BerJcs?iirei Cambridgeshire, Cheshiret Corrvwall. 6^5 



some length ; and, among other topics, remarked that Dr. Wallich, who had 

 taken a great interest in the Society, and had forwarded to it, during the past 

 year, a great variety of seeds from India, was desirous of receiving some roots 

 and seeds of the Dahlia, the Maranta, or Calathea zebrina, and the 6'anna 

 viridiflora. He also wished to get some seeds of South American plants ; 

 but for these, he believed, they must be indebted to the gentlemen of the 

 packets. He (Dr. Wallich) would be glad as well to have some seeds of 

 grapes, oranges, limes, and lemons ; and the Society would be able, he hoped, 

 to show Dr. Wallich that they were not unmindful of his request. With 

 regard to the indigenous botany of Cornwall, the first collection was sent by 

 Mrs. Grylls of Cardingham ; the most interesting plant in which was Botry- 

 chium Lunaria, which, if not an addition to the Cornish flora, is, at least, 

 extremely rare in this part of the kingdom, although we know it is common 

 in the northern counties both of England and Scotland. The second 

 collection, sent by Mr. William Lobb, comprised dried specimens of those 

 plants wanted for the hortus siccus of the Society. Besides the above, 

 there was a splendid collection of specimens of mosses, also from Mr. Lobb, 

 which appeared to have been collected and arranged with great care. 



Mr. Vivian concluded by saying a few words with respect to the cottagers. 

 The improvement of their condition had been one of the chief objects of the 

 Society ; and, therefore, it gave him great pleasure to state that, by the 

 encouragement afforded by the Society, many local cottagers' societies had 

 been formed in different parts of the county ; and he had reason to hope that 

 others would soon be established. The specimens exhibited by cottagers had 

 gone on increasing and improving every year. 



The only nurseryman who exhibited was Mr. Pontey of Plymouth, who 

 displayed about 20 varieties of Petunia, 100 of heartsease, and numerous 

 pelargoniums, roses, and ericas. (JVest Briton, June 10.) 



Jitly 22. From the great backwardness of the season, and the heavy rains 

 of the preceding week, the show of flowers was very small, and there was 

 only one dish of peaches ; but the pines and grapes, and the small fruits, were 

 very fine, particularly the Naples black currant, which, for size and flavour, 

 is far superior to the common, and well deserves the attention of gardeners. 

 The vegetables were very much admired ; amongst them was a sample of 

 the Chenopodium Quinoa, from the garden of Sir C. Lemon, Bart., an account 

 of which will be found in Vol. X, p. 588. After dinner, the secretary begged 

 leave to call the attention of the company to a letter which he had received 

 from Mr. Booth, gardener, of Carclew, respecting the subscription for erection 

 a monument to poor Douglas; when tlie sum of 2/. 12^. 6d. was subscribed. 

 At the dinner, some of the leaves of the quinoa were served up, dressed as 

 spinach, and were very much admired. (Cormvall Royal Gazette, July 29.) 



Sept. 27. The grand stand for flowers and plants occupied the centre of 

 the room, and was well filled with beautiful specimens. One side was set 

 apart for the different varieties of fruit and vegetables ; the other was appro- 

 priated to nurserymen's flowers, of which there was a brilliant display from 

 Mr. Veitch of Exeter, Mr. Pontey and Mr. Rendle of Plymouth, and Mr. Fox 

 of Penzance ; while the end opposite the chair was crowded with excellent 

 samples of showy flowers, and the more important, because the most useful, 

 fruit and vegetable productions of the cottager. 



The following extract from the speech of Sir C. Lemon will give an idea of 

 the great variety of the plants exhibited : — Sir Charles " begged particularly 

 to notice the purple-fruited guava, from the garden of Mr. R. W. Fox, as new 

 and interesting ; and two beautiful pines, contributed to the dessert, though 

 not exhibited for a prize, from Mr. M. Williams. The grapes, also, were of a 

 very superior character. Among the vegetables he wished particularly to 

 direct attention to the quinoa, which is stated by Humboldt to be as valuable 

 to the inhabitants of tropical America as the rice is to the inhabitants of 

 India. He was cultivating it; and, though unable to state the probable 

 produce per acre, the specimen he held in his hand proved how freely its 



Vol. XIL — No. 8J. 3 b 



