40 Domestic Notices : — Scotland, Ireland. 



This species is figured in the second volume of Dr. Lindley's Ladies' Botany, 

 to illustrate the Birthwort tribe, under the name of ylristolochia trilobata; it is 

 also figured in Paxton's Magazine of Botany, vol. iii. p. 2. — Cond. 



SCOTLAND. 



Mr. James M'Donald, who has been head gardener in Dalkeith Park for 

 nearly half a century (during which he has possessed no small share of the 

 respect and confidence of three generations of the noble house of Bucclcuch, 

 as well as the esteem of a wide circle of friends and pupils, many of whom, 

 under the good effects of his training, have risen to high distinction in their 

 profession in all parts of the kingdom), having now, in a singularly green old 

 age, retired with honour from the situation he has so long filled, was enter- 

 tained by a number of his friends at a public dinner at the Cross Keys Inn, 

 Dalkeith, and presented by them with a very handsome silver pitcher, with 

 slider, both richly embossed, in testimony of their high opinion of his pro- 

 fessional eminence and private worth. The chair was taken by Mr. Scott 

 MoncriefF, who stated that he might be considered in some measure as re- 

 presenting the Duke of Buccleuch, for His Grace, before leaving Dalkeith, had 

 expressed much satisfaction on being told of this mark of respect about to be 

 paid to Mr. M'Donald, and, in token of his wish to do honour to the occasion, 

 had ordered a liberal supply of venison and other game to be sent to the 

 entertainment. The chairman, with Mr. M'Donald on his right hand, was 

 supported on the left by Dr. Neill, well known as a distinguished horticultu- 

 rist and botanist, whose presence sufficiently indicated the estimation in which 

 Mr. M'Donald was held in that department of science ; and Mr. W. Ballantyne, 

 of the Dalkeith Nurseries, acted as croupier. The Rev. Mr. Robertson, of 

 Dalkeith, and the Rev. Mr. Adamson, of Newton, officiated as chaplains. Be- 

 sides most of the leading inhabitants of Dalkeith, many gentlemen attended 

 from considerable distances, including the Messrs. M'Nab, from the Royal 

 Botanic and Horticultural Gardens, and several of the principal nurserymen of 

 Edinburgh. In the course of the evening, the healths of their worthy veteran 

 guest, Mr. M'Donald, and of the several members of the noble family, with 

 which he had been so long connected, were received with the utmost enthu- 

 siasm ; and it may truly be said, that among the many festive meetings re- 

 corded, there have been few where more kindly feeling has been displayed, 

 and more enjoyment experienced, than at this. — B. S. M. (Edinburgh Even- 

 ing Courier, Nov, 24. 1838.) 



IRELAND. 



Newton-Stuart, Co.Tyrone, June 10. 1838. — In answer to your request, 

 as I am now located in this neighbourhood, I should be happy to give you any 

 information in my power, respecting gardens and gardening in these parts, were 

 it possible for me to write anything on the subject deserving notice. The 

 truth is, gardening is an art neither known nor practised in the north-west 

 district of Ulster ; nay, I might perhaps say, with very few exceptions in any 

 part of the province. There being no gardens, it is superfluous to add, that 

 gardeners are not encouraged, and, in fact, do not exist. That there are a 

 species of handy labourers, who possess the knowledge necessary to enable 

 them to cultivate the few indispensable culinary vegetables which a landed 

 proprietor requires, I do not mean to deny; but one of these, fairly entitled to 

 the appellation of gardener, I have not had the good fortune to meet with, 

 since 1 last saw our common friend Mr. Ellice, of the Palace Gardens, 

 Armagh. -r- M, 



Phyllocladis, and other Australia?! Plants. — In answer to your request in the 

 October Number of the Gardener's Magazine, respecting the Phyllocladis and 

 other Australian plants we have lately been enabled to add to our collection, 

 through the kindness of Dr. Birnie of Belfast, I find the best details I can 



