HORTICULTTBAL SOCIETY OF LOXDON. 



53 



There was also read a notice, by Mr. Robert Thompson, of a 

 new /\ ariety of Plum, called the Rotjale hdtice. The author 

 stated, that although a purple Plum, matching: in point of flavour 

 the Green Gage, had already been discovered in the Reine Claude 

 A'iolette, yet that it had stiU remained an object of importanc-e 

 to procure new varieties of equal excellence, whose period of ma- 

 turity should be different. This had now been, in one re?pect, 

 attained by the discovery of the variety in question. It was re- 

 ceived into the Society's Collection from the Nursery of M. 

 Noisette, of Paris, and fruited for the first time this season. 

 It is mentioned in the Almanack du Bon Jardinier and in 

 Xoisettes Manuel, p. 494, where it is described, as a large violet 

 fruit, with a flavour resembling that of the Reine Claude Vio- 

 lette. It appears to be quite distinct from even.- other variety, 

 except perhaps one called Miriam, of which scions had been 

 received from M. Stoffels of Mechlin, and which will probably 

 be found s%-non}-mous, in which case the name proposed by ]Mr. 

 Stoffels would have to be adopted. 



The author described the variety in the following terms ; 

 Fruit fully larger than that of the Reine Claude Violet te, to 

 which in apj)earance and flavour it has great resemblance. In 

 form it is roundish : the few specimens examined were rather 

 broader next the stalk, which is about half an inch in length, 

 thick, and not inserted in a hollow. Skin purple, dotted and 

 traced with a golden brown. Flesh yellow, slightly adhering 

 to the stone, but parting from it when well ripened. Flavour 

 exceedingly rich. Stone small, ovate, compressed. Shoots very 

 downy ; leaves slightly pubescent above : two characters which 

 will always prevent its being confounded with the Reine Claude 

 Violette, the shoots and leaves of which are smooth. It ripens 

 about a fortnight, or three weeks, before the Reine Claude 

 Violette and Green Gage. The Vice Secretary stated, that although 

 he could not say that this new variety equalled the Green Gage, 

 yet that it was undoubtedly one of very great excellence. 



The following objects were exhibited ; 



From James Bateman, Esq., F.H.S., a specimen of Masillaria 

 Colleyi, a new and very rare epiphyte, of no beauty, nearly re- 

 lated to M. squalens. It was discovered by Mr. Colley, Mr. 

 Bateman s Collector in Demerara, and had a disagreeable smell 

 of ripe Melons. It has been described in the Botanical Register 

 for 1S3S. Misc. No. 16 1 . 



From Mr. John Davis, Gardener to Sir Simon Clark, Bart. 

 F.H.S., some very fine fruit, consisting of two Black Jamaica, 

 and one Queen Pine Apple, and Muscat of Alexandria Grapes ; 

 also a beautiful specimen of the graceful Russelia juncea. 



From Mr. James Lane, Gardener to J. H. Palmer, Esq., F.H.S., 

 some very beautiful Black Hamburgh Grapes. 



