Retrospective Criticism, — Queries and Answers. 459 



supported by the curators of the botanic gardens in Edinburgh and Glasgow, 

 by the chief gardener to the noble president of the Horticultural Society, 

 himself a distinguished writer on horticulture and an excellent practical 

 gardener, and by Mr. Smith of Hopetoun House, the earliest and most suc- 

 cessful practical gardener in Scotland, and also a writer on horticultural 

 science. (Cheers.) I assure you that a simple vote of thanks from this 

 assemblage representing, as it does, 600 of the practical gardeners of Scotland, 

 — a vote of thanks would have been enough, and more than enough, for me. 

 But no : so far were they from confining themselves to thanks, that they 

 had embodied their thanks in this testimonial which the chairman had repeat- 

 edly chosen to designate as small, but which I will call costly, splendid, and 

 lasting. (Hear.) It is the most magnificent piece of workmanship of the 

 kind which I have seen. I observe that the floral decorations have been 

 selected with scientific taste, and my offices have been placed on it ; that is, 

 indeed, flattering ; but it certainly appropriates the thing most completely, 

 and I will say that it has been executed with consummate taste, and does the 

 utmost credit to the state of art in Edinburgh, (Cheers.) I feel the deep 

 obligations which you have placed me under. I am sensible that my merits 

 have been much overrated j but be assured of this, that, as long as life lasts, 

 I shall retain a grateful sense of your kindness ; and I believe that the events 

 of this evening will be among the last things which will fade .from my 

 memory." (Loud cheers.) 



Dr. Neill again rose and proposed in a second speech, as a toast, " Scottish 

 Gardeners and Horticulturists," which was answered by Mr. Smith of 

 Hopetoun House. The chairman proposed the health of " Mr. James 

 M'Nab of the Experimental Gai'dens," who had bestowed no ordinary ex- 

 ertion in getting up the testimonial, &c. Many other professional and" local 

 toasts were given, prefaced with appropriate speeches, and the company 

 separated in the happiest mood, about 10 o'clock. For farther details we 

 must refer to the Scotsman of June 24th, and Edinburgh Evening Coiirant of 

 the same date. 



The Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland held their half-yearly 

 meeting on July 4th, when evidence was given of a spirit being at work by no 

 means inferior in point of activity to that stirred up in England by the 

 English Agricultural Society. {Scotsman, July 8. 1843.) 



A new public Cemetery at Edinburgh has lately been opened to the public. 

 It is in a most delightful situation at Warriston, about two miles from town, 

 and commanding fine views of the sea, Edinburgh Castle, Calton Hill, Arthur's 

 Seat, and the Costorphin and Pentland Hills. We have not seen the plan, 

 but, when we do so, we shall notice the subject again, hoping in the meantime 

 that the arrangement is such that now, and in all future time, every grave may 

 be examined, without stepping over any other grave. — Cond. 



Art. III. Retrospective Criticism. 



Errata. — In Vol. VII. p. 665., line 24. from the bottom, for " ten miles," 

 read " four miles." 



In the Vol. for 1842, p. 189., some observations are made respecting the 

 river Delaware, which might lead the reader to believe that that river was 

 sometimes obstructed by ice as early as October 15., whereas. Dr. Mease in- 

 forms us, it is never frozen in October, and rarely before Christmas. — Cond. 



Art. IV. Queries and Answers. 



A Caterpillar on Geraniums, Sfc. — I have often heard gardeners and ama- 

 teurs complain of the shoots and leaves of their geraniums being eaten very 



