696 Domestic Notices : — England. 



explored. Much confusion, it was well known, also existed as regarded the 

 nomenclature of plants, which it would be one of the objects of the Botanical 

 Society of London to simplify. The chairman then adduced a recent instance, 

 which came under his observation, where common plants were designated by 

 different names in different counties; so that farmers and gardeners were 

 unable to identify them by the names given in the botanical dictionaries. A 

 list of donations to the library and the herbarium were then announced. 

 The secretary read a draught of the rules for thegovernment of the Institution, 

 which appeared to be modelled after those of similar bodies, and which 

 were generally agreed to; after which the meeting adjourned. {The Times, 

 Oct. 14. 1836.) 



Proposed Botanic Gardens in Leeds. — A writer, addressing the editors of 

 the Leeds Mercury, thus proceeds : — " Allow me, through the medium of 

 your paper, to entreat Mr. Eddison and his colleagues not to slacken their 

 zeal respecting the establishment of botanical and zoological gardens in this 

 town, because the chairman of the Leeds Horticultural Society was pleased 

 to express a fear that, ' while Leeds clung to its smoke, instead of burning it, 

 the attempt to establish a botanical garden (except at too great a distance) 

 would necessarily fail;" for I can assure them that there is more than one 

 very eligible site, which is equal, if not superior, to that at Sheffield, and at 

 no greater distance from the town ; and which (I dare say you are aware) is 

 generally allowed to be without fault. Leeds, I believe, established the first 

 Horticultural Society, which flourished for some time ; but, I am sorry to say, — 

 nay, being so closely connected with the people of Leeds, I am ashamed to say, 

 — that all taste for public horticultural recreation has, of late years, become 

 almost extinct. A little spark, however, again presents itself, which, I trust, 

 Leeds, with its energy and its wealth, will speedily fan into a flame. Let us 

 be jealous of Sheffield, Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, and many other 

 towns, not less smoky than our own ; and, seeing the zeal and interest which 

 they have displayed in |)romoting recreations so rational, so healthy, and so 

 delightful, let us be determined that a stone shall not remain undisturbed, in 

 order that Leeds may again stand unrivalled in a cause of all others the most 

 interesting. — G. A, Leeds, Oct. 10. 1836." {Leeds Mercury, Oct. 15.) 



The Colchester Botanic Garden. — This garden is bounded on two sides by the 

 ancient city wall, and contains eight acres of good light rich earth. The views 

 are extensive and very picturesque. The principal entrance is from the street 

 called East Hill, leading to Walton, Harwich, and Ipswich. The entrance is 

 by a narrow walk, seemingly not more than 8 ft. wide, until you reach the inner 

 gate, when you er.ter upon a very fine broad walk 12 ft. or 14 ft. wide, straight, 

 and nearly a quarter of a mile long, having an old laurel hedge on each side, 

 with a flower border, generally gay, in front of it; and next the walk, on the 

 right hand, by the entrance, stands Mr. Preston's (the curator) lodge, something 

 like a Scotch bothy, covered with ivy. (I am sorry there is not a better house). 

 There are two small houses, one a stove, the other a green-house. The col- 

 lection of plants in both houses is only kept for sale ; at any rate, they are sold 

 without any reserve : and, indeed, this should not be called a botanic garden, 

 there being no collection nor arrangement worth looking at; and they cultivate 

 vegetables which are regularly hawked about. Fruit trees and other shrubs 

 and plants are also sold. The garden is an excellent promenade for the 

 citizens, who must subscribe a yearly sum, or they cannot be admitted. 

 Strangers may be admitted by paying one shilling. — J. Watts, Colchester, 

 Aug. 1836. 



Zoological Gardens. — One is about to be laid out at Cheltenham, by Mr. 

 Forrest, the author of the design for the Bristol Zoological Gardens. Another 

 is in contemplation at Manchester, respecting which Mr. Forrest has also 

 been consulted. One is talked of for Leamington, one for Bath, and one at 

 Birmingham. The Cheltenham Zoological Garden is to contain 16 acres; and 

 these are situated adjoining a public garden, containing upwards of 100 acres. 

 The Bristol Zoological Garden contains 12 acres, and is situated adjoining 

 Durnham Downs, on which several plantations have been made. Those 



