Royles Illustrations of the Himalayas. 1 99 



grounds being finely undulating. In front of the house there is a road, leading 

 from the landing-place on the river, along a small stream, over which there is 

 an elegant wooden bridge, and several artificial cascades have been formed in 

 its channel. The house is composed of wood, as well as the offices and 

 lodges, painted white, and are very neat of their kind. The conservatory had 

 been dismantled a few days before our arrival, by placing the plants in the 

 open air. The collection seemed extensive and well kept. The flower- 

 garden is small, the walks limited, and both destitute of beauty. I am aware 

 that most of the evergreens which impart loveliness to the residences in 

 Britain cannot withstand the rigours of an American winter; but this circum- 

 stance is no excuse for the nakedness of Hyde Park walks, the aid of many 

 native plants having been disregarded. The matchless beauties of the situ- 

 ation have not only been frequently neglected, but destroyed by stiff, formal, 

 naked walks, and the erection of temples resembling meat-safes, without a 

 climbing plant, which the country produces in endless variety, to hide their 

 deformity, and harmonise them with the surrounding scene. In short, while 

 I greatly admired the situation of Hyde Park, I do not recollect having seen 

 a celebrated place where nature had done so much, and man so little, to render 

 it beautiful. The embellishments at Hyde Park, contrasted with those met 

 with every day in Britain, place American landscape-gardening immeasurably 

 behind, if it can be said to exist." 



(Tb be continued.') 



Art. VI. Royles Illustrations of the Botany and other Branches of 

 the Natural History oy the Himalayan Mountains, and of the Flora 

 of Cashmere., 8^c. Part V., containing from p. 137. to p. 176. of 

 the Illustrations of the Natural Orders ; with nine beautifully 

 coloured plates of plants, and one plate of fossil bones, teeth, and 

 shells. Folio. London, 1835. 20s. 



In turning over the leaves of this work, we cannot help re- 

 marking on the dry and comparatively uninteresting book which 

 Mr. Royle could not have avoided producing, had he followed 

 an artificial arrangement of the subjects it contains; whereas, by 

 throwing his genera into natural groups, and generalising on 

 these groups with reference to similar climates in every part of 

 the earth, he has produced one of the most interesting botanical 

 works with which we are acquainted; and one which not only 

 instructs us in the botany and other branches of natural history 

 of the Himalayan Mountains, but in natural history, and espe- 

 cially botany, generally. Such is the excellence which an au- 

 thor may attain by a superior degree of intelligence, much 

 assiduous industry, and an enthusiastic devotion to the subject. 



The order Sapindacese is concluded in the present number. 

 The Euphoria Lwhi " is one of the most delicious and most 

 delicate-flavoured of all the fruits of the East;" and, though a 

 native of China, succeeds in most parts of India. Being decidu- 

 ous, we cannot help thinking that it might stand the open air in 

 Britain, at least, in the south of England, and Ireland. It is, 

 says Mr. Royle, *' one of the most ornamental of trees." See p. 73. 



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