MR. FISH’S REJOINDER TO THE EDITOR. 
.339 
which have a large system of delicate, fibrous roots—so quickly perish¬ 
able if once they get thoroughly dry. 
The best season for shipping plants from China to Europe is the 
autumn, or as soon as their summer growth is over, because they would 
have a chance of passing the Straits of Sunda before their regular sea¬ 
sonal growth commenced; and if they were excited by the higher 
temperature of that region, they would be soon again in a cooler 
climate in doubling the Cape, which would tend to check rather than 
advance their growth ; and they would be at St. Helena in their own 
spring, whence they might reach Europe in good condition. 
Leaving China in spring, we consider the most inauspicious season, 
because their natural growth has already begun, and passing so rapidly 
into midsummer heat deranges the balance which should subsist 
between the roots and head; and hence the exhaustion and failure of 
the latter. 
Having already mentioned the names of the plants we purchased at 
Canton, it is unnecessary to repeat them here ; and though many addi¬ 
tions of Chinese plants have been subsequently introduced by other 
collectors, we are of opinion that hundreds of fine plants are natives 
of that vast empire, which are yet to be discovered and added to our 
collections. 
In looking over this account of our voyage and its results, we appre¬ 
hend that rather too much egotism will be observed to prevail in it, 
though we have suppressed many personal adventures and observations 
which might have been, but not fairly, brought in. Though barren of 
instruction, it may afford a little information on subjects not quite 
foreign to the plan of the Register ; and if amusement also, our motive 
for writing it is answered. J. M. 
My dear. Sir, —I have been so engaged lately, that it has been out 
of my power to pay a suitable attention to your interesting letter. 
Accept, however, at this late period, my sincere thanks for the manner 
in which you have acted in endeavouring to establish your own propo¬ 
sitions, and controvert what you are pleased to term my “ preposses¬ 
sions.” That I should be destitute of a feeling which more or less 
is common to humanity, would indeed be a wonder j but I beg to 
assure you that you are not the individual whose sentiments I should 
be very likely to be prejudiced against. In common with many more, 
I have long regarded you as one of the best practical phytologists of the 
day; and may also mention, that some of your papers in the Gardeners’ 
Magazine first impressed me with the importance of studying the prin¬ 
ciples of vegetable development. However deficient, therefore, I may 
