] 84; General Notices. 



remarkable for the fine scarlet colour of its petals. Of ^lisma Plantago 

 there is a remarkable variety, with cordiform leaves, like those of ^lisma 

 ^arnassiaefolia, and which M. Robert thinks might form a distinct species. 

 .Erica arborea L. attains a large size ; and there are many varieties, differing 

 in the colour of the flower. E. scoparia L. is subject to the enlargement of 

 the young shoots from the puncture of an insect, which gives them a 

 singular appearance. Ficaria grandiflora Robert, differs essentially from F. 

 ranunculoides, in being twice the size in all its parts, and in the stems not 

 being stoloniferous ; it grows in moist places, while the other grows by hedges, 

 and in shady situations. .Hypericum dentatum Lois, appears to be an annual, 

 or, at all events, not more than a biennial. Quercus Plex L. is found in many 

 very distinct varieties, some differing in the form of the leaves, and others in 

 that of the fruit ; in some the acorns are edible, as in Q. Ballbta. 



It is impossible to glance over this pamphlet without ardently desiring to 

 pass a month at Toulon. We spent one day there in 1819, and visited the 

 orange orchards at Hieres; but we shall live in the hope of seeing that country 

 more at leisure. 



Le Courier Agricole, Journal d' Annonces Agricoles, Horticoles et d'E'conomie 

 Rurale. Paraissant chaque mois, et plus souvent, suivant l'abondance des 

 matieres. Nos. I. and II., pp. 16, for Nov. and Dec, 1838. Price 3 francs 

 for 12 numbers. 

 This is an agricultural and horticultural journal, but chiefly filled with 



advertisements, which are inserted at the rate of 25 cents a line. 



MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. 



Art. I. General Notices. 



Kyanising Wood for plant labels, stakes, and various other garden pur- 

 poses, has been tried during the last three years by Mr. Masters, at 

 Canterbury. Various kinds of wood were subjected to the process, from 

 the Lombardy poplar to the oak, and both in a green and seasoned state ; 

 and the general result was, that the process hardened and rendered more 

 durable the exterior surface of all woods, green or seasoned ; but that, at the 

 same time, it rendered the stakes and tallies more brittle, and consequently 

 more easily broken over by the surface of the ground. In consequence of 

 case-hardening the outer surface, the Kyanised wood is rendered more dura- 

 ble, and exterior decay prevented or retarded ; though, of course, decay, or 

 dry rot, or wet rot, may go on in the heart of the wood as much as if the 

 outer surface had never been Kyanised. In no kind of wood, green or sea- 

 soned, does the liquid penetrate farther than from an eighth to half an inch. 

 Mr. Masters has kindly promised us the details of his experiments on this 

 subject. In the meantime we subjoin a quotation from Barrow's Life of Lord 

 Anson, in the opinion expressed in which, our readers who have tried, or think 

 of trying, the process will feel interested. — Cond. 



Kyanising. — "It is to be hoped that we shall have no more tampering with 

 dry rot doctors and their nostrums for the preservation of Her Majesty's ships. 

 The steeping of large logs of timber in solutions of any kind is perfectly 

 useless : the solution penetrates only skin deep, whereas the real dry rot com- 

 mences at the centre, where the fibres, being the oldest, first give way, as is 

 the case in standing trees. The only plausible and promising preservative of 

 timber is the gas of the kreosote procured from the distillation of coal or 

 vegetable tar, which, when driven off in the shape of gas, will penetrate 

 every part of the largest logs, and render the wood almost as hard as iron ; 

 so hard, indeed, as not easily to be worked. It is understood that, in Belgium, 

 they are using it as blocks for the railroads. The worm (Teredo navalis), as 



