ON THE CULTIVATION OF CINCHONA IN ENGLAND. 
391 
in my hands a brick, I have a specimen of material by which, through adding 
brick to brick, the four walls of a house may be constructed ; but I should not 
be able thence to reason out the nature of the stirring active life which those 
boundary walls might contain. The addition of brick to brick might very well 
illustrate the phenomena of crystallization, but the activities of life within the 
plant much more resemble the course of reconstruction of a great city like Paris, 
in which an imperial will, availing itself of the all-arranging genius of a sub¬ 
ordinate functionary, acts for the good of the whole, and, caring little for the 
four walls, or for any number of them, if standing in the way of its well-devised 
projects, adapts the materials even of previous structures to the exigencies of the 
new thing that has to be produced; and who will deny that the result is admi¬ 
rable ? 
It is thus that practical experience in cultivation leads to the review of theo¬ 
ries which must be cast aside when they have served their turn, or demolished 
when they stand in the way of real science , which means knowledge, and not 
speculation. 
In the address of the President I observe with pleasure the remark that “ a 
country stroll of half an hour will yield material for thought and investigation 
available for many a day and may we not extend the application of the lines 
which he has quoted to the more difficult, but not less remunerative, objects of 
study presented by the cultivation of plants in circumstances so different to 
those of their native habitat ? The very difficulties we encounter are a source of 
pleasure in overcoming them, and enable us to appreciate more fully that infinitely 
varied Wisdom which has appointed everything beautiful in its season, and all 
things in measure and number and weight. Ne quid nimis is a golden rule for 
every one that attempts to cultivate the cinchonse under glass. To neglect this 
would be to ensure failure in the undertaking. 
The Chairman said they were deeply indebted to Mr. Howard for the valu¬ 
able and interesting paper with which he had favoured them on this occasion, 
and he asked the meeting to award him their hearty thanks for it. In addition 
to the paper which they had listened to with so much interest, Mr. Howard re¬ 
quested their acceptance of some beautiful photographs of living cinchonas, 
which would be valuable in their Museum. The paper had no doubt suggested 
subjects which the gentlemen present might feel disposed to discuss, and he 
should be very glad to hear any remarks upon the subject. 
Professor Bentley asked Mr. Howard whether, in growing the plants before 
them, he had adopted any plan for the alteration of light? That was perhaps 
one of the most interesting matters connected with plants altogether. 
Mr. Howard said he had adopted coloured glass in one of his conservatories; 
in fact, in that in which he particularly cultivated cinchonas, he had regulated 
the light generally by blinds, which were drawn down externally in the summer. 
He had noticed some things as regarded reflected lights, but he had no perfect 
observations, at present, of the extent of the action of light. 
Professor Bentley —Have you ever tried to increase fight in any way ? 
Mr. Howard replied that that was very difficult in winter. A great deal 
more remained to be found out, as regarded the effect of fight on vegetation, 
as they must all be aware, but he was not prepared to say much about it at 
present. 
The Chairman thought that this was a subject which would lead them all to 
think somewhat upon the cultivation of medicinal plants generally in this 
country. 
Dr. Attfield inquired whether Mr. Howard had brought the cinchonas of 
his own cultivation to such a state of maturity as to enable him to extract the 
