142 
S O CIETIES H O RTIC IT LT U R E. 
Civet-Cat Durion Tree, Durio zibethinus, is a native of the East Indies, 
where it grows to a great tree. The fruit is about the size of a man’s head. It 
is said to be the most delicious of all the fruits of India. The eatable part of it 
is that aril-like substance which contains the kernels, and which most resembles 
cream, or the blanc mange of our tables. But a considerable draw-back from 
the extreme gratification it affords to the palate of the Epicurean, is its intolera¬ 
ble stench. Even the rinds emit such an offensive effluvia, that at Amboyna> 
as Rumphius and Valentine state, it is forbidden by the law to throw them out 
near any public path. Some compare this smell to that of putrid animal sub¬ 
stances, others to that of rotten onions; but all agree that if the first repugnance 
is once overcome, no fruit is more enticing than the Durion. It is also used as 
a bait to entrap the Civet-Cat, which is very fond of it; hence the specific 
name.— Don’s Miller’s Dictionary. 
III.- SOCIETIES. 
CONNECTED WITH HORTICULTURE AND NATURAL HISTORY. 
LONDON HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
At the Meeting on the 3rd of December, papers were read containing an account and particu¬ 
lars respecting the mode of cultivation of the much esteemed Indian fruit A verrhoa Caram- 
bola,” by James Bateman, Esq. and “Observations and Discoveries connected with the culture 
of Melons,” by the Author of the Domestic Gardeners’ Manual. 
The Exhibition contained many articles of beauty and interest, especially very fine speci¬ 
mens of Cactus and Pereskia, Justicia, Gloxinia caulescens, Buddlea Madagascariensis, and 
Stvelitzia. Fruit of Physalis peruviana, Gongora atsopurpurea, Averrhoa Carambola, and a 
seedling pine apple. “ White Blossom” Potatoe (weight 21b. 6oz ) Some very 
good seedling Chrysanthemums, and upwards of forty handsome sorts of apple 
were among the other articles on the table. 
The annexed Figure bears some resemblance to the head of a hoe receiv¬ 
ed by the Society some time ago from Jersey, and described as being particularly 
useful in hoeing drill crops, beds of onions, See. the shoulders of the ring pre¬ 
venting the plants from being injured. 
LONDON HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
Th e Meeting for January took place on the 21st, when papers on the following subjects were 
read; viz. a Description of anew invented Portable Hot-Water Apparatus; By Mr. Joshua 
Major, of Knowstrop, near Leeds. Notes on the growth, under different circumstances, of the 
Oxalis crenata, by Mr. T. Corbett; and a Report by the Secretary on some of the most remark¬ 
able hardy ornamental plants raised in the Society’s Garden, from seeds received from Mr. D. 
Douglas, in the years 1831, 1832, and 1833. Mr. Major’s reduction of the Hot-Water System 
to the form he has adopted, was clearly shewn by a Model accompanying the communication, 
and from his statements, it appears likely to be serviceable in Conservatories, Greenhouses, 
and other places when heat is only occasionally wanted. The collections of Camellias exhi¬ 
bited, presented a very beautiful appearance; those from the gardens of Mr. Allnutt, of Clap- 
ham, and the Society’s Gardens, were much admired, and flowers of the Astrapsea Wallichii, 
Strelitzia regina, and varieties of Narcissus, Cypripedium, B’lbergia, Neottia, Epacris, Correa, 
See. contributed largely to the attraction. Specimens of Tallies in Brown Stone Ware, mould¬ 
ed with numbers, &c. on them, were on the tables, the durability and low price of which ren¬ 
dered them well worthy of notice. A new part of the Transactions of the Society was distribu¬ 
ted to the Members. 
