372 THE FLORIST AND 



passage is to show that, on some points, Br. Leidy's work contains informa- 

 tion and illustrations superior to what is presented by the popular publica- 

 tion of Dr. Robin. We beg too, to observe that at the time our notice was 

 written, we had read every word of Dr. Leidy's book, and had gone through 

 that of Dr. Robin page by page with a view to ascertain what additions had 

 been made in his second edition. If, therefore, we have erred, it has been 

 with our eyes open. If we had reason to believe that we had given the 

 slightest pain to Dr. Leidy, we should at once write to him personally to ex- 

 press our regret ; for we have received too many kindnesses from American 

 botanists, and are in too intimate relation with several, to wish to give a 

 moment's dissatisfaction where we have met with nothing but the most kind 

 and honorable feeling, without a particle of captiousness or jealousy — a 

 fact to which we have more than once borne testimony in this journal, as also 

 to the rapid strides which every branch of botany is making in the United 

 States ; and those American botanists, such as Asa Gray, who know most 

 of England, are well aware that such kind feelings are universal amongst 

 those who are most worthy of estimation for diligence and talent. Much as 

 we admire genuine patriotism, we have no sympathy for the man of science, 

 however great his abilities may be, who confines his powers of vision to his 

 own horizon, and will acknowledge no merit with which he is not personally 

 or nationally identified. — Qard, Chron. 



THE CLIMATE OF THE CRIMEA. 



In the Gardener's Chronicle we find the following account of the 

 climate of this, at present, interesting place : 



A more trustworthy account of the South Crimea, is to be found in the 

 writings of Pallas, the great Russian Botanist who lived at Akmetshet, 

 or, as it is now called Sympheropol. In one of his works this author says : 



" The mildest and most fruitful region in all the Russian Empire is, that 

 continuation of valleys arranged in a natural amphitheatre, at the southern 

 base of Taurida, (the Crimea), along the coasts of the Black Sea. The 

 climate is little different from that of Anatolia and Asia Minor ; winter 

 is hardly felt, the Primrose and the Crocus appear above the ground 

 in the month of January, and the Oak retains its green foliage throughout 

 the year. No part of Taurida, perhaps of the whole empire, affords the 

 botanist a greater variety of plants, or the husbandman a richer harvest. 

 The ever-verdant Laurel grows beside the Olive, the Pomegranate, the Fig, 



