Calcutta Garden. 291 



fortunately but too true with, regard to every other useful plant ; not 

 a single one that we are aware of, has ever been introduced by means of 

 the Botanic Garden of Calcutta since 1814, that could not, and would 

 not, have been introduced without it. We have no wish to undervalue 

 the institution, but if Dr. W. will mention a single useful plant for which 

 India is indebted to the Garden under his management, we shall gladly 

 notify the circumstance to our readers. 



We cannot conceive that it was ever intended to introduce foreign 

 grasses into Bengal. The question has been mooted, we believe, chiefly 

 with reference to Hindostan and our N. W. Provinces, not to a verdant 

 country like Bengal. But the whole question appears to be, whether 

 foreign grass can excel Doob grass — this is abundant throughout. India 

 during the rains and cold weather, failing partially during the season 

 of drought ; during which, it or any other grass requires irrigation, 

 which the natives are inclined in preference to apply to other objects 

 of cultivation promising a better return. 



In the 7th paragraph, Dr. Wallich states, in respect to plants 

 " yielding wood applicable to all purposes of life, large and small, as well 

 as those that are strictly ornamental and horticultural," that he believes 

 the list will be considered rich and varied. It is to be regretted that 

 Dr. Wallich did not, like Doctor Falconer, distinguish timber trees and 

 other useful plants by allusion to their properties in his list. We can 

 only discover five species, each of them indigenous plants. With 

 regard to the introduction of useful plants, Dr Wallich confesses in 

 this paragraph, that he feels much hesitation whenever the question 

 is the introduction of any new article of very momentous and exten- 

 sive cultivation, as he has not lived long enough to witness any such 

 grand improvement. This is a discouraging view of the case, which 

 may be recommended to the consideration of Dr. Royle, whose views 

 are in many respects just, and considerably opposed to those of Dr. 

 Wallich. 



In the 8th paragraph, Dr. Wallich refers particularly to the 

 riches of the ornamental plants, — to the Passion flowers, Thumbergias, 

 Euphorbia splendens, Amherstia nobilis, and Poinciana regia, " the latter 

 second only to the former" in splendour, and which, from its exquisite 

 beauty, Doctor Wallich predicts will soon become a plant of common 

 cultivation. Many plants which have been imported over and over again, 

 have resisted all the Doctor's endeavours to keep them alive. " The 

 beautiful, but so far rebellious species of Fuchsia are most particularly of 

 this description; nor will it excite surprise," says Doctor Wallich, " that 

 the whole class of Orchid ese, which justly excites the pride of gardeners 



