NOVEMBER. BEE 
crumbling away—also,, moisture is retained. for encouraging the graft. 
In England—by trusting to a slender ligature, frequently a rotten one 
—theventiré labour is lost. .»I-will.not trouble you with. Sebastian 
Munster’s reasoning on the subject or translate his methodical directions 
for ensuring fifteen sorts: of fruit, on one stem—the annexed tracing 
from ‘the; quaint woodcut renders all this tangible. 
» Before) visiting, the. great’ galleries, in which are displayed the 
wonders, of sculptuie, painting and jewel-work, I. was determined 
tobecome familiar with the outward features of this fair city, and the 
floral treasures so: richly abounding in.the vicinity: Daybreak saw me 
upon:the hills gathering in the cornfields, Tulips. of pale golden: yellow— 
not'the-tint of gold/after it has been-alloyed for comage, but.as I) have 
seen the pure virgin metal in the mines of Mexico. . Those:Tulips are 
of most elegant chalice-like form, the petals pointed, fringed, and:curved, 
droop -on their »wavy ‘stems, and form in their outlines precisely the 
cunves which ‘Hogarth has engraved as the line of beauty. I have filled 
a darge marble: vase with those beautiful Tulips, and regret that I can- 
not make drawings from them. 
yBelloguardi is one of the most interesting localities, and commands 
one.of the finest views of Florence, with the Apennines still covered with 
snow. ‘the Val,.d’Arno‘is. charming ; there is\ a tranquillity in such 
scenes before the business of life commences that delights me; the trees 
seem to stand more proudly at the break of day, and flowers dew- 
impearled are more fresh and lovely than in the broad: glare of day. 
Frequently 1 met with the Pimpernel (Anagallis arvensis), our shep- 
herd’s hour-glass or dial, and, as in England, trusted to its indications. 
The Italian peasants notice this natural. barometer, and know it by the 
name of Anagelao, to make cheerful, or remove despondeney ; husband- 
men are keen observers of those sensitive blossoms, which warn them 
more certainly than many other weather tokens. 
To enumerate and‘ describe all the wild flowers of this fascinating 
district would require volumes; sixty-four distinct specimens we 
gathered during one morning’s ramble. 
On the hill of Belloguardi stands Galileo’s Observatory, called the 
Torre del Gallo, a tower of ancient date adapted by the philosopher to 
his purpose. Ata short distance from the observatory is the Villa del 
Gioello, the residence of the astronomer, and where he is said to have 
entertained Milton;-when the poet was on his travels. Here Galileo 
dwelt in banishment till-he died. Many of those descriptions of scenery 
to be found in the writings of Milton are traceable to his sojourn in 
Italy ; the gardens of Villa Gioello may have suggested the passage— 
the Indian— 
Sakae “‘ That tends his pasturing herds 
At loopholes cut through thickest shade.” 
In the neighbourhood of Belloguardi there is a large irregular pile, 
which, from small beginnings, beeame an important villa. The choice 
situation induced some Cardinal to add a banqueting-room to the mansion, 
and there he entertained much company, and frequently the Pope. The 
Cardinal’s niece was a worshipper of flowers, and her garden was cele- 
