August 18, 1888.] 



THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. 



187 



and pumice, varying from 1 to 60 metres in thick- 

 ness ; it is uninhabited, uninhabitable, and difficult 

 of access. Winds, wave*, and birds have, however, 

 contributed to clothe part of the island with Ferns, 

 of which eleven species were collected. Previous to 

 the Ferns, and preparing the way for them, were 

 fresh-water Alga; of various kinds, which supplied a 



ment of North-west India has issued a valuable 

 treatise on the grasses used in the plains of North- 

 west India for forage or for fodder. Mr. DuTHiEhas 

 collected largely himself, and he has carefully studied 

 the herbaria and libraries within his reach ; moreover, 

 he has availed himself freely of the labours of 

 specialists. The genera are arranged according to 



ness is not flattering, and the details are too obscure 

 to be of use for discriminating doubtful species. 



Botanical Books. — Mr. Wheldon, Great 

 Queen Street, W.C., has published a useful list of 

 horticultural and agricultural books, as well as 

 others relating to botany and to forestry. 



Fig. 22. — stuaetia pseudo-camellia : hardy shrub : flowers white, (see p. 188.) 



hygroscopic property in the absence of which the 

 Fern spores could not have grown. The flowering 

 plants were such as generally take possession of 

 newly raised coral islands, while on the shore were 

 found seed-vessels such as are commonly washed up 

 on the shores of the Malay Archipelago, &c. 



The Fodder Grasses of Northern India. 



— Mr. Duthie, the Director of the Botanical Depart- 



the Genera Plantarum of Bentham and Hooker. 

 Each species is described botanically, its use, and the 

 method of cultivation being also indicated. The native 

 names are added, as well as indices and appendices ; so 

 that the book is very complete, and Mr. Duthie's re- 

 putation is a guarantee of its correctness. The text is 

 accompanied by a series of quarto illustrations, which 

 being Nature-printed convey an accurate idea of the 

 general appearance of each plant, though the like- 



CROPS IN CORNWALL.— Those who do not pos- 

 sess a practical knowledge of the subject (remarks 

 the Cornisshman) have asserted that the recent sur- 

 plusage of rain has had some good results ; it has 

 furnished an abundant supply of grass, and favoured 

 roots and Broccoli. Not only is grass plentiful at 

 the expense of nutrition, but Mangels and Turnips 

 have too much moisture, and do not look half so 

 promising as if there was more sunshine and warmth. 



