protection and dissemination in an erect, the other 
in a pendulous position, irrespective of the weight 
of the seed. 
Silene pendula has a glandular surface, but not 
much viscidity ; it is a showy, useful, annual ; especi- 
ally for filling up nooks in the front of a shrubbery ; 
where it may be sown even under the shrubs with 
freedom. It will carpet such spaces, with an unar- 
tifical gaiety, as if Nature herself had bestowed on 
the spot, more than common attention. It con- 
tinues long in flower, and from the scattered seeds 
of autumn, we have seen an abundant crop of early 
flowering plants in the following season ; and not 
the less pleasing from being somewhat crowded and 
thereby dwarfed. It may also have a place on arti- 
ficial rock-work ; or in patches, near the front of the 
mingled flower border. As well as being a native 
of Sicily, it is also a native of Cyprus and Italy ; 
and about Rome, many of the banks are decorated 
with its gay pink flowers. It loves a dry light soil, 
but yet may be grown in almost any situation. 
The viscid exudation from the different species 
of Silene, is not, as we are aware of, employed for 
any useful purpose. That substance which is gath- 
ered as an exudation from trees, and which seems 
to have been the most important to man, both in 
ancient and modern times, is manna. We venture 
no opinion as to what the manna of the Israelites 
was, or how it was provided for their sustenance, 
during forty years, but of the fact we are assured. 
This is produced by many species of trees; and in 
warm climates, it appears that our own Ash-tree is 
amongst the number. 
