SOI 
Natural Histofy-^Botany. 
this fungus vegetated and produced new fungi when they were 
placed in fresh snow* He ascertained that they vegetated in water 
alone, but in this case they produced green in place of red glo- 
bules. The original fungi were killed by exposure to excessive 
cold ; but their seeds retained vitality, and when immersed in, 
snow, regenerated new fungi, generally of a red colour. 
27. Description of Rare Plants in the Botanic Garden at 
Beflin.—The first number of a description of the rare plants 
growing in the Botanic Garden at Berlin has just appeared, un- 
der the auspices of the minister who presides over the scientific 
department. The plates are coloured, and the arrangement of 
the whole is like that of Andrews’ Repository. 
28. Suddefi change qf Habit in an exotic Plant. — Three 
years ago, Sir G. S. Mackenzie received from Mr Macnab, of 
the Botanic Garden at Edinburgh, a plant of the Tritoma 
media., a native of the Cape of Good Hope. This plant was re- 
markable for coming into flower at the beginning of our winter, 
which is the summer of its native climate, and continuing in 
flower sometimes till the middle of May. Last year. Sir George 
Mackenzie informs us, he had occasion to take up his plant to 
divide the offsets. Three of them came into flower, one in Sep- 
tember, and the other two towards the end of October ; but the 
flowers were totally, destroyed by the severe frost of last win- 
ter, and two of the plants killed. A fourth offset did not 
show any flower in autumn, but continued vigorous, notwith- 
standing the frost ; and, contrary to the usual habit of the plant, 
it shot up the flower-stalk in the month of May. We should 
be glad to be informed by any persons who may possess the 
tritoma media, whether they have remarked a similar change of 
habit. 
29 . Geological Map of Germany. We understand that Ba- 
ron Leopold Von Buch has been long engaged in collecting 
materials for a geological map of Germany, to the publication 
of which mineralogists will look forward with much impatience. 
80. Mr Knight on the difference between Spring and Winter 
felled Timber. — Mr T. A. Knight has ascertained, by direct ex- 
periment, that there is a striking difference between the proper- 
ties of spring and winter felled timber ; the former absorbing 
much more moisture than the other. He is of opinion, that oak 
VOL.TTI. NO. 5. .JULY 1820, 
o 
