1837.] On the Growth of Plants without exposure to open Air. 345 



The two boxes entrusted to my care, containing ferns, mosses, grasses* 

 &c, are now on the poop o{ the ship (where they have been all the 

 voyage), and the plants (with the exception of two or three ferns, which 

 appear to have faded) are all alive and vigorous. 



During the very hot weather near the equator, I gave them once a 

 light sprinkling of water ; and that is all they have received during the 

 passage. 



All the plants have grown a great deal, particularly the grasses, 

 which have been attempting to push the top of the box off. 



I shall carry them forward to Sydney, according to your instructions, 

 and have no doubt of delivering them into the hands of Mr, Cunning- 

 ham in the same flourishing state as they are at present. 



Allow me, in conclusion, to offer you my warm congratulations upon 

 the success of this simple but beautiful discovery for the preservation of 

 plants in the living state upon the longest voyages ; and I feel not a 

 little pride in having been the instrument by which the truth of your 

 new principle has been fully proved by experiment. 



I am, Sir, &c. &c, 



Charles Mallard. 



Barque Persian, at Sydney, Jan. 18th, 1834. 

 Sir, — I have the happiness to inform you, that the plants (ferns, 

 mosses, &c.) contained in the two glazed cases entrusted to my care, 

 were landed here at the Botanical Garden, about three weeks ago, near« 

 ly the whole of them alive and flourishing. They have since been trans- 

 planted by Mr. M'Lean, who has charge of the garden in the absence of 

 Mr. Cunningham (gone to New Zealand botanizing), and are all doing 

 well. 



The complete success of your interesting experiment has been decid- 

 edly proved ; and whilst offering you my congratulations upon this 

 agreeable result, I cannot but feel some little degree of pride and plea- 

 sure in having been the instrument selected to put to the proof so im- 

 portant a discovery to the botanical world. 



I am, Sir, &c. &c, 



Charles Mallard. 



P. S. I ought to have mentioned that, during the voyage, the plants 

 were watered but once, and that but a light sprinkling near the equator, 

 and were on deck (on the poop) the whole passage. 



Cairo, April 30, 1835. 

 Sir, — I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of 2d ultimo, 

 wherein you request information as to the state of the plants sent out 

 by you in the Nile steamer. The collection consisted,. I believe, of 173 



