1852] THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST. 11 



(*) Cochineal used to color various materials, cheese amongst others, j»j ) 



p is procured from the Cochineal insect, which luxuriates, and hangs on W 



7 to Opuntia Cochinilifera, one of those Cacti by the way which we may \ 



see at the next annual exhibition for the society's medal ; these Cacti 



rety' 



are sharp and spiny dogs. Visnaga is not to be sneezed at, at least 

 not to be touched by the nasal organ with impunity — it was once at 

 Kew in all its deformity five tuns weight. The old fellow stank, and 

 was cast out and trodden on. 



" Imperious Ccesir dead and turned to clay- 

 May stop a hole to keep the wind away. 3 ' 



Vanilla which gives its flavor to ice cream, is obtained from the 

 seed pods of an Orchid, N. Ord. ORCHIDACEACE, a most varied 

 and interesting group of nature's most outlandish creation is these 

 same Orchid tribe. Native Botany shall have a large share of our 

 attention ; as yet the woods and wilds have not donned their vernal 

 clothing ; when such takes place we shall be there. 



Entomology. — The season unusually backward, has left our en- 

 thusiastic friends in this department nothing to communicate; any 

 stray flies which may appear, will I have no doubt fall into their traps, 

 for some of them are cute ones, and always about. Digging has not 

 been much proceeded with, therefore nothing could be observed in 

 that way — we shall see what a few weeks will do. 



Q3r* The few r Spring days brought out a few flies, and as was appre- 

 hended they are caught. Vanessa Antiopa, a butterfly, black wings, 

 with a yellow margin, seen in Fourth street below Chestnut, on the 

 15th — and a moth— Macroglossa sp., caught at Kingsessing. I shall 

 be on the look out and commmunicate from time to time. W. H. 



Agriculture. — On this important subject w-e must be brief yet 

 convinced of its paramount interest and importance, we shall 

 zealously watch for any hint calculated to benefit those who hope to 

 derive some information from our pages in connection with farming 

 operations. The interest that continues to be manifested in regard to 

 the Bureau of Agriculture, now in contemplation, gives hope to the 

 Agricultural student, of some means being provided for his improve- 

 ment and instruction. We can number amongst our best friends and 

 correspondents, Thos. Kirkpatrick, M. D., head Agricultural Inspector 

 to the Board of Education in Ireland, whose report for the year 

 1850 and 1 85 1, is now before us. John Donaghy, Esq., superinten- 

 dent Model Farm, Glasnevin, Dublin, Ireland — Alexander Campbell, 

 Horticulturist to the National Board of Education, Ireland, and many 

 others of standing in this science. Many of the men who are now 

 a in charge of Model Farms in Ireland are our personal friends, and 



: 



^ will supply information on every branch of this engrossing subject.^ 



