, like the colour of cloths, oft unfashionable 
when they grow too common. Certain spiceries, in 
which our ancestors delighted, are unsupportable to 
their descendants, whose nerves are weak and more deli- 
cate ; and yet many of the present generation have ac- 
eustomed themselves to strong sme'ls of various kinds, 
by gradually using them more and more, till they have 
at length become indispensable wants. Some have taken 
snuff rendered so sharp by powdered glass, salts, anti- 
mony, sugar of lead, and other poisonous drugs, that the 
olfactory nerves have been rendered callous, and entirely 
destroyed by it. 
That Saffron was as much used in seasoning dishes 
as for a perfume, appears from the oldest work on 
cookery which has been handed down to us, and which 
is ascribed to Apicius. Its use in this respect has been 
long continued, and in many countries is still more pre- 
valent than physicians wish it to be. Henry Stephens 
says, ‘Saffron must be put into all Lent soups, sauces, 
and dishes: without Saffron we cannot have well. 
cooked Peas,’ 
* It may readily be supposed that the great use made 
of this plant in cookery must have induced people to 
attempt to cultivate it in Europe ; and, in my opinion, 
it was first introduced into Spain by the Arabs, as may 
be conjectured from its name, which is Arabic, or 
rather Persian. Spain it was, according to 
every appearance, carried afterwards to France, per- 
haps to Albigeois, and thence dispersed into various 
other parts. Some travellers also may, perhaps, have 
brought bulbs of this plant from the Levant. We are 
at least assured that a pilgrim brought from the Levant 
to England, under the reign of Edward II., the first 
root of Saffron, which he had found means to conceal 
in his staff, made hollow for that purpose. At what 
period this plant began to be cultivated in Germany I do 
not know ; but that this was first done in Austria, in 
1579, is certainly false. Some say that Stephen von 
Hausen, a native of Nuremberg, who about that time 
accompanied the imperial amb: dor to C inopl 
brought the first bulbs to Vienna, from the neighbour- 
hood of Belgrade. This opinion is founded on the ac- 
count of Clusius, who, however, does not speak of the 
autumnal Saffron used as a spice, but of an early sort, 
esteemed on account of the beauty of its flowers. 
Clusius has collected more species of this plant than 
any of his predecessors, and has given an account by 
whom each of them was first made known.” 
Papers of the Ray Society. 
any. 1846. 8vo. 
Tug publie is much indebted to the officers of the Ray 
Society for this volume, which contains translations of 
some very valuable papers, almost unknown in this 
eountry. Those who have not attended to the state of 
natural history among the Germans, can have no idea 
of the elaborate manner in which they work out what- 
ever they undertake to elueidate, how profound are 
heir hes, how inexh ible their industry, how 
admirable their observations, As vegetable anatomists 
they rank among the highest of modern observers. 
Their fault is their prolixity, they state everything in 
extenso. But this isa gain to the student, however incon- 
venient it may be to the butterflies of science ; for it is 
in some measure a guarantee that nothing has been 
neglected. This circumstance, however, and the unfor- 
tunate fact that so far as botany is concerned, a large 
proportion of those who in this country occupy them- 
selves with the science, prefer to skim its surface, and 
to amuse themselves with the gay trifles that float there, 
renders the dissertations of German naturalists un- 
suited for the purposes of booksellers, We are 
therefore, the more beholden to the Ray Society for 
enabling those who wish to master the depths of bo- 
tanical investigation to do so. 
The volume before us contains Zuecarini's views of 
the morphology of Conifers ; Grisebach’s report on the 
ibuti to botanical g hy in the year 1842 ; 
Negeli’s important views as to the nature of cell-forma- 
tion, the keystone of vegetable physiology, and Link’s re- 
port on the progress of botany in the years 1842and 1843, 
The volume contains nearly 500 pages, 7 plates, and is in- 
dispensable to all botanists who do not read German, or 
who have not access to the original papers. 
Garden Memoranda. : 
Bonn, on the Rhine, July 11, 1846.—The Botanic 
Garden of the University of Bonn appeared to be in a 
very satisfactory state in every respect, and well worthy 
Reports and Papers on 
the high character of the Professor of Botany, who so 
ably superintends it. In the garden, part of an old 
monastic establishment, with a large moat partly sur- 
rounding it, were some splendid trees, the advantage of 
the clear air and sunshine, such as is alone enjoyed on 
the continent, beiug very conducive to a high state of 
perfection. ‘There is here a long range of greenhouses 
and stoves, with a large well-kept garden in front. The 
Palms and other plants in one stove were very closely 
packed together, and many had their leaves tied up to 
make more room, the house being full and cool ; there. 
were some delightful specimens of Ferns. Of the 
plants in flower, there was a pretty collection of Cleome, 
especially C. Eekloniana and C. speciosa. Nympheea 
ceerulea, in water, scented the house ; and along with it 
was Limnocharis Humboldtii. There were several 
plants of Achimenes alba ; and A. longiflora was grown 
in bowls or flower pots, and suspended—so that the 
flowers hung down the sides all around, and had a very 
pretty effect. Tradescantia zebrina, with its small lilac 
flowers, also formed a pretty pendent plant. In the 
open garden, a lovely spot, were Solanum imperiale, 
and S. laciniatum, planted out, each about 6 feet high 3 
the latter in full flower. ^ Brugmansias, &c., were 
planted out in the borders. Glycine sinensis had still a 
few fine flowers on it, of a darker hue than those pro- 
duced in England. There was an abundance of noble 
Orange trees, Aloes, &c., and most of the greenhouse 
plants were arranged in round clumps, the pots being 
plunged in sánd up to the rim. The moat which sur- 
rounds the buildings offers a fine opportunity for grow- 
ing a collection of bog and water plants, which seemed 
to be numerous. — R. J. B. 
Miscellaneous. 
Mr. Hariweg's Mission.—We are able to announce 
the depart: f Mr. Hartweg from Mazatlan for Cali- 
fornia, Admiral Sir George Seymour having received 
him on board H. Ms ship Juno. We also mention, 
with great satisfaetion, that the enlightened Govern- 
ment of the United States has issued orders to 
the officers in command of cruisers on the coast of 
Mexico to give Mr. Hartweg every facility in their 
power, notwithstanding the blockade, 
Botanical Lectureship.— We learn that Mr. Quekett 
has just resigned the botanical lectureship at the Lon- 
don Hospital, and that a good successor is required. 
On the Death of Trees caused by the Leakage of Gas- 
pipes in the Soil.—M. Pepin states that several of his 
colleagues had announced, in 1842 and 1843, that the 
mortality of trees on the Boulevards, and elsewhere, at 
Paris, was caused by the escape of gas, which had dif- 
fused itself throughout the soil to a distance of many 
yards from the pipes. M. Dupare, member of the 
Société d'Hortieulture, was the first to remark the 
effect on the Elms along the exterior Boulevard, be- 
tween the Barrière de l'Etoile and that of Roule. Sub- 
sequently, M. Neumann remarked that the trees planted 
on the Boulevard de l'Hópital, and those of the Place 
dela Bastille faded in q of thei duction of 
as. He laid before the Society some roots and stumps 
of trees, and likewise samples of the soil taken from the 
trenches where the roots had been cut. On this occa- 
sion M. Pepin thought it probable that the gas was not 
the sole eause of the injury ; and that the perishing of 
the Elms might be owing to the liquids from tan-yards, 
&c., running into the ditehes between the trees; in 
short, that the ehemiealageneies produced by the stag- 
nation of theseliquids were the primary cause of the 
mortality amongst the trees, But he has since assured 
himself that such is not the case, and tbat the real cause 
was the escape of gas, the effects of which had been 
latterly but too apparent. The following year many 
Syeamore trees (Acer pseudo-platanus), planted on the 
quay of St. Bernard, were deprived of vitality, at 
various periods of the season, by the penetration of the 
gas which escaped from the pipes. It is stated that the 
trees planted near the Champ des Batailles, at Brest, and 
also those on the Cours, have been partly destroyed 
from the same cause. Those in the garden of the Café 
Ture, situated on the Boulevard du Temple, at Paris, 
are in a similar condition. M. Pepin is of opinion that 
the only remedy is to build a brick wall between the 
pipes and the roots of the trees.— Revue Hortieole. [It 
may be observed that the gas will readily pass through 
ordinary brick-work. Glazed brick, laid in cement, 
would be best. The ends of the pipes, where they fit 
into each other, should be thoroughly cleaned of the 
oxide with which they are coated before the lead is run 
in, so as the latter may be rammed into close contact 
with the surface of the iron. This can never be the 
case whilst a body of rust intervenes. Rust is a sub- 
stance pervious to moisture and gas, and these supply 
|the means by which additional combinations with the 
| iron are formed, When iron bars are perfectly clean, 
| when batted with lead, no moisture reaches the surface 
of the iron so inclosed ; and that portion never rusts, 
although the lead is only in close mechanical contact with 
its surface. The propriety of tinning or galvanising the 
ends of the pipes may be suggested ; and if this were 
effected the joints could then be actually soldered.]— | 
ee 
Calendar of Operations. 
(For the ensuing Week.) 
Preparation for Winter.—1t seems rather early to 
sound this note ; I must, however, remind the readers 
of the Chronicle that no time should be lost in put- 
ting all houses, pits, &c., in thorough repair. The glaz- 
ing should be now well seen to; and painting where 
needed, With regard to ‘the interior of houses, the 
