BOTANICAL INDEX 
107 
feet in height; in the spring, while still leafless, it is one mass of scarlet. The other 
is a small plant and has also scarlet flowers, but they bloom in the autumn. Anoth- 
er variety which grows up-country in the Queenstown district, grows a dense but 
thorny bush, which is known as the Cat-thorn, as the thorns are very like cat’s 
claws. This variety dies down to the root-stock every winter. The roots are very 
large, six inches or more in diameter, and of a ash-like substance. 
Gladiolus-like plants are very numerous. The Red Watsonia lately figured in the 
English ‘garden’ covering hundreds of acres. 
One notable feature in all the ‘Kloops’ or bushy ravines, is the Giant Euphorbia, 
growing to the hightof 30 feet, looking very much like an immense Cactus, but con- 
taining a very acrid, milky juice, which is as yet only used as a blister for stock, but 
may some day be utilized as an Indian rubber. The flowers are small, yellow and 
inconspicuous, but in their season the honey of the wild bees is apt to be uneatably 
hot and acrid. 
Pelargoniums, one of the glories of the South African flora, are by no means 
plentiful in this part; a few of the herbaceous and tuberous-rooted section together 
with one ivy-leaved variety being all that are found here. In the Western district 
of the Colony they are much more numerous and varied. It is the same with regard 
to Heaths; only one, a scarlet flowering variety, being found here, while from Gra- 
hamstown westward they become very numerous and varied. 
In the last number of the Index, I see a description and cuts of the Japanese 
Quince. I have had the plant a number of years, but the climate does not seem to 
suit it as it grows but little, flowers less, and never fruits at all. 
I remain, Dear Sir, Yours Truly, HENRY GOLDING. 
Wellington, New Zealand, July 14th, 1880. 
My Dear Sir: Many thanks for your kind letter and copy of your January num- 
ber of the Botanical Index, as I think it a very useful publication, and will en- 
deavor to find a means of remitting the subscription. We do not have many Liliacse 
here. I enclose you some seed of the native Lily ringaringa, Arthropodium cirrratum. 
It bears small flowers in large clusters, and is very pretty. I also enclose a little 
seed of an Ourisia, which I discovered in the interior when traveling near a water- 
fall, and I find it requires plenty of water and shade. My work here is endeavoring • 
to introduce and acclimatise new fruits and medicinal plants, and I am anxious to 
obtain all the fruit-bearing trees I can from your favored country, as I believe many 
of them could be introduced with great advantage here. All the walnuts and hick- 
ories would, I feel satisfied, succeed. I also want the cranberries and numerous 
blackberries, black-cap raspberries, and indeed any seeds I can obtain. We have 
many fine evergreen trees but no native fruits worth cultivation that I have tried. 
Several bear an edible berry. The Kiekie, Freycinetia Yanksii, a very lofty climber, 
bears the best edible fruit, but the seed is very difficult to obtain. 
I am, My Dear Sir, Yours Faithfully, WM. CURL, M. D. 
Monplaisir, Lyon, France, 27th October, 1880. 
To Mr. L. B. Case, Richmond — Dear Sir: Your paper at hand. * * * You 
have most likely been informed that a Postal Congress was held in Paris on the 9th 
of this month, at which assisted delegates of all the European powers. The object 
was to discuss the convenience of increasing the size and weight of parcels sent by 
post. And, although the result is not yet published, it is certain that a great im- 
provement has been agreed upon. This will be favorable to Horticulture, as the cost 
of sending small parcels prevailing is relatively great. It is only a pity that there 
were no American delegates. But it is to be hoped that your Government will ad- 
here to the convention. As soon I shall know the new tax I will inform you of it, 
expecting that you will make it known and plead warmly for its adoption for your 
country. 
Be pleased not to forget that one of my sons grows Roses for sale, and that it is 
now the time to send orders. You know, as before said, that the Roses grown here 
are budded in autumn'bv dormant buds, on the seedling brier of one year old, and 
left for one year growing in the open air, which makes of them very stout plants, 
but for immediate plantation and also for pot culture, and in both respects preferable 
to young plants on their own bottoms from cuttings. They also stand a long jour- 
ney much better. I have lost all the young roses I received from your country per 
mail, although carefully packed and good care was taken of them pn their arrival; 
and although Peter Henderson sent me three times American banner, I do not yet 
possess it. All the roses mjr son sent to different parties in your country arrived 
safe and thrived perfectly. 
Hoping to hear from you soon, I remain, Yours Devotedly, 
JEAN SISLEY. 
