43—1846.] 
THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. zu 
is.a good sample of the result whieh White's work has 
assisted in eliciting from one who is thoroughly imbued 
with a love of the works of nature. Mr. Jenyns has 
long been well known as a strictly scientifie author, and 
here he shows himself to be much more than. a. closet 
naturalist only. 
We say this without intending to east the slightest 
New Garden Plants. 
49. FonsvrHIA VIRIDISSIMA. Green-leaved Forsythia. 
Hardy? Shrub. (Oliveworts.*) China. 
A bush witha very rich gr lour and hand foliag 
looking something like a Viburnum, was received from 
Mr. Fortune some time before he returned from his 
mission ; but in the absence of flowers it eould not be 
reflection upon those whose want of opp ies 
does not permit them to make observations òn 
the habits of animals, or the conditions under which 
plants flourish in their native localities. We entirely 
agree with what Mr. Jenyns has remarked of the r 
tive occupations of in-door and out-of-door naturalists 
age 8). “ It is absurd for either of these two classes 
of naturalists to throw contempt and-censure upon each 
other, as sometimes has been the case ; seeing that they 
both work together for the good of science, and labour 
in à common cause, although in different ways.” There 
can be no doubt that if those persons who are ina 
position for noticing such phenomena as Mr. Jenyns has 
here recorded, were only to co-operate systematically in 
registering their observations, much important informa- 
tion would be very speedily accumulated, which might 
be brought to bear on a variety of questions in natural 
history, and more especially serve to illustrate many 
unsettled points in meteorology. It is with reference 
to this department of natural science that Mr. Jenyns 
has devoted a portion of the present work to noticing 
and illustrating a seheme which has been propounded 
by Mons. Quetelet, according to which (page 349), “a 
number of. scientific persons have agreed to undertake 
s regular system of observations in meteorology an 
natural history, with an especial view to certain im 
portant questions connected with climate and animal 
and vegetable physiology." It is by comparing the 
times at which the periodie returns of certain pheno- 
mena recur in different quarters of the world, that a 
hope may be fairly entertained of some light being 
thrown upon those more subtle climateric iufluences 
which hitherto have eluded research. Who knows 
whether the influences under which the Potato and some 
other plants have. lately suffered, may not be rendered 
appreciable when the suggested * isochronic” lines of 
flowering, fruiting, &e., shall have been ascertained in 
the manner that is here proposed? 
E 
a 
Let the mere collector turn to the 47th page of the 
“Calendar of Periodic Phenomena,” which Mr. Jenyns 
has drawn up from his personal observations, carried on 
residence in the same locality, and he 
With respect to the body of this work we strongly 
al perusal, whether the intro- 
led or not with its readers 
sufficiently to persuade them to tura observers. 
where such facts might appear too trivial for notice. 
hey'may be calculated, very p dly, to throw 
light upon some of the most abstruse speculations con- 
cerning the fundamental prineiples-upon which created 
beings have been formed; and according to which they 
should be systematically classified. It is strange how 
many popular errors and ignorances ‘prevail, even con- 
cerning many facts which day by day present them- 
selves before the eyes of those who witness but do not 
heed them. The very first ‘sentence of Mr. Jenyns’ 
Observations on Quadrupeds ” will suffice in illustra- 
tion of this remark (p. 49.) “A farmer, who had lived 
all his life among stock, was not aware, till I drew his 
attention to the fact, that horses ‘and oxen rise from 
the ground differently. There isa slight difference in 
theiramode of lying down, the horse not generally re- 
maining so long upon his khees as the ox, before bring- 
ing the rest of his frame to the ground. But in getting 
up, the horse invariably rises first upon his fore-legs 
before rising upon his hind. The:ox, on the contrary, 
rises first upon the hind, and often remains upon his 
knees some few seconds until his hind legs are straight- 
ened. These differences probably prevail throughout 
the'two Cuvierian groups of Paehydermata and Rumi- 
nantia, to which the horse and ox respectively belong.” 
Our limits prevent our enlarging further upon the sub- 
ject, but we recommend the work to the perusal of all 
naturalists, as a memento of what they ought not to 
neglect in the midst of their systematic studies ; and to 
others, as a testimony that there is in observing Nature 
something more refreshing to the mind, more healthful 
to'the soul, more truly man-worthy, than ‘the ordinary 
follies and frivolities with which so many occupy their 
lives, “It is, indeed,” (as Mr. J. remarks, p. 18), 
“Jamentable to think, as an excellent author (“Lucas 
on Happiness’) has observed, how many waste a whole 
life without ever being once well awake in it, passing 
through the world like a heedless traveller, without 
making any reflections or observations, without any 
design or purpose beseeming a man,” 
Dried sp have now supplied the 
deficiency, and proved it to be a new species of the 
genus Forsythia, of which one only had been previous 
known to botanists. That plant, the Forsythia suspensa- 
of Vall, was called a Lilac by Thunberg, who thus per- 
eoived4its natural affinity, but was not happy in his 
identification of it, for although its leaves are often pin- 
nated, yet its flowers grow in pairs from the axils of 
fallen leaves, instead of forming terminal panicles. It 
is described as a very fine shrub, with deep yellow 
flowers, and growing from 8 to 12 feet high. Aceord- 
ing to Siebold and Zueearini, who have figured it, there 
are two varieties, one with weeping branches, and the other 
with upright ones ; both are said. to have been obtained 
from China by the Japanese, who plant them along with 
evergreens for the sake of obtaining, from the varied 
appearance produced in the spring by this plant, a 
good background to the Peaches, Apricots, and Camel- 
lias, that blossom at the same time. This species is 
said to have been brought alive to Holland in 1833, by 
M. Verkerk Pistorius. (See Siebold and Zucearini, 
Flora Japonica, vol. 1, p. 14.) The species obtained 
by Mr. Fortune is very distinet from the original For- 
sythia. Its leaves do not appear even to be pinnated, 
and instead of having an ovate form, they are strictly 
oblong, or oblong lanceolate. The branches are four- 
cornered instead of being terete, and are perfectly erect. 
The ealyx is shorter and more membranous, and the 
flowers are smaller. It is no doubt a very different 
plant, and may be expected to become a great favourite 
when the specimens in the Garden are old enough to 
flower ; for then the branches will be found to be 
loaded, before the leaves, with yellow flowers as large 
as those of Chimonanthus grandiflorus. In its present 
state it forms a compact deep green bush, with oblong 
opposite leaves serrated near the point, but perfectly 
free from indentations below the middle. They emit a 
slight balsamie odour, and from their smoothness, want 
of lustre; and deep rich tint, are very handsome. The 
following.are Mr. Fortune's observations on this species: 
—“ This is a deciduous shrub with very dark green 
leaves, which are prettily serrated at the margin. It 
grows about 8 or 10 feet high in the north of China, 
and sheds its leaves in autumn. It then remains dor- 
mant like any of the deciduous shrubs of Europe, but 
is remarkable for the number of large prominent buds 
which are scattered along the young stems produced 
the summer before. Early in spring these buds, which 
are flower-buds, gradually unfold themselves, and pre- 
sent a profusion of bright yellow blossoms all over the 
shrub, which is highly ornamental. I first discovered 
it growing in the same garden with Wiegela rosea, 
which, I have said in another place, belonged to a Chi- 
nese Mandarin, on the island of Chusan, and was gene- 
rally called the * Grotto Garden? by the English. Like 
the Wiegela it isa great favourite with the Chinese, 
and is generally grown in all the gardens of the rich in 
the north of China. | L afterwards found it wild amongst 
the mountains of the interior in the province of Cheki- 
ang, where I thought it even more ornamental in its 
natural state amongst the hedges than when cultivated 
in the fairy gardens of the Mandarins. In England it 
is probable that it will be nearly hardy, but I advise 
the possessors of it in the first place to keep it in the 
greenhouse, and to plant it on the conservative wall 
until its constitution is proved in the Garden of the 
Society next winter. Itis a free growing bush, and is 
easily inereased by cuttings or layers.” —Journal of 
Hort. Soc. 
Garden Memoranda. 
Gordon Castle, the Seat of His Grace the Duke of 
Richmond, Morayshire.—This princely residence is 
situated on the fertile banks of the Spey, about 3 miles 
from the sea. In entering by the village of Fochabers 
the traveller is delighted with the scenery 5 the Spey- 
bridge to the west, and Mil's new Free School (a 
splendid building) to the east, are prominent objects in 
the landscape. ‘The great entrance near Fochabers has 
a fine effect, and the approaches and walks-are mag- 
nificent. The forests and park around wore exuberant 
verdure, many of the trees being of great size aud sym- 
metry. The Duchess Lime-tree, in particular, mea 
sures 26 feet in circumference, From the front of the 
Castle there is a long promenade walk, upwards of 20 
feet in breadth, leading to a noble flight of stairs which 
lands the visitor beneath a large spreading Elm, orna 
mented below with various-coloured pebbles. A line 
of composition vases, 5 to 6 feet in height, blooming 
with scarlet Geraniums, adorns the sides of this walk, 
and their large square pedestals are beautifully varied 
with innumerable devices, &e., all of which have iue 
most beautiful features of Gordon Castle. The Italian 
Flower Garden, about half a mile from the Castle, is 
generally admired for its romantic appearance. It is 
formed in an old rugged quarry, and well exhibits the 
triumphs of Flora over one of the most unseemly por- 
tions of landscape. There is a noble specimen of 
Yucca gloriosa, upwards of 10 feet in height, in full 
flower, here ; the largest spike bearing above 220 white 
hexandrous blossoms larger than Tulips !. The Cottage 
Garden is very interesting, the old cottage in i: being 
the only remaining house of the ancient village of 
Fochabers ; it is heautifully embellished within, as well 
as surrounded with a balcony outside, and trellises 
covered with climbing Roses. The -Eastern Flower 
Garden is remarkable for its fountains playing amid 
fine American shrubs; and in front of the Conservatory 
and verandah is an interesting collection of Carnations 
and flowers bedded out on the lawn. In an isolated 
parterre, there has recently been erected a new span- 
roofed greenhouse of elegant design. The rafters were 
covered with seedling Passifloras in fruit, and the 
house was gay with Heaths, Calceolarias, Fuchsias, 
Geraniums, &e. The sweet Stephanotis floribunda, the 
showy Allamanda cathartica, Passifloras Bonapartea 
and princeps, &e., adorned the stove. The kitchen 
garden contains about 9 acres, and the forcing depart- 
ments are extensive. Mush are full 
grown on the wall borders in wooden span-roofed beds 
with linings of dung between them.—R. A. 
Miscellaneous. 
Locusts.—A specimen of this celebrated species of 
inseet, which was caught the other day in a field near 
Broxbourn, has been shown to us bya friend. It is 
about two inches in length, and altogether is like a ver 
enlarged grasshopper, having the same long and power- 
ful legs, and large brilliant eyes, but with rather more 
brown in the colour of the body. It seemed quite 
active and lively, and was only preserved from escaping 
by being kept in a close box. The person who caught 
it says it cost him a great deal of trouble, as it flew far 
and swiftly. The visitation of these curious insects to 
this eountry seems to have been pretty general, for we 
observe from the Fife Herald, that two have lately 
been caught in the neighbourhood of St. Andrews, 
while another has been eaptured at Helmsdale, Suther- 
landshire.— Scotsmun. 
Musquitoes in England.— Many persons have com- 
plained that the flies and gnats bite more severely than 
usual this year. A gentleman who has resided long in 
the East assures us that he has seen several musquitoes 
both here and in London. It is not improbable that 
they have come over from America and the West 
Indies in goods and passengers’ luggage, and that the 
unusual heat of the weather here has induced them to 
wander merrily abroad in search of adventures.— 
Country Paper. [Nonsense;—when is it that a musquito 
cannot be found in England? It is the genus Culex, 
which is a greater pest at the North Pole than any- 
where. 
Calendar of Operations. 
(For the. ensuing Week.) 
Protection of Half-hardy Plants.—As the winter 
approaches, protection of some kind should be provided 
for plants and shrubs of tender character ; almost any 
material is eligible, provided it will, in a considerable 
degree, throw off wet. Canopies for this purpose should 
be so contrived as to admit of one or two sides being 
opened at pleasure. If only one, I would place it on 
the north or west side—certainly not on the south ; as 
the excitement occasioned by fits of sunshine, is apt to 
prove very prejudicial, The covering, or canopy, 
should by no means be allowed to touch the plant ; and 
the greater the space allowed between it and the plant 
the better will it afford protection. It is a very bad 
sractice to bundle the shoots together like a besom, in 
order to make them oceupy a more limi‘ed space ; such 
may save trouble and material, but is a most injurious 
proceeding. More injury is occasicned by confined 
damp, in a majority of cases, than by lowness of temper- 
ature.  Hoodings of straw, so formed as to overlap 
the protecting material beneath, are very good, and 
simple protectors, and if rightly contrived, may be 
removed with as much facility for ventilation, as the 
top of an ordinary handglass. Oil-cloth will form a 
good protection also, formed into a kind of cone, on the 
sides of which, a small flap or two may be made to open 
without admitting the rain. Before the application of 
any top-covering, I would advise an inch or two of the 
surface soil around the collar to be removed, and 
replaced with dry sawdust—the newer the better. This 
should be piled as high up the stem as the plant will 
admit, taking care not to choke too many of the lower 
leaves, and if the canopy is so contrived as to overlap 
this mound, the covering will be complete. The only 
thing that remains is to give air in favourable oppor- 
tunities, avoiding particularly cutting winds, which in 
al bility do more harm than the frosts, 
executed at the garden under the sup o! 
Mr. Sanders} Intermixed'with the vases on-the lawn, 
large standard Portugal Laurels in boxes produce 
something of the effect of the Orange-trees similarly 
grown on the Continent. There isa new flower-garden 
in progress, which, when eompleted, will be one of the 
* See Lindley’s “ Vegetable Kingdom ” for an explanation of 
these terms. 
Mr. S, has an interesting garden factory, as well as a 
small saw-mill-for cutting wood into flower ‘stakes, labels, 
&c., which deserves the attention of ‘horticulturists in large 
establishments. 
CONSERVATORIES, STOVE, &c. 
Conservatory.—Proceed according to former diree- 
tions ; see that all plants belonging to this structure 
are housed forthwith. Do not be flattered by fine 
weather; such at this period usually “flatters to 
betray.”  Cleanli ree ilati and clever 
arrangement, are the main points. If severe weather 
should oceur, do not hesitate to use a little fire-heat 
at times, especially where many plants are bloom- 
ing; as by these means a free ventilation may be 
