486 Primula sinensis. — BregazzPs Hoi-bed Thermometer^ S^c. 



would lead us to infer that silk is a vegetable, not an animal 

 product, that is to say, that the basis of the material, in its 

 ]iroximate form, is derived from the vegetable kingdom, though 

 the spinning of its substance into a lengthened thread is en- 

 tirely due to the mechanical functions of the silkworm. The 

 silk tissue of the mulberry becomes very obvious by breaking 

 some decayed twigs of two or three years' growth. 



Primula sinensis. — I had, last winter, the Primula sinensis 

 fully exposed to all the severity and vicissitudes of the season, 

 which it withstood well ; and it was interesting to witness this 

 pretty plant in full bloom, when the ground was covered with 

 snow. 



Bregazzi's Hot-bed Thermometer . —r- 1 do not know whether 

 Signor Bregazzi claims this invention as his own ; I can only 

 say, that when I called, in 1819, on M. Regnier of Paris, for 

 the purpose of seeing his invention for making annular in- 

 cisions on the vine (the utility of which practice was then 

 much vaunted of), I was at same time shown a similar ther- 

 mometer, invented by this ingenious mechanician. 



Grapes. — I remember once dining with a physician, when 

 two parcels of grapes were introduced in the dessert. These 

 grapes were as dissimilar as could well be imagined; the one 

 seemed equal to foreign, large and rich ; the other, scarcely 

 edible. 1 was surprised to hear that they were taken from the 

 same tree, the growth of England, and of the open garden. 

 The only difference was, the fine grapes were such bunches 

 as happened to be tied up in black crape, and the others in 

 white gauze, merely done to protect them from the attacks of 

 birds and insects. On the latter clause of information, my 

 surprise subsided. This is of easy application. 



Changes of Seed in Trees. — Curious instances of this de- 

 scription are recorded. In the Gardener's Magazine the case 

 of the nutmeg has been adduced, as affording an extraordinary 

 example. The Zaxus baccata, or yew, is a dioecious tree ; but, 

 on the property of Mr. Donaston of Westfelton, there is a 

 beautiful yew, elegantly pendulous or weeping, and exceedingly 

 graceful. Of late years it has been clothed with male and 

 female flowers, and Mr. Donaston has reared young plants 

 from seed taken from the tree. I possess a male branch from 

 this highly ornamental tree, containing the nest of the golden- 

 crested wren. 



