THE GARDENERS 



CHRONICLi 



I0:i 



ex 



*£?*' rUt from ^having the palpi 

 SlSSTdevrloped, resembling long erect brushes. 

 M fDjSihibited son. ; rigs of the common ^ w, 

 5S'£JS5 the terminal shoots of which had grown 

 ?* n v,lmui wiihin which he had di overed a 



f to *" w .h ETSou-ht might possibly be tliat of 



^ iorana He also exhibited a thin silk 



Ditula angusUonma. « , formed lor the 



•^iTn Sc.ofV.me specieVof spider ; Mr. Lubbock 

 SS^hSS several similar nest, formed at the top 

 JfflU the seeds of several shoots of which had 

 irLwn together and formed into a globular enve- 

 *"• He had observed a species of Epeira about the 

 when half formed. Mr. Stainton 



lope. 



-oiae living specimens of Oxystoma uhcis, and stated 

 thai although in the perfect state, they remain within 



the pod until it borate, making no previous attempt to 

 rJlST He likewise exhibited a branch of the common 

 lk*!tbe leaves of which were mined by the larvse of 

 some small moth, and pointed out the difference oi 

 habit of the larvae which mine the leaves of deciduous 

 trees, and evergreen ones. Mr. Westwood « Inbited 

 some galls upon the common Vine, received from bi 

 Oswald Mosl , several of which liad been found t 

 contain the la'rvte of a species of weevil, a fact not 

 hitherto observed. A very interesting mem-ir by Mr 

 W. W. Saunders was read upon the various species ot 

 insect which attack the Cotton crops in North A. u-a, 

 the West Indian inlands, aad the East Indies- From 



the communication.-, „f Drs. Koyk-and llorsfield,and Mr 

 impson lie was enabled to increase the number ol 

 Cotton inaeets t „ 1_> different species, the transforma- 

 tirmo nf m«. nf which were illustrated with tigut . 



^ „ , ,t in extreme exceptional cases, is 



produced in each parent. ..... j- 



As regards the motility of these and miliar bodies, 

 the author, with great reason, does not consider it as an 

 indication of aniraahty ; but precisely ol the same . tute , 

 as tliat of the bodies on epithelium and other vibratile 

 filaments whether in animals or vegetable-. The bodies 

 then are merely special cells, destined for a particular 

 obiect and endowed with motion, and not destined to 

 reproduce bodies similar to themselves, which seems an 

 essential attribute of any insulated specific organism. 

 They are formed in a particular organ by a peculiar 

 mechanism, and they produce in the corresponding 

 organ of the female the formation of similar cells by 



a similar mechanism. . 



Such is an imperfect sketch of the view of the author, 

 which opens a curious field for investigation and reflec- 

 tion, and one which can scarcely be without useful 

 results ; for while mere fanciful analogies confuse rather 

 than clear our notions, few thing- are more product jve , of 

 just and rational deductions than those analogies which 

 arise from the actual study of phenomena m the exerc.se 

 of an intelligent and well instructed mind. Since the 

 publication of the memoir, as analysis of the Jjrwe 

 memoirs of Thuret, and M rs. Derbcs and Sol.ei, 

 has been published. As far as we can judge from 



,. a . _t.-j.j. 4.x « ~;,^,r» *li<*v fin not eoniirm the 



tozoaircs 



M Robin, is the same in one Bpeoes, at least of Algae, 

 as' in Terns, Equisetaeem, Characete, Hepatic; e, and 



Mosses. 



ftotirr^ of 35oofc 



M arc sur V existence d*un CEuf on Ovule chez Us males 

 emme Us Pantiles des re</e(«ux et dtsavma t pro- 

 duisant, Fun Us grains dc polUn ou les Spermatozoides, 

 Tautrc les cellules pri ves dc Tcmhryon. Par C. 

 Robin. 

 Tuts interesting paper, which has reached us in the 

 form of in extract, from the " Revue Zoologique," for 

 Oct. and NaT., 1848, WM read first before the Society 

 of Biology, and later in the same year before the 

 Academy at Paris. It is well known that both in the 

 animal and vegetable world, the development of the embryo 

 isjdue to the division into cells of the grumous contents 

 of the ultimate embryonic sac, under whatever name 

 it] may be known; and the author contends that the 

 same, or a similar process, takes place with respect 

 to the male organs. We shall confine our observations 

 to. that part of the memoir which relates to those 

 organs in the vegetable kingdom. The pollen grains 

 are thus due to the successive division oi the original 

 mother cell or cells of the anther. These grains the 

 author considers to be the proper analogues of the 

 spermatozoa of animals, and not of the grains of 

 the Fovilia, and he is borne out by the fact that the 

 analogues of pollen granules amongst Cryptogams, as 

 far as has been observed hitherto, resemble 60 very 

 closely true spermatozoa. The author does not seem 

 to be aware that the development of these bodie- 

 in distinct cells, somewhat after the manner of pollen 

 grains, has been recorded in Chara and other Crypto- 

 gams, but he has given very interesting details as to their 

 formation in Ulva lactuca, having been led to the ex- 

 amination by observing the surface of the pools of water 

 left by the tide at Dieppe, after a storm, to be covered by 

 a green scum, which consisted of four different forms of 

 the so-called Zoosperms of A] e. Three of these 

 forms appeared to be referable to Halidrys siliquosa, 

 Fucus serratus and vesiculosus ; the fourth he was not 

 able at once to assign to its proper origin. As he 

 found, however, that they did not vegetate, and resisted 

 like spermatozoa, and cells of the epithelium, certain 

 chemical agents, he began to suspect that they were not 

 Zoosperms ; and on an examination of Ulya lactuca, he 

 observed the development of spermatozoids, perfectly 

 identical, from the central or medullary cells of the 



fronds. 



These cells are first divided by a single partition ; 

 and shortly atterwards each of the two new cells is 

 again similarly divided, the partitions being formed 

 simultaneously or shortly after each other. If the cell 



Garden Memoranda. 



Mr. Groom's Nursery, Clapham.— The Tulips in 

 Mr. Groom's beds are from 1 to 3 inches, and ... some 

 cases even more above the soil, and consequently they 

 require extra watchfulness, in order to guard then, 

 a-ainst frost. At one time their growth was at least 

 three weeks in advance of that of ordinary seasons ; but 



lately, the weather liaving become colder, tbey have 

 not progressed so rapidly, and it is ant.e.pated that 

 ultimately they will not be much in advance of their 

 usual time. Those in the best bed more especial y 

 look uncommonly well ; and in order to keep them back, 

 they are allowed all the air and light that it is possible 

 to mve them. Ground for Ranunculuses and An. uioi.es, 

 that was dunged and ridged in autumn, to be mellowed by 

 the frost, is now being levelled down and planted 

 The roots are placed in beds about 5 inches apart each 

 way, and are covered from 1 to 2 inches deep. A bed 

 of the Siberian Squill was beautifully in bloom, its deep 

 blue flowers having a very interesting appearance at 

 this season of the year. It will be found a very suitable 

 plant for rock- work, where its blossoms would contrast 

 admirably with those of the Crocus, Snowdrop, Primula 

 altaica, and other spring flowers, cheating the winter ot 

 half its gloominess. The Auriculas in pits exhibited a very 

 healthy appearance, here and there throwing up a prema- 

 ture truss, and the Camellias in the houses were coming 

 beautifully into blossom. Along the front shelf oi the 

 Camellia-house the charming little Cyclamen coum was 

 flowering copiously ; and associated with it were small 

 "worked" plants of the deliriously sweet-scented Daphne 

 odorarosea, which every greenhouse should possess. In the 

 show house, Amaryllids, of which Mr. Groom has a nice 

 collection, have been and are still very gay ; and here 

 we saw three varieties of Crocus, which, on account ol 

 their size and beauty, are well worth attention. Then- 

 names were, New Large Yellow ; Alexander Rizz.o, 

 violet purple ; and Queen Victoria, white. These are 

 distinct, and decidedly three of the best Crocuses of their 



colours. 



fi -me 'AccomU of tin Vegetation an<l < Y«mols<y' Ou 



Auckland M«s*ISr-*Ths chars r of the countxj 



basaltic, with the sto running iuto columns, much of 



which is likelv to be strvieeable, since it is found in 



pie - of e. nveuient size for building, and in situations 



from whence it may be easily transported. W Inn, or 



Teen stone, has been found of very flnc quality : also 



,ne sand on Enderbv Island. The soil is everywhere 



rich beyond description, and with a depth of from < to 9 



f t ; it is covered with vegetation from the water s 



edge to the summit of the hills, that is, with trees, terns 



of a variety of sorts, and Grasses. The trees (of winch 



there are 'four or five different descriptions) are of a 



verv crooked and twisted form ; the wood, 1 wtv r , » 



very hard, often ex. ing2J feet in diameter and - 



large quantity of knees, breast-hooks, &c, of the ve* 3 



best description for ship-budding might be supplied from 



it. Planks of from H. to 1 2 feet in length may hi mm 



be obtained, and much of the wood will, doubtless, be 



valuable for furniture purposes ; but we have not st 



found anv fit for inasts or boat-boards. Although these 



trees do not often l ban elevation exceeding 40 leet,tliey 



are not unfrequemlv found GO feet in length, for almost 



every tree has apparently been bent down about 20 or 



feet from the roots, and sgain shot upwards. 1 las 



will account for the gr< difficulty experienced in 



traversing the country, for the passsge is obstructed and 



„„ . '.._"_ - trees, under and over 



which you have alternately to psse. and the I f)S of 

 which tire over covered with fob as thick and even as 



the very l»est trimmed hedge. Tln-r. is a groat variety of 



tints in the foliage , and but for the number of dead trees, 

 the naked and blanched branches of which meet the 

 eye in all directions in the northern part of the Island, 

 the sc .cry could scarcely be surpassed -the trees over- 

 bang the w» 20 feet, which washes th< * branches, while 

 under these may be seen wild ducks &c. The lulls 

 gradually rise at the back to an ele, .on of 800 or 900 

 feet, with, occasionally, very large masses of basaltic 

 rock cropping out. There are many sorts of Grasses 

 on the Islan - and of very fine quality, but on no one 

 spot comprising 10 acres together mar the Company s 

 lation, or cW to the shore, except on ****** 

 Island, where there is sufficient Grass to depasture 

 many hundred be I of cattle ; and I an. happy to learn 

 that this Grass is to be obtained all the year round A 

 Isms extent of t.rass land is also to be found on Auck- 



Mis 



was 



magni 



s gives rise 



there is sufficient iwui, c»vu w n»c ■«»> *.»—" b 



to four new cells, and occasionally the 16 cells thus 

 formed are divided once more, making in all 32, the 

 greatest number which the author has hitherto ob- 

 served. When the division of the cells is completed, a 

 single spermatozoid is formed in each at the expense of 

 its grumous contents. During this process the cells 

 become more distinct, their colour paler, and the in- 

 closed body acquires apparently spontaneous motion, 

 which is at first very slow ; but soon becomes lively 

 and energetic, till the membrane ruptures and the sper- 

 matozoids escape. 



These " " -■■-... 



.. „„ „„ , Ifornia— Of all the 



wonders I h**S ever seen in the vegetable kingdom, 

 nothing will bear comparison with the magnificent and 

 lofl v growths of Cedars and Pines which embellish the 

 hills and mountains that lead to, and make up the great 

 Sierra Nevada Range. The magnificence and grandeur 

 of scenes in which these trees abound, cannot be imagined 

 by any man who has not seen them, and felt the awe 

 and sublimity to which they give rise. I have counted 

 in a circle of 50 feet in diameter, 18 Pine trees, not one 

 of which was less than 3 feet in diameter, or less than 

 •250 feet in height, nor was any one of them marked by 

 the slightest curve or inclination. They are the inimi- 

 table and lofty monuments of nature, uninfluenced by 

 sweeping storms and winds, unbent and undecayed by 

 a centurian age. Not a limb or a knot can be found 

 upon their bodies until you reach an altitude of from 1 00 

 to 200 feet, beyond which height they continue to grow 

 until their towering majesty overawes all surrounding 

 objects, and affords a fit refuge for the noble bird which 

 adorns the banner of our country. No man can travel 

 through these scenes without feeling that the grandeur 

 of Omnipotence itself is teaching him bis finite and 

 insignificant powers. Such was the moral influences of 

 those leviathan growths of Cedars and Pines upon my 

 mind, I would not have dared to have given entertain- 



land Island, situated about one mile from the shore on 

 that part nearest Rose Island, which land will be very 

 valuable, and may be made available when a passage to 

 it is cleared " . . " The officers of the ships of 

 war were particularly struck with the appearance of two 

 different sorts of trees, one well known as the ratah, 

 which was in bloom, and exceeded in bnlhancy and ex- 

 tent anything of the sort they had before seen. J he 

 other is a very ornamental tree (not described) growing 

 on Ewing Island ; the stem is from 18 inches to two feet 

 in diameter, whilst the wood is very hard, and has 

 much die appearance of Maple. It grew .p.dly and 

 has a blossom something resembling the Chesnut, but 

 of a dull lead colour. Its leaves are nearly as large as 

 those of the Fig tr< . but of a darker colour ; the bark 

 and young stems are covered with a white film-like 

 cotton, and the branches spread out from close to the 

 ground a distance of 25 feet." . . . .The rock 

 which forms the basis of the Company's settlement, is 

 surmounted and covered, except near the water s edge, 

 by a humul or peaty soil, varying m depth from a few 

 inches to several feet, in some instances as many as 10, 

 and affording not only a valuable nidus for the growth 

 of vegetable, but, if properly prepared, an excellent 

 substitute for coals for all domestje purposes. The 

 oeatv soil supports a luxuriant vegetation of trees, 

 ihruL, Grasse^erns, and Mosses which together form 

 an underwood so dense that it is almost imposs.ble for 

 man to penetrate unaided through it, except where 

 native paths have been formed, or fire has been per- 

 mitted to make its way through it. The trees consist 

 if a well-known species of the Myrtaceous family— the 

 Metrosideros lucida ; and of one of the Arbaceous or 

 I ig family— the Panax simplex. The principal shrub 

 is a fine species of Veronica, frequently to be met with, 

 and forming occasionally a beautiful feature m the 

 landscape " . . . "As regards the climate of the 

 Auckland Islands, the Commissioner by no means thinks 

 unfavourably of it. His journal shews that although 

 there is much wind and rain at the Islands, as might be 

 expected from their latitude and situation, there is also 

 much fine weather. The circumstance that the New 



aiibbu piieiio.nena, tnougli so compncateu,are euectcu uuu», * ..~~- -■■- - — - „„ Q ;„ C + tho winremacv 



m from three to five houtl, according to the eruditions ! ment .to a fugitive , hm ^•^^supr^aey 



wiii 



thcmsel 



. v r . , or the nature of the cells 



After the escape of the spermatozoids, the 



♦ K-. .-..^ 11-— . S bk!Am .^i-' *l«m«a A«v<->t/-l Vwxilv 



w,uu:,, '*». Aiier me escape oi xne spermaiozoius, n«? 

 four cili; at the smaller extremity of their ovoid body 

 become visible, being half as long again as tltte bodies 



, _ e e again 



themselves. They resemble exactly the Zoosperms 



Thuret, but they do not germinate : and a 



wisdom, and power of Jehovah. Such are the 1 me and 



* California. And when you reflect that 



of hundreds, if not thousands ot 



they cover an . 



square miles, you are prepared to admit the miportance 

 of this claim, which we would urge upon the consideration 

 of our friends in the East. From the Toronto Globe. 



„ the Islands, in all about 4 persons) 



Imdreslded'there eight years without any clothing, and 

 were unwilling to be removed, affords some evidence 

 of the correctness of his views. His experience em- 

 braced the summer and the beginning of the autumn 

 months, and he could only surmise as to the character 

 of the winter, respecting which, however, he felt no 

 anxiety. He states that the unfavourable weather which 

 prevailed for some time after the arrival of the expedi- 

 tion affords no criterion for the future, since the New 

 Zealanders reported the summer and likewise the 

 previous spring to have been unusually wet, and that 

 but for this circumstance the vegetables, though of good 

 size, would have been still larger. Respecting the 

 climate,. Mr. Mackworth, the Commissioner's chief 

 assistant, remarks : ' We had very bad weather for 

 about a month after my arrival ; but during the last 

 seven weeks the climate may be considered quite equal 

 to that of March and April in England.' The New 

 Zealanders had further reported that in winter 'the 

 snow, although sometimes exceedingly heavy, never con 



