86 Foreign Notices. 



of spawn for this purpose, forms an important branch of trade in China. — 

 Profess. Silliman's Journ. of Science, Vol. viii. p. 381. 



NORTH AMERICA. 



The American Farmer's Journal, vol. vi., and the American Plowboy, 

 vol. ii., both weekly publications after the manner of newspapers, have 

 been lately presented to the Horticultural Society, and will afford us some 

 gleanings for our next Number. 



African Sheep. An importation into the United States from Africa 

 has recently taken place, of a number of the broad-tailed breed of sheep, 

 procured from the interior of Africa at considerable expense and trouble, 

 by Captain Creighton, of the United States ship Cijane. This species is 

 said to be extremely valuable, not only for the wool, but the flesh ; and the 

 tail in particular, which is eight or ten inches in breadth, is esteemed a 

 great delicacy. This is the first attempt to introduce the breed into North 

 America. — Mom. Chron. Oct. 



A Horticultural Society has been established in Jamaica ; the secretary of 

 which, Mr. Miller, has proffered its services to the Caledonian Horticul- 

 tural Society. 



SOUTH AMERICA. 

 The Cow Tree. This tree, which has been named Galactodendron,. 

 and appears to belong to the family of Sapotea?, grows on rocky declivities 

 on the northern Andes. Its leaves are large, oblong, thin, dry, and 

 coriaceous. " Its thick ligneous roots scarcely enter the rock ; for several 

 months in the year rain scarcely waters its fan-shaped leaves. The branches 

 appear dry and dead. But when an incision is made in the trunk, a sweet 

 and nutritious milk runs from it. It is at sun-rise that the vegetable liquid 

 runs most abundantly. Then the natives and negroes are seen to come 

 from all parts provided with vessels to receive the milk, which becomes 

 yellow, and thickens at the surface. This vegetable milk possesses all the 

 physical properties of the milk of animals, only it is a little thicker, and 

 mixes easily with water. When boiled it does not coagulate, but a thick 

 yellow pellicle is formed on the surface. Acids do not form with this milk 

 any coagulum as with that of the cow." — Humboldt, Voyage aux Regions 

 Equinoxiales die Nouveau Continent, lib. v. chap. 16. p. 263 and 264. 



AUSTRALASIA. 



Australian Agricultural Company. We are happy to be enabled to state 

 of our own knowledge, that this company, which has been incorporated 

 for the promotion of horticulture and agriculture in N. S. Wales, is pro- 

 ceeding under the most favourable auspices. Large quantities of agricul- 

 tural implements and new farming stock, and horticultural productions of 

 all kinds have been sent from this country, and the reports from the colony 

 are of the most gratifying description. It is expected that the olive will 

 be soon introduced at Port Jackson, where the cultivation of the grape has 

 already succeeded beyond expectation. We have seen samples of a 

 growth of wine from these young vineyards, which is not inferior to the 

 very best of the light white Burgundies. With the protection which the 

 promoters of the purposes of this company will meet with from the new 

 and enlightened colonial secretary, Alexander M'Leay, Esq., it is not too 

 much to anticipate, that in a few short years the vineyards and olive 

 grounds of Port Jackson and Sidney will rival the best of France and of 

 Italy, as their Merino fleeces already do the finest which are imported 

 from Spain. 



Government Garden. Some additions have been made lately to the 

 colonial garden at Port Jackson, which, under the care of its indefatigable 

 superintendent Mr. Charles Frazer, is rapidly accumulating in one common 



