Retrospective Criticism. 229 



has been one of long standing ; a discipline, 'tis true, under which he groaned 

 at the time, but, like a quondam riotous school-boy, now feels the full ad- 

 vantages of, in his maturity. He remonstrates also against the implication 

 swallowing raw of horse-dung, or of revelling on a stew-hole in a reeking 

 tan-pit. Hippeastrum vittatum is far too nice, and has much more spirit, he 

 is proud to say, than to suffer such treatment, which, he candidly says would 

 soon put him to death ; but surely Mr. Sweet will allow others to know thus 

 much of his temper as well as himself. The Hon. and Rev. W. Herbert is 

 the personage to whom he is most indebted in this country, who has placed 

 him in his proper rank in society with a knight's star * upon his breast. 

 All his family and kindred owe c\ery thing to that gentleman, of whom he 

 has heard so much in his present domicile, that possibly, from gratitude 

 alone, he may have seconded the efforts of his guardian, who, if a pilferer 

 according to Mr. Sweet, has to answer for the penalty to Mr. Herbert alone." 



You see, my dear sir, that H. vittatum is sorely wroth. I cannot but 

 commend his honest zeal, while I am sorry to say that the tone of Mr. 

 Sweet's observations appears altogether beneath him, who, being occupied 

 so usefully for the botanical and floricultural world, might have treated 

 more philosophically the eiForts of others, even if they seemed to trench on 

 his own peculiar province. I might appeal to any Amaryllis man of two 

 years' standing, whether all that is expressed in Mr. Sweet's two articles on 

 the subject would not, per force, have developed itself to his observation 

 in that time; nay, a great deal more must have pressed upon him, as to the 

 treatment and soil for many of the original bulbs, which perhaps is un- 

 avoidably omitted in these communications. My article was solely on 

 H. vittatum; and designed to second the effort of M. Faldermann for the 

 non-initiated in its culture. 



As to the flippant notice with respect to the amount of the hybrids, 

 Colville's Catalogue for 1827, which enumerates about 150, was the latest 

 published when I addressed you on the subject. Mr. Sweet's 1 0,000, 

 while they strengthen my own observations, only prove what a delightful 

 treat is always in store for those who have an opportunity of viewing 

 them ; while the lovers of the genus who are further removed, have this 

 additional corroboration in proof of what they can do for themselves. I 

 remain, my dear Sir, your constant reader. — T. S. Alcoch, Mount Hill, 

 near Carmarthen. 



Yerhena Me\ir)diYK. — Mr. Harrison, jun,, in reply to the statement of 

 Mr. Perry (Vol. IV. p. 106.), writes that early in March, 1828, he received 

 seeds of this plant from Mr. Perry, but at no time plants or cuttings. 

 He adds, " on my going up to the horticultural fete, in June following, 

 I took a specimen of it in bloom to show some of my friends, and having 

 the favour granted of exhibiting it to some members of the Council of the 

 Horticultural Society, they very much admired it, and as it was presented 

 to them, they had an undoubted right to dispose of it as they pleased, 

 without asking either myself or any other person for leave to do so. 

 This circumstance led to its introduction into the Botanical Register ; 

 shortly afterwards application was made to my father from the Horticul- 

 tural Society, for information relative to his knowledge of the history of 

 the Ferbena, and how it was received into Petworth Gardens. The sub- 

 stance of his reply was, that it came into his possession the preceding 

 spring, by a cutting presented by Mr. Perry, gardener to T. Hawkins, Esq., 

 Bignor Park, Sussex ; and that Mr. Perry had told me he had been suc- 

 cessful in raising it from seeds sent from Buenos Ayres in 1826." 



* Hippeastrum. Knight's Star. In allusion to the supposed resemblance 

 in the corolla to the star worn by knights. Hence originally Amaryllis 

 equestris. 



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