SCIENTIFIC SUMMARY. 
313 
employed, and with certainly inferior observing skill ? Let Mr. Joynson’s 
own answer be taken. “ These drawings,” he says, “in conjunction with 
those previously sent, prove beyond doubt that the 1 band ’ and the wine- 
glass-shaped channel ’ from it, are permanent features of the planet ; and 
that any apparent change in them arises from the various aspects that are 
presented by the planet itself, as seen from the Earth ” — facts which were 
ancient before Mr. Joynson was born. 
Comets which will be visible during the approaching Quarter. — In the 
“ Monthly Notices of the Astronomical Society ” Mr. Hind gives elements of 
Tuttle’s comet from September 1, and of Encke’s comet from August 21. 
As we have already somewhat exceeded our usual space, we do not here 
quote these elements; it is the less necessary that we should do so, as doubt- 
less all who are likely to study these two objects will receive (or have 
already received) copies of the elements from Mr. Hind himself. 
The Planets during the ensuing Quarter. — Venus is now very favourably 
situated for observation, and will continue to be so for some time ; she will 
attain her greatest brightness as an evening star in August. Neither Mars, 
Jupiter, nor Saturn will be well situated for observation during the next 
quarter. 
BOTANY. 
A Climbing Fern . — This plant ( Lygodium palmatum ) exists and flourishes 
in its wild state within the borders of “ old Essex,” U.S. The writer in the 
“American Naturalist ” discovered this rare and attractive plant in 1869, 
while exploring “Lynn Woods,” in the vicinity of the famous “Penny 
Bridge.” The locality of its haunt is within the limits of Saugus, and not 
far from that romantic spot known as the Pirates’ Glen. Specimens have 
been obtained having a stalk or “vine ” nearly four feet in length. “As the 
climbing fern is one of the most rare, graceful, and attractive plants found 
in this country, it is a matter of satisfaction to know that we have it grow- 
ing in our woodland valleys.” This fern has been found, though rarely, in 
Florida, Kentucky, and Massachussets. In Virginia it is often seen, and it 
has been found in several other localities. 
Botanical Gardens of Europe . — It seems, from certain recently published 
statements regarding the time at which the several principal gardens were 
established, that the first one was that of Padua, in 1545, followed by that of 
Pisa. Those of Leyden and Leipsig date respectively 1577 and 1579. The 
Montpelier garden was founded in 1593 ; that of Giessen in 1605 ; of Stras- 
burg, in 1620 ; of Alford, in 1625; and of Jena, in 1629. The Jardin des 
Plantes, at Paris, was established in 1626, and the Upsal garden in 1627 ; 
that of Madrid dates from 1763 ; and that of Coimbra from 1773. At the 
close of the eighteenth century, according to Gesner, more than 1,600 
kindred establishments existed in Europe. England comes late upon the 
list, the Oxford garden not having been founded until 1632, and long re- 
maining the only one in the kingdom. 
A Peculiar Ink-plant. — The “ Pall Mall Gazette ” states that there is in 
New Granada a plant, Coryaria thymifolia, which might be dangerous to 
