Foreign Notices : — North America. 569 



It has been stated that the present important discovery applies more espe- 

 cially to estuaries, and that the theory of it proceeds on the combination of 

 vegetable matter with the sulphates contained in sea water. According to 

 this view, the cause ought to diminish as we quit the coast, and advance into 

 the country. It is on this principle the examination of the interior of Africa 

 is calculated, and there can be no doubt of the truth of the hypothesis to a 

 certain extent ; but there are other parts of the world where the case is in- 

 verted, as I shall probably show in another notice on this important subject. 

 — W. Sept. 12. ■ f J 



NORTH AMERICA. 



American exploring Squadron. — Mr. Nuttal has returned from Washington 

 cit}', after arranging forty boxes of plants sent home from the American ex- 

 ploring squadron, which had been collected at Madeira, Rio de Janeiro, Cape 

 de Verde Islands, Patagonia, Terra del Fuego, Chili, coast of Peru down to 

 Callao, the Figee Islands (having made friends with the inhabitants). Navi- 

 gation group, and coast of New Holland. He says that the plants are pre- 

 served in the best manner, and will be an immense acquisition to botany. 

 Many more boxes are expected from the squadron, the result of the industry of 

 the scientific men on board, and of the officers, who aided zealously the labours 

 of the botanists. The collection of ornithology is also very great. — J. M, Phi- 

 ladelphia, Aug. 3. 1841. 



Supposed new Cherry. — Some months since I sent you a description of a 

 new cherry, from the Journal of the late C. S. Rafinesque, and said to have 

 been brought by Lewis and Clarke from the Organ Mountains ; but upon 

 comparing it to-day with specimens of European cherries in the valuable 

 herbarium of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, with 

 Mr. Nuttall, it would seem to be the Cerasus Mahdleb of the Old World. 

 I must say, however, that the fruit is not hard, as asserted by Gerard, nor is 

 there any scent in the wood, fruit, flowers, or leaves, at least to the degree 

 quoted from him in the Arboretum Britannicum, chap. 42. p. 707. The leaves 

 of a branch plucked two days since have a slight peach-leaf flavour. There 

 are two trees of the cherry in Washington Square. — Idem. 



Ailantus glandulosa. — I regret to say that this beautiful tree, which orna- 

 ments and shades the pavements of this beautiful city, is very subject to 

 a decline for a season, and to death the next year. The morbid cause is to 

 me inexplicable. One, two, or more, in a row are thus affected, while others 

 remain in full vigour. The picturesque arrangement of the branches and 

 leaves, the rapid growth of the tree, and its exemption from insects, render it 

 a great favourite. I am very anxious to discover a preventive or remedy 

 for the disease. Is the tree subject to the same affection in England ? — 

 Idem. 



Maclur&auraniiaca. — In addition to the useful purposes to which this tree 

 is applied and of which it is capable (Vol. VII. p. 508.}, I may now mention 

 that of Iiedges, for which it is admirably adapted by reason of its very rapid 

 growth, and the sharp thorns, 1 in. or more in length, placed alternately 

 along the branches, A branch was recently sent me that grew 5 ft. this season. 

 If properly trained and trimmed, I think it would answer well, and defend an 

 enclosure against any animal. An experiment, I am told, is now in progresji 

 near this city, to test its capability for this purpose. — Idem. 



New Edition of Michaux's Sylva. — Mr. Nuttal is now engaged in preparing 

 this work, which is to be published by Mr. Judah Dobson of this city. The 

 plates of this valuable work were purchased by the late patriotic William Maclure 

 in Paris, and sent to Harmony, state of Illinois, the seat of Robert Owen's 

 famous experiment for reforming mankind. — Idem, 



New Edition of Michaux's Sylva. — I received a letter from Mr. Nuttall a day 

 or two ago. He is still engaged in preparing his new edition of Michaux's Sylva 



