CALENDAR FOR APRIL. 
95 
Catasetum callosum , var. grandiflorum. This singular plant, 
of which the flowers may, I think, be likened to the body and 
legs of a great spider, is from the rich collection in Syon Gardens, 
and was received by his Grace the Duke of Northumberland from 
Columbia. Notwithstanding the large size of the blossoms, and 
the slightly dissimilar form and different colour of the lip, I fear 
it can only be considered a variety of C. callosum of Dr. Lindley; 
and I am the more confirmed in this opinion from afterwards re¬ 
ceiving from Syon a smaller state of the same plant, exactly, as it 
were, intermediate between the two. Its long pendent spikes, of 
dingy purple flowers, of which the floral coverings are singularly 
divaricated, the three upper pieces being applied to the back of 
the column, the two lower to the under side of the lip, are pro¬ 
duced in December.— Bot. Mag. 4219, 
CALENDAR FOR APRIL. 
The multiplicity of enemies with which the gardener has to 
contend, through all seasons, renders it necessary that he should 
be surrounded with as many means of keeping them in check as 
possible. One of his best aids is undoubtedly a good cat; and as 
these animals may be trained to almost any desired habit, they 
will thin intruding vermin, at the same time that any pets, even 
among birds, will be safe in their company. As an instance of 
this, an excellent cat for killing rats, &c., is yet on such good 
terms with a starling as to romp about with it, and allow it to 
take very strange liberties by poking its beak into the cat’s ears, 
eyes, and mouth, when asleep, whilst tom also shares its milk 
with the bird. A dog hardly seems in place in a garden, al¬ 
though a useful help on occasion, especially among the larger 
vermin which sometimes intrude into the garden. Hedgehogs 
are also of considerable service, especially in houses or other 
structures infested with cockroaches, beetles, &c.—such in¬ 
sects forming a considerable portion of their food. They have 
also been recommended for destroying the plantain or common 
ribgrass in walks, which they do by eating the fleshy part of the 
root just below the leaves. Snakes, again, are quite harmless, and 
destroy considerable quantities of frogs, mice, and similar small 
