DESCRIPTIVE LIST OF FLOWERING SHRUBS. 403 
A singular fashion prevailed many years since, to cut 
and clip Box trees into the shape of beasts, birds and 
various fantastical forms. ‘“‘This preposterous taste in 
gardening was at last reformed by the pure and classic 
taste of Bacon, who, though no enemy to sculpture, did 
not approve of this absurd species of it, at once disfigur- 
ing art and nature.” The Yew and other trees, were also 
tortured in this strange fanciful way. I noticed in an old 
garden, a few miles from Boston, a small parterre, which 
was laid out in the year 1794; the beds were all edged 
with box, which had, for more than 60 years, been regu-. 
larly trimmed. The edging was about six inches thick, 
and at least four feet high. The sides were smooth and 
the top even, without any break in the foliage from the, 
ground to the top. Great attention had been given it by 
the old lady who was in possession, that it might remain 
as it was at the time of her husband’s decease, many 
years before. The beds of various shapes were small, 80 
that no plants could flourish, and the only thing of inter- 
est about this strange arrangement was, as a relic of 
olden time. If Box is used for edging, it should, in all 
cases, be kept low, by regular trimming every year, and 
kept. down to the height of not more than four or five 
inches; and when it becomes too thick, should be taken 
up and re-set. 
CALYCANTHUS,—Caroxrina ALLSPICE. 
[Name from the Greek words for cup and flower, from the colored cup which 
contains the stamens and pistils.} 
Calycanthus fléridus.—Carolina Allspice, Sweet-scented 
Shrub.—This well-known shrub grows from three to five 
feet high, and bears from June to August a profusion of 
dark brownish-purple flowers, which have the odor of ripe 
