170 
THE FLORIST’S JOURNAL. 
on these, to me, interesting subjects. I would gladly be a con¬ 
tributor if I had anything worthy of your notice to present; what 
I may do in this way, however, will be chiefly in the shape of 
questions. 
As a subscriber and sincere well-wisher to the work, I beg 
leave to avail myself of the privilege usually allowed to a friend, 
viz., that of giving advice ; and at the same time would re¬ 
spectfully recommend that, in all future details relative to the 
general subject, whether descriptive or critical, there should be 
nothing ambiguous or hypercritical, and so plain, that “ he who 
runs may read.” 
I am led to make this remark from having observed, in your 
very able expose of the published report concerning the Royal 
Gardens of Kew, some assertions which I really do not clearly 
understand. At page 79 of the Supplement to the July number, 
is the following passage :—“ The species of plants are as old as 
the creation ; and, though Dr. Lindley, somewhere in his multipli- 
cated writings, hints that there is a sort of subnormal or semi- 
organic matter which lingers on the margin, waiting the wind,— 
and if the said wind shall blow it landward, it becomes a lichen, 
but if seaward, lo and behold it is a fucus !” 
Now, I would beg to ask, what is the meaning of this passage ? 
Is it possible that Dr. Lindley, or any other botanist, can suppose 
that organic matter can have extraneous existence ? or that any 
body, whether fluid or solid (however plastic the latter may be), can, 
under any circumstances of heat, air, or moisture, affecting them, 
be changed from an unorganic to an organic state ? 
A little illustration of this passage, from your own pen, will very 
much oblige me, as well as several others, your readers, who are 
doubtful about it. Tyro. 
From respect to our correspondent, “ Tyro,” as well as from 
the importance of the subject to which he alludes, we shall offer 
one or two short observations upon the “ Philosophy of Flori¬ 
culture.” 
This is a subject, of the importance of which comparatively few 
practical florists, whether professional or amateur, seem to be 
aware ; and it is doubtful, considering the great difference among 
“ the Doctors,” whether even they understand very much about 
it. Upon every subject, be it what it may, there is only one 
