728 Retrospective Criticism. 



flourishing, so far north as London, if treated as hardy plants : a fact 

 which, we fear, many who have unfortunately suffered themselves to be 

 persuaded to trust their Cape bulbs to the open borders have discovei'ed 

 to their cost." 



The "AnthericumPplumosum" of the Bot. Mag., t. 3084., and of our 

 Additional Supplement, No. 28616., is referable to this new genus Tricho- 

 petalum ; and Mr. Lindley judges it to be distinct from gracile, " from its 

 narrower leaves, smaller seeds, and erect flowers ; with spreading, not 

 reflexed, petals : characters which exist equally in the wild and cultivated 

 specimens. It may be called Trichopetalum stellatum." Pursuant to this 

 warranty, we shall give again its tabular details under its new name. 



stellatum Lindl. starry-fluid. ^j(\|cu 1 ap W Chile 1829. D co Bot. mag. 3084 

 Anth^ricum ? plumbsum Bot. mag. 3084., and Hort. Brit. 580., and 2>ossibly of Ruiz and Pavon. 



CCLI. \Alidceoe. 



1008. FU'NK/^. 

 8218a Sie'joldtianaDens. Sieboldt's ^ A or 1 jn Li Japan 1830. D r.l Bot. cab. 1869 

 Hemerocallis Sieboldttana B. C. 



Introduced, by the botanist whose name it bears, to the Leyden garden, 

 whence Messrs. Loddiges obtained it in 1830. It grows freely, flowers in 

 June, and is probably hardy. (Bot. Cab., Nov.) 



Art. II. Retrospective Criticism. 



PROFESSOR Lindley'' s Publications. — Sir, As the author and compiler of 

 several of the most popular works on gardening in our language, it 

 may be presumed that your opinions and advice tend, in a greater degree 

 than, perhaps, those of any other man, to influence the conduct and 

 habits of the younger members of that profession, the interests of which 

 you profess to advocate. 



As an occasional reader of the Gardener's Magazine, I am happy to 

 bear testimony to the candid and impartial manner in which this respon- 

 sible task is generally performed ; yet I have seen and regretted some few 

 instances wherein the frailty natural to humanity has manifested itself, 

 and private friendship or interest, perhaps pique, has superseded justice. 



These observations are induced by the high encomiums bestowed, in the 

 Gardener's Magazine, on Mr. Lindley's recent publications, the Principles 

 of Botany, and the Outline of the First Principles of Horticulture ; encomiums 

 which, 1 cannot but think, are in a great measure unjustifiable. Undoubt- 

 edly, very great credit is due to Mr. Lindley, for having condensed within 

 the limits of his two small books more really useful information than is to 

 be sifted from among the baseless theories, oft retailed experiments, and 

 conflicting opinions, that cumber the pages of many of the ample and 

 costly volumes given to the world for its enlightenment, by men with 

 half a score learned abbreviations tacked to their names. But the unqua- 

 lified praise so lavishly showered both upon the author and books, naturally 

 inclines those who purchase the works to expect something very nearly 

 approaching to perfection. Such, at least, was the case with me; and my 

 disappointment was proportionately great, when, on comparing the two 

 works, I found that propositions laid down in the Principles of Botany as 

 essential principles, are, in the later publication, directly contradicted. 

 That Mr. Lindley, for his credit's sake, may have an opportunity of correct- 

 ing such palpable blunders, I have transcribed such of them as have occurred 

 to me ; and, as an act of justice to those among your readers who, like 

 myself, have procured the books on the recommendation contained in this 

 Magazine, you will take the earliest opportunity of making public my 

 remarks through the same channel. 



