238 
THE FLOBIST AND POMOLOGIST. 
[ October, 
did last year, kept their relative positions, the heaviest by 2 lb. coming from Mr. Curror, 
gardener to G. Douglas, Esq., Eskbank, Dalkeith, whose bunch of white grapes, cut from 
the same vino as last year, weighed 161b. 2 oz. Last year this was said to be the Raisin de 
Calabre, but Mr. Barron, one of our best authorities, who has since seen the vine, affirms that 
it is Trebbiano. The show of Grapes was altogether something wonderful in extent, and the 
quality in most cases all that could be desired. Mr. Johnstone, gardener to the Earl of 
Strathmore, Glamis Castle, had the best large collection. We are pleased to learn that the 
financial result of the Exhibition has proved highly satisfactory. Despite unfavourable 
weather, it was visited during the three days by 32,000 persons, and the money taken at the 
gates amounted to £1,060. The sums paid to the managers of the Dundee Horticultural 
Society (under whose auspices the show was held) for membership tickets was £340, and 
donations were received from friends to the amount of £300, making a total sum of £1,700, 
of which, after paying prize-money to the amount of £1,013 Is., and other expenses, there 
will be a satisfactory balance remaining. 
- Kn 1865 the Eoyal Horticultural Society commenced forming a 
collection of Insects injurious to Agriculture and Horticulture, This was at first 
accommodated in the South Kensington Museum, and was afterwards transferred to 
Bethnal Green, where it has now acquired some importance. The collection is displayed in 
glazed cases, 32 in. by 24 in., suspended on screens like pictures. Some cases are devoted to 
the illustration of mosquitos, flies, and hots that worry, and the parasities that infest different 
races of man and domesticated and wild animals. Others are occupied with sections of 
branches and trunks of trees and foliage, showing the way in which timber is injured by 
boring insects, or the leaves damaged by saw-flies and gall-makers. Others illustrate the 
damages to fruit trees, Roses, and other flowering and ornamental trees, to Cabbage, Potato, 
CaiTot, and Turnip crops, and other garden and field produce, and the cereals. Crops that 
are the care of colonists as well as the staple agricultural produce of other nations are, as far 
as information is obtainable, included in the collection. In most instances, and notably in 
such cases as the leopard-moth and the tiger-moth, there are illustrations of the different 
stages of the development of the insect. The household moths which affect clothing and 
furniture, destroyers of books and leather-work, cockroaches, blow-flies, and other household 
pests, are all represented. There are many groups of insects that are the friends of man in the 
sense that their natural food consists of the insects that are his enemies. These are specially 
distinguished, for their ready recognition by the farmer and horticulturist is important, so 
that care may be taken to avoid their destruction. There are also some frames devoted^ to 
special subjects, such as the insects that damage drugs, and those that are used in medicine 
and in the arts, &c. One special feature throughout is the way in which insects and insect 
damages that require microscopic examination are faithfully given by Mr. Andrew Murray’s 
highly-finished water-colour drawings. 
- 3In a paper by G. Haberlandt, on tbe Winter Colour of Evergreen 
Leaves,, recently communicated to tbe Imperial Academy of Sciences of Vienna, 
it is stated, according to tbe Botanische Zeitung,, that tbe phenomena of discoloration 
of the leaves of Evergreens depend upon three different physiological processes. Yellow-colouring 
is a consequence of the destruction of the chlorophyll (green colouring-matter) present, and 
the absence of any newly-formed; the cause of the destruction of the chlorophyll being light. 
Brown-colouring is brought about by the formation of brown-yellow colouring matter from 
the chlorophyll. The immediate cause of this kind of discoloration is cold, whilst light simply 
affects the conditions necessary before this can take place. These conditions consist of the 
appearance of certain substances which modify or change the chlorophyll, but which have 
no effect upon it until frost comes. The returning green of spring can only be explained by 
the disappearance of the brown-colouring matter, for in reality only a small portion of the 
chlorophyll is thus transformed. Red-colouring may be attributed to the production of a 
substance named anthokyan. This takes place independently or under the influence of light, 
and is essentially due to the cessation of growth. Apparent transitions between these three 
different kinds of colouring, especially from yellow to brown, arise from combinations. 
- ®HE Cucumber Marrow,, a new variety introduced by M. Jean Sisley, 
of Lyons, is said to be remarkable for tbe length of its fruits, wbicb are green in 
colour, and most delicious eating. Old fruits it appears can be cooked and made 
as tender as young ones. Tbe rind is particularly tbin and tender. 
