^60 Retrospective Criticisms 



part than as a supplement to the interesting communication of Mr. Goldie, 

 on the same subject, published in Vol. II, p. 125., and I endeavoured to 

 follow the plan he had adopted as far as possible in my remarks and descrip- 

 tions ; but the mutilated manner in which you sent it to the world made it 

 assume a very different feature, and rendered it (even if correct) meagre in 

 the extreme. 



1 trust the following hints and brief descriptions will afford more defi- 

 nite data in guiding Causidicus to a more accurate idea regarding the soils 

 and situations, &c, of the trees and shrubs in the list ; and I am truly sorry 

 I am not chemist sufficient to give him a true analysis of the various soils. 

 I regret this more particularly, from the importance he attaches to that 

 point. Those soils which I have denominated 



Light moist soils are generally composed of sand, finely divided clay, and 

 vegetable matter, and are peculiarly adapted for absorbing the moisture from 

 the atmosphere. 



Damp rich siuamps are a combination of clay, argillaceous sands, and 

 alluvial deposits, the basis of which was sometimes argillaceous, siliceous, 

 and vegetable matter. 



River siuamps are such as have been formed by inundations, and conse- 

 quently are a compound of various soils. 



Cold damp soils consist of a tenacious clay, with little or no vegetable 

 matter in its composition. 



On the margin of stagnant waters. The soil various, but in a medium state 

 between marshy ground and hills, as respects moisture, and widely different 

 in that respect from those found on 



The margin of rivers. By this term I never intended to convey an idea 

 that they grew in alluvial soils, as you have indicated ; I invariably found 

 them on dry spots, which are peculiar to the banks of most rivers. 



Near to running creeks (rivulets). Similar to the preceding. 



On sandy pine barrens. Those plants were generally isolated, the surface 

 of the ground being only partially covered with vegetable matter ; but the 

 lofty pines frequently formed a dense mass, consequently the plants may be 

 considered as growing in the shade. 



If these brief remarks are of any use, they are very much at the ser- 

 vice of Causidicus, or any of your readers. It will at all times afford me 

 the greatest possible satisfaction to convey any information I may be pos- 

 sessed of, although I am well aware I have very little knowledge to impart 

 to others, my stock being by no means sufficient for home consumption ; 

 and for that reason I appear in the pages of the Gardener's Magazine with 

 the same view and from the same motives which induced Aristippus to visit 

 the court of Dionysius, namely, " To give what I have, and to receive what 

 I have not." I shall now subjoin the original list, and trusting you will give 

 it, or, at all events, the necessary corrections, an early insertion, I remain, 

 Sir, &c. — Alexander Gordon, Loivesby Hall, near Leicester, April 16. 1830. 



2 g Original List, with remarks* 



■« g i* 



g .2 2 A K cer rubrum. In damp rich swamps* 

 £■£% dasycarpum. In river swamps. 



saccharinum. In cold damp soils generally. 

 Alluv. s. nigrum. On high grounds in moderately rich soils. 



Alluv. s. Negundo. Very common along the margin of rivers in rich 



dry soils. 

 Var. s-. -5£'sculus Pkvia. > In a rich loam of a loose texture, under the 

 Var. Si discolor. j shade of oak and other trees. 



flava. Various soils. 

 Alluv. s. macrostachya. Margin of creeks in the upper districts of 



Georgia. 



