658 New evei'greeJi coniferous Tree, 



such as M. radians, &c., caiinot be cleaned with a small brush, as this brush 

 cannot penetrate between the numerous and thickly set spines, which are 

 the favourite abodes of the insects. Powdered sulphur was also used to 

 destroy the molesting intruders ; but this had not only a very disagreeable 

 appearance for a long time, but its application was attended with injurious 

 consequences to the plants. The simple method, therefore, practised in the 

 above establishment cannot be sufficiently recommended, and I now subjoin 

 the directions for its application. On a fine sunny day take a cactus plant 

 which is attacked by an insect, and cover the earth in the pot with a cloth, 

 so as to prevent it falling out during the operation ; then make a boy hold it 

 over a tub or cask with both hands, and take a good-sized syringe, that has 

 a great many small holes at the end, and fill it with clean water, but not very 

 cold, because, if otherwise, the outer cellular tissue might get a chill; then 

 holding the syringe at some distance, let the water play with more or less force 

 on the upper part of the plant, and by its gushing and penetrating power, the 

 placidly reposing insects are soon roused, and, with all the impurities, are 

 washed away without the most trifling injury to the plant. This method, 

 however, is not sufficient for the destruction of the scale, because it sticks so 

 firmly on the exterior of the plant, that the force of the stream of water cannot 

 remove it ; but in order to eiFect this, it is necessary that the plant should be 

 soaked in tobacco juice for several hours before it is syringed ; and it is 

 understood, that the tobacco juice must not penetrate into the earth in which 

 the plant is grown. The scale by this means is killed, but not removed from 

 the plant, but which is readily effected by the application of the syringe, as 

 above described; and it is particularly necessary, that a dry sunny day should 

 be selected for the operation, so as to facilitate the drying of the attacked 

 and syringed plant. All kinds of Echinocacti, Melocacti, and Mammillarige 

 are the easiest purified in this manner ; also, the Cereus species, when they 

 are not too large ; but large specimens of Cereus and Opuntia, Epiphyllum 

 and Pereskia require, as may easily be understood, the greatest care and atten- 

 tion. As I have practised this method of expelling injurious insects myself, on 

 different kinds of Cacti, in the establishment of M. Jacob Makoy in Liege, with 

 the most perfect success, I can confidently recommend it as the most appli- 

 cable and worthy of imitation. In one day, with the assistance of a boy, I 

 purified a very considerable part of the rich collection of Cacti there. {Garten 

 Zeitung, April il. 1840, p. 118.) 



Art. VII. Notice of a new evergreen coniferous Tree, the Toirey^ 

 taxifblia. By A. J. Downing, Botanic Garden and Nurseries, 

 Newburgh, near New York. 



I SEND you by the British Queen (in a box among some sarracenias, 

 dionaeas, &c,) what I hope you will consider a treasure, viz. a living plant 

 of the beautiful new evergreen tree of Florida, which Dr. Arnott {Annals of 

 Nat. Hist,, vol. i. p. 126.) has named in compliment to our distinguished 

 friend Dr. Torrey, the first of American botanists. This is the first and only 

 specimen that has yet been sent across the Atlantic. There are no plants of 

 it in any other establishment in this country, and from the absolute impossi- 

 bility of penetrating to its habitat in Florida, abandoned as that territory at 

 present is to the ravages of the Indians, I fear that this most interesting new 

 tree will be rare in botanic gardens for a considerable time to come. I trust 

 you will receive this specimen in good condition, and that, after figuring it, 

 you may be able to place it in a favourable situation for its future growth. 

 As it comes from the North of Florida, there can scarcely be a doubt of its 

 hardiness in the climate of England ; and it will probably, therefore, in time 

 prove a most valuable addition to the arboretum of Britain. I learn from 

 Dr. Torrey, that his former correspondent in Florida, who collected the very 



