September 12. 
THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 
451 
appearance in the “miscellaneous” class, may, for the 
present, be omitted in the enquiry now before us. 
Those already mentioned are, confessedly, the great 
divisions of the species; and, if we are not mistaken, 
the remainder, Silk fowls, and one or two others, at the 
utmost, alone excepted, it will be difficult to make out 
their claim to any distinct and separate origin. 
Polish and the Spangled Hamburghs are, therefore’ 
the cases where the principle of geographical disposition 
fails to warrant the names of our fowls. Many and 
laboured have been the efforts to assign the primitive 
abode of the former; but, however plausible and ingeni¬ 
ous, none have hitherto carried conviction to our own 
mind; and a majority of those who have turned their 
thoughts to the same subject are probably of the like 
opinion. But the main object of any name applied to 
any object, animate or inanimate, is to specify and 
distinguish it from others; if, indeed, the name so given 
has a manifest tendency to mislead to important erro¬ 
neous conclusions, a grave objection is at once evident, 
and proof of a more accurate designation should at once 
cause the disuse of the misnomer. But, as before said, 
unless we substitute “ tuftecl fowls" for Polish, and, 
perhaps, “ rose-combed , spangled fowls" for the present 
Spangled Hamburghs, we see no solution for our diffi¬ 
culty ; and if this be done, geographical disposition 
ceases to be our guide. 
In these remarks, the opinions of a gentleman, a fre¬ 
quent and valued contributor to these columns, are not 
forgotten, or in any way slightingly passed over. Mr. 
Brent, indeed, however on this point we may happen to 
hold views adverse to those so ably advocated by him 
on several recent occasions, has well earned, and deserv¬ 
edly receives, our best attention for the result of his 
many years experience. Few, indeed, we have good 
reason to believe, have more carefully studied the his¬ 
tory of the domestic fowl, and none have ever drawn 
their inferences more impartially. One result of the 
observations of this gentleman lias induced him to 
draw a distinction between the Polish fowl, and what he 
terms, the Tufted Hamburgh, including, under the latter 
designation, all the bearded Polish. To this our assent 
cannot be given, convinced, as we are, that objections 
of at least equal weight may be urged against the ap¬ 
plication of the name “ Hamburgh ” to any top-knotted 
fowl, as exist against its present use in the classes now 
so called. 
An accurate designation of a species, either animate 
or inanimate, has frequently been unattainable till 
after many changes and revisions. Botany, and other 
sciences, afford us many instances of such alterations; 
we need not, therefore, be surprised if the “ nomenclature 
of fowls" a subject on which general attention has only 
so recently been bestowed, should, as yet, labour under 
the same difficulty. 
Efforts, however, have been made of late to reduce 
the previously confused and contradictory system to 
some degree of order, and the assent of an overwhelm¬ 
ing majority of Poultry Societies has been accorded to 
the classification promulgated at Birmingham. Nor 
do we'see how any better example could have been 
followed. 
Our decided impression, from all that has been 
advanced on this subject, points to the retention of the 
present system, founded on geographical disposition as 
the basis for the nomenclature of fowls; some modifica¬ 
tions, it is true, may be desirable, and, in certain cases, 
the evidence may not be altogether satisfactory as to the 
original locality. We look around, however, in vain, for 
any other better principle of classification, and, further¬ 
more, confidently anticipate that the care that is now 
being bestowed on the points of merit of the different 
breeds will also conduce to the most correct nomen¬ 
clature, for which authorities may be attainable.—W. 
The monthly Meeting of the British Pomological 
Society took place, at their Rooms, 20, Bedford Street, 
Covent Garden, on the 4th instant. The meeting was 
chiefly employed in considering the Rules proposed by 
the sub-Committee appointed at a previous meeting. 
Some slight alterations, expressing more fully the 
intentions of the Society, were adopted; several new 
members were proposed for election, and an Exhibition 
of Fruit early in November next was determined upon. 
Of this fuller particulars will be advertised. 
The Society meets the first Monday in overy month; 
and we recommend any one seeking for reliable inform¬ 
ation about fruits, or having any pomological facts to 
communicate, to write to one of the Secretaries, directed 
as above. The Rules are now printed, and may be had 
free of cost if applied for similarly. 
FLOWERS, FLOWER MASSES, &c. 
Before I offer a few straggling thoughts on such 
matters, I am strongly reminded of the truth of an old 
saying, viz.,— 
“ The difference is as great between 
The optics seeing as the objects seen.” 
And, verily, if this applies to anything it does to flower- 
gardening. Let us suppose a dozen first-rate men each 
to arrange the colour and style ot a garden devoted to 
the grouping system ; men, who, to a thorough practical 
knowledge of plants, added correct taste, refined by 
the study of the principles of harmony, contrast, &c. 
Would any two of their plans agree ? I think not: and 
why? Is it because of the multiplicity of flowers 
considered eligible? No: for, granted that they were 
all confined to a given selection, yet, it is almost certain 
that no two of their plans would be similar. If this be 
true, it plainly shows, that what is called taste, in these 
things, is of so erratic a character—I had almost said 
capricious—that, in spite of recognized principles, the 
mind desires and enjoys a kind of truant playfulness, 
which, when dominant, speedily thrusts aside cramped, 
or starchy notions, albeit, dignified by the high sanction 
of science. This, indeed, is no marvel, when we try 
a parallelism between this taste and that for poesy. 
What two literary characters ever handled the same 
subject alike, although ever so well agreed about the 
chief principles of composition and style ? The fact is, 
“many men, many minds;” and in all these things 
the subject takes a colouring from the peculiar bent, or 
make, of mind of the party. And such it is that gives 
a chequered impress to all human affairs, without which, 
even the highest order of science would become insipid, 
