Dojuestic Notices.' — Scotland. 163 



Our correspondent is correct in considering the flower a male ; the generic 

 character of Cjcas is : — male, catkin imbricated; calyx, a spatulate scale ; 

 corolla, none ; anthevs, globose, sessile, on a scale : female, spadix com- 

 pressed, two-sided j calyx, none; corolla, none; style, none; drupe, one- 

 seeded. — Cond. 



Description. The tub in which the plant grows is raised upon a stand, 

 so that the leaves are within about 5 ft. of the glass : it is 2 ft, in depth, 

 and 6 ft. 6 in. in circumference. The stock, or stem, of the plant is 1 ft. 

 6 in. in height, from the surface of the earth, in the tub, and 2 ft. 6 in. in 

 circumference, covered with the remains of the different growths of leaves 

 of a dark brown colour. The last growth of leaves includes thirty-six in 

 number ; the previous ones having been all cut oiF; in length they are 4 ft. 

 6 in., and in circumference at the tips 27 ft. In colour they are of a fine- 

 dark green, the ribs being rather lighter than the leaflets. The catkin, 

 which rises perpendicularly out of the apex of the stem, has a very short 

 footstalk, thinly set round with leathery spatulate scales, of a dusky orange 

 colour, in height 2 ft. 10 in,, and at the greatest circumference 1 ft. 3 in., 

 tapering from about half-way up to the top. It is set round with about 

 1500 of these scales, regularly imbricated, which radiate from the centre* 

 The one shown in the sketch {a b) is the full size, (a the breadth, b a side 

 view,) taken from the bottom of the catkin ; the others gradually diminish 

 in size towards its top. The under sides of these scales as they come 

 into perfection, become covered with numerous little globules (c), which 

 expand into little cups, out of which a quantity of yellow powder falls, of 

 a beautiful shining orange colour, which emits a very exhilarating resinous 

 fragrance. The remains of the catkin produced in 1826 still hangs down 

 under the leaves, a number of the scales having fallen, or been rubbed off 

 from its top. 



Laying out Part of the Calton Hill as Pleasure-Ground. -—We observe 

 with pleasure plans advertised for in the Edinburgh newspapers, for this 

 purpose. There is no city in Britain which presents greater facilities for 

 public walks and gardens than Edinburgh, notwithstanding the immense 

 injury which it has sustained in a picturesque point of view by the earthen 

 mound, and the mean buildings which cover great part of the bottom and 

 sides of the valley of the North Loch. That valley ought to have been 

 laid out in terraces, some open, or covered with glazed verandas, for win^ 

 ter use, and others shaded by trees for summer walking. The great art in 

 laying out walks for recreation and ease on sloping surfaces, is so to direct 

 them as not to render them more fatiguing than straight walks on level 

 ground. But the grand subject of improvement at Edinburgh in the way 

 of planting in public walks, is the hill of Arthur's Seat, which, planted and 

 built on, might be rendered one of the most unique scenes in Europe. (See 

 Encyc. of Gard. § 7317.) 



North British Professional Gardeners'" Society. — The April competition 

 of this Society took place on the 16th of that month. From the mildness of 

 the weather it was to be supposed that the articles exhibited would be excel- 

 lent; and, while they really were so, the broccoli, the endive, sea-kale, and 

 auriculas were far superior to what was to be expected. After a careful 

 examination of the various articles, prizes were awarded as follows : — 



For the best three heads of broccoli, to James Goddall, gardener to the 

 Most Noble the Marquess of Lothian : for the best six crowns of sea-kale, 

 to the above James Goddall ; to Thomas Liddel, gardener. East Wariston, 

 for the second : for the best imperial quart of mushrooms, to Allan Gal- 

 loway, gardener, Springfield House : for the best three double wallflowers, 

 to John Young, gardener to Thomas Oliver, Esq., Bruntsfield ; to Daniel 

 Sinclair, gardener to James Donaldson, Esq., Broughton Hall, for the second : 

 for the best six sprigs of border flowers, to Dugal M'Ewan, gardener, 

 Beachwood ; to Robert Lees, gardener. Mount Lodge, for the second : for 



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