456 Domestic Notices : — Scotland. 



PRESENTED 

 TO 



PATRICK NEILL, LL.D. F.R.S.E., ETC. 



SECRETARY OF THE 



ROYAL CALEDONIAN HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, 



BY 



SIX HUNDRED PRACTICAL GARDENERS, 



NATIVES or SCOTLAND, 



IN TESTIMONY OF THEIR HIGH ESTEEM 



FOR HIS PERSONAL CHARACTER, 



AND GRATITUDE POR THE ZEALOUS AND LONG-CONTINUED 



DEVOTION OP HIS TIME AND TALENTS 



TO THE CAUSE OF HORTICULTURE, 



AND THE INTERESTS OP 



ITS CULTIVATORS. 



EDINBURGH, XXII. JUNE M.DCCC.XLIH. 



Surrounding the inscription is placed another wreath, composed of Nierem- 

 bergia intermedia, Manettia cordifoHa, Tropae^oUun pentaphyllum, and Physi- 

 -anthus albicans. The plants forming these wreaths were first figured in the 

 botanical periodicals, from specimens cultivated in Dr. Neill's garden at Canon- 

 mills, and most of them were introduced into Britain by himself. Two festoons 

 of fruit also adorn this side, corresponding with those described, and sepa- 

 rated from the flowers by two honeysuckle scrolls, surmounted by figures 

 emblematical of Autumn and Winter. The handles represent vine branches 

 entwined together, and diverging at top and bottom, clasping the vase. 



" The vase is united to its triangular pedestal by a collet composed of 

 acanthus leaves, and spreading out at top and bottom. On the upper surface 

 of the triangular pedestal are placed three female figures emblematical of 

 Flora, Pomona, and Ceres. On the tablet of the pedestal, immediately below 

 the medallion, is placed the Neill crest, surrounded with a wreath of the 

 Scotch thistle. On the second tablet is represented a span-roofed green- 

 house, stove, and vinery, being an exact perspective representation of the 

 hothouses in Dr. Neill's garden at Canonmills. On the third tablet is repre- 

 sented a group of garden implements in common use at the present day. 

 Three beautiful representations of some of those plants which have been 

 named in compliment to Dr. Neill are placed on the small square tablets 

 occupying the corners of the triangular pedestal immediately above the feet ; 

 viz., Alstrcemen'a NeillM, J?rica NeillM, and Neilh'« thyrsiflora, the last of 

 which is a genus native of Nepal, and named in compliment to Dr. Neill by 

 the late Professor Don of King's College, London. 



" The plateau or stand is also richly embossed with flowers, and the centre 

 composed of thick plate mirror. 



" The vase, with its plateau, is the workmanship of Messrs. Mackay, Cun- 

 ninghame, and Co., 47. New Buildings, North Bridge, Edinburgh. It stands 

 2 ft. high, and is considered by experienced judges to be the most elaborate 

 piece of plate ever manufactured in Edinburgh." 



Great praise is due to Mr. M'Nab, jun., for his exti'aordinary activity hi 

 procuring the cooperation of so many individuals in so short a time. We 

 understand, also, that Mr. M'Nab was in a great measure the author of the 

 design of the vase, of which, as well as of a portrait of Dr. Neill, we may 

 probably, at some future time, be able to give engravings. 



At the presentation dinner, a great number of persons, particularly practical 

 gardeners, were present ; and Mr. Sang, nurseryman, Kirkaldy, a man in every 

 way after Dr. Neill's own heart, and, if we may be permitted to say so, also 

 after ours, was placed in the chair. Mr. Sang was supported on the right by 

 Dr. Neill ; Professor Traill ; Mr. Gray, banker, Greenock ; Mr. Mackay, jewel- 

 ler ; Mr. Stevenson, civil engineer ; Mr. Graham of Robhill, W. S. ; Captain 

 Gemmill ; Mr. Stephens, Editor of the Agricultural Journal, &c. : on the left 

 by James Wilson, Esq. ; Charles Cobbold, Esq. ; Mr. Geo. Logan, W. S. ; 



