of it, from my further search respecting the plant in the southern provinces, where Mr. Cruickshanks did not accompany me, as I found it quite as abundant there as in the northern parts. Humboldt is of opinion that the potato grows wild in Peru, from which opinion I am obliged to differ, at least so far as to state that, during my journey in the Andes, I found no tuberbearing solanums on their declivities between 5° and 12° of south latitude. The potato in its wild state, however, is not an inhabitant of the mountains: but, in the northern part of Chile, where both Mr. Cruickshanks and myself made a journey along the coast, and carefully examined it, and also in the southern part, where I travelled alone, we found an immense quantity of wild potatoes at a height never exceeding that of 400 ft. above the level of the sea; more generally, however, in the immediate neighbourhood of the sea, and in the greatest luxuriance in rich loamy declivities, or in the chinks of the rocks exposed to the sea breezes, and only elevated a few fathoms above the level of the ocean. We never saw the wild potato farther from the sea than one or two leagues. It is easily distinguished from the cultivated potato, when it is once known that its blossoms are always white.

The potato, by right, ought to bear the name of a sea-shore plant, and its native country is undoubtedly Chile. It has been said that this plant is found cultivated on the hills that border the coast, and on the steep rocky declivities at Punta de Quintero, &c., but the soil there is either incapable of cultivation, or the land so steep that nobody could make any use of it. The wild potato is often known in Chile by the name of Papa cimarono, because in its natural state its very small tubers are found to be bitter. They are often found growing in a wild state on steep places; and in 1827, when the fort at Valparaiso was pulled down, and part of a steep rock gave way, and also in 1828 at the Cerro alegre, such an extraordinary quantity of those uneatable tubers rolled down into the streets, that many strangers who had never seen the wild potato could hardly believe the assertion. It cannot be affirmed that the wild potato is found in good soil, or in the drift hills of sand at Quintero; it, on the contrary, prefers the steep declivities and the small step-kind of formation on high projecting rocks. That the wild potato is very sensitive of a change of atmosphere, is evident from the circumstance, that it is found in abundance at the foot of Monte Manco, not far from Cocon in Chile; but not at all on its summit, a height of 500 ft., where, on the contrary, fields of the cultivated potato flourish well. The potato is not used to the same extent in Chile as it is in Peru, where the inhabitants of the Andes, without the least exaggeration, derive more than the half of their nourishment from its tubers. The Indians

and Mestizos there make what they call Chupe, that is, small pieces of potato boiled in water, with the addition of pepper, and generally seasoned with bullock's fat; this dish they partake of two or three times a day, and it forms their chief food. Its great cheapness and satisfying quality reconcile the natives. to its tastelessness and less nourishing property; and the Mestizos of the mild valleys would rather live on Chupe six days in the week, than be obliged to work hard two days together. The inhabitants of Punas are well skilled in preserving potatoes to keep to any length of time, which methods are not generally known in Europe. They give the name of Chúnu Chuno to the besttasted preparation, which consists of potatoes left spread out in the open air for several nights, and exposed to the frost; during the day, however, they are put in a cold place, and protected from light and heat, so that they neither rot nor have a bad smell. They are then laid between layers of straw, and the small degree of moisture they contain pressed from them by treading and pressure, so that they at last form a mass of a whitish, wrinkled, light substance, and which, when boiled, forms a gelatinous liquid of a light grey colour and a not unpleasant taste. This preparation is brought from Sierra to the coast, and also to the warm forests towards the east, where it is in great repute. It keeps good for several years together in the climate of the Andes, and it even suits better the moist heat of the ancient forests than any other vegetable preparation. I found this provision very useful to me during my journey to Huallaga; and it did not a little excite the astonishment of the inhabitants of Brazil, as on the banks of the Marañon no kind of dried provision will keep one year.

The second preparation is called Morai, and only differs from the preceding in the potatoes being pared, and otherwise managed with greater nicety.

A third way of preserving the potato consists in cutting them in thin slices, and fastening them on a string. They dry well and very quickly in this manner in the atmosphere of the Andes. The potatoes of the Sierra are not much larger than a large kind of walnut, which we in Germany call Wälsche Nüsse, but they have a particularly good flavour, and, like those in Europe, consist of a great many varieties. In the forests of the warm regions of the valleys, which reach as far as Huanuco, the inhabitants cultivate a very excellent variety, probably a peculiar species, as it is very sensitive of cold, and produces tubers every three months. When it is once planted, it requires no more care, but continues to flourish. I found it common also in Cuchuro and Cassapi, and the flavour was very good. (Pöppig's Reise, vol. ii. p. 81.)

REVIEWS.

ART. I. Catalogue of Works on Gardening, Agriculture, Botany, Rural Architecture, &c., lately published, with some Account of those considered the more interesting.

THE Landscape-Gardening and Landscape-Architecture of the late Humphry Repton, Esq.; being his entire Works on these Subjects. A new Edition, with a Historical and Scientific Introduction, a Systematic Analysis, a Biographical Notice, Notes, and a copious Alphabetical Index. By J. C. Loudon, F.L.S., &c. Originally published in one folio and three quarto volumes, and now comprised in one volume, 8vo, illustrated by upwards of 250 engravings. 8vo, pp. 619. London, 1840. 30s. plain; 37. 6s. coloured.

We announced the appearance of the first number of this work in our preceding volume (p. 466.). It is now completed, and forms one of the best practical guides for the young or amateur landscape-gardener extant. There are, doubtless, a number of our readers who have perused the works of Whately, the two Masons, Gerardin, and Uvedale Price, and to these we may appeal for the truth of what we assert as to the practical nature of Mr. Repton's writings. The truth is, that, by the number of engravings which they contain, they address themselves to the eye at once; and a general idea may be formed of the nature of landscape improvement by merely turning over the pages, and looking at the engravings. We do not know a book better adapted for a drawingroom than a coloured copy of this work; not only from the beauty of the pages, but from the interest excited by the views or vignettes, which exhibit portraits, before and after improvement, of upwards of two hundred of the most remarkable country residences in England. The coloured copies we consider as exquisitely beautiful, and particularly those which have been done at Bayswater, under our own inspection.

A portrait of the late Mr. Repton, by Hall, from an original drawing by Shelley, is prefixed to the work; which Mr. Repton's family, we are happy to say, consider a better likeness of their father than that published in his lifetime as a frontispiece to his quarto volume, entitled Observations on the Theory and Practice of Landscape-Gardening. The biographical notice, which occupies twenty-two pages, will be read with intense interest, as showing Mr. Repton to have been a highly enlightened and most benevolent man.

The Ladies' Flower-Garden of Ornamental Annuals. By Mrs. Loudon. Illustrated by forty-eight carefully coloured plates, containing upwards of 300 figures of the most showy and interesting annual flowers. 4to, pp. 272. London, 1840. 21. 2s. cloth; 27. 10s. half-bound in morocco, gilt tops.

This elegant volume being now completed, we have only to repeat the expression of our warmest approbation of the plan and of the manner in which it has been executed. The tasteful grouping, the truth of imitation, both in forms and colours, of the plants figured, have been maintained throughout; and the letterpress is every way worthy of the plates. With the last number is given an index of English and scientific names, the latter being accented; a glossary of terms, including all such as are in general use, though not clearly understood; for example, awned, disk, embryo, fibrils, floral leaves, &c.; a list of authorities and books referred to; the contents, arranged systematically, each order forming a chapter; and, lastly, a list of plates, with the English and scientific names of the plants figured in each. The total number of plants figured is 310, which, being purchasable for 21. 2s., is only a fraction more than three halfpence for each figure. We feel confident that there is not extant another work relative to botany or gardening, in which elegance, economy, and utility are combined in such an eminent degree; and, happily, the success of the work has been proportionate to its merits.

The Ladies' Flower-Garden of Ornamental Bulbous Plants. By Mrs. Loudon. No. I. 4to, pp. 16.; 3 coloured plates, containing 20 figures of bulbousrooted plants. London, 1840. Price 2s. 6d.

In pursuance of the plan which we announced in our preceding volume (p. 729.) when speaking of the Ladies' Flower-Garden, the Ornamental Annuals are no sooner finished than the Ornamental Bulbous Plants are commenced. The number before us is an admirable specimen, both in regard to its letterpress and its plates. The first plate is entirely devoted to the genus I`ris; the second to the genus Mora'a; and the third to Herbértia, Cypélla, Phalocállis, and Vieusseùxia. Bulbous plants, taken individually, are generally stiff erect objects, which one would suppose could not be very readily brought together so as to form elegant groups; but the fallaciousness of this opinion is demonstrated by these plates, in which, while every individual species is true to nature, we have each group equally true to the principles of pictorial combination. The bulbous department, therefore, of the Ladies' Flower-Garden promises to equal, if not to surpass, that devoted to annuals.

It is calculated that this volume will be completed in about the same number of parts as the Annuals, after which the Ornamental Perennials will be commenced.

Fruit Trees; a Handbook for Cultivators. Being a practical Exposition of the Art of pruning Fruit Trees; showing the Defects and Difficulties of modern Practice, with proposed Remedies; including Advice and Information, founded on long Experience and extensive Observation. By a practical Observer. 12mo, pp. 119. London, 1840.

An excellent little work, by a well-known author; alike admired for his scientific knowledge, and his extensive experience in the practice of what he teaches. Why he has not given his name we are at a loss to conceive; since it would have prevented his book from being confounded with other anonymous productions equally cheap, but so far inferior in point of merit, that, were it not for the harshness of the term, we should call them worthless. Generally speaking, we recommend our readers to purchase no practical work of any kind which has not the author's name attached. With works purely argumentative this is of no consequence; and, indeed, the name may often tend to obstruct the free exercise of thought: but, with those giving directions for managing a garden or a farm, or for treating cattle or live stock, the first step, in our opinion, is to know what degree of confidence is to be placed in the author. The key to this degree of confidence is the author's real name.

A Method of pruning and training Standard Apple Trees. By James_Clark, Gardener to the Earl of Lonsdale, Castle Gardens, Whitehaven. Pamph. 12mo, pp. 8, with a plate. Whitehaven, 1839.

The great object in the "windy part of the kingdom," where the author is situated, is to keep the trees as low as possible, and the wood not crowded, but in straight and stiff ascending and spreading shoots. These objects he attains by thinning and shortening in the manner performed in the London Horticultural Society's Gardens, with the apple trees in the borders of the orchard; and also, as Mr. Clark informs us, as performed in the Experimental Garden, Edinburgh, when under the direction of Mr. Barnett.

A descriptive Catalogue of Fruits cultivated by T. Rivers, Jun., at his Nurseries, Sawbridgeworth, Herts, with the Prices of Fruit Trees. Pamph. imp. 8vo, pp. 16. London, 1840.

A descriptive Catalogue of Pears cultivated by T. Rivers, Jun., &c. pp. 4.

[The following is from a correspondent who has paid great attention to the subject of fruits.]

The descriptive fruit catalogue of Mr. Rivers is a commendable innovation upon the usual form of nurserymen's lists, which have hitherto been little or

nothing more than long rolls of bare names, without any particulars by which purchasers might be guided in their selection of sorts. Its general correctness is creditable to Mr. Rivers; there are, however, some inaccuracies, of which the following have occurred to me in a hasty perusal.

Among the Apples there are very few sorts that are not worthy of cultivation; but a few of those of which the names are printed in italics scarcely deserve that distinguishing mark of excellence, while others not thus distinguished, are of the highest merit. For example, the Dutch Mignonne and Forman's Crew are much inferior to the Herefordshire and Adams's Pearmains, two of the very best apples in cultivation; Braddick's Nonpareil and the Old Nonpareil are also quite equal, if not superior, to the Sweeney Nonpareil. No collection, however select, should be without the Old Golden Pippin; Hughes's Golden Pippin, and the Summer Golden Pippin, are also of firstrate quality. Besides these, the King Pippin, Margil, Öslin, Golden Reinette, and Boston Russet are excellent sorts, equal in merit to most or all of those selected by Mr. Rivers. He makes two Ribston Pippins, which is evidently incorrect. That apple was named after a place in Yorkshire (Ribston Hall) where it originated; consequently its name, although it is slightly modified, cannot justly be given to a different apple: the Winter Ribston Pippin is therefore either some other sort, or merely a nurseryman's name, probably the latter, for the true Ribston Pippin will keep till spring.

Of Apricots, Mr. Rivers gives three new names:-the Early Red, Large Red, and Large Peach, which he tells us in a note are "French varieties of the Moorpark," a picce of information not very easily understood. If these apricots do really differ from the Moorpark, they are not varieties of it any more than of the Turkey or Breda, but bona fide sorts; I suspect, however, that these three, and also the Hemskirke, are nothing more than the Moorpark. Let Mr. Rivers bud them all upon a fruiting tree of the Moorpark, and, if there is any real difference, it will then be clearly perceptible.

His list of Cherries contains most of the best sorts:- the Belle de Choisy is a very good tender-fleshed cherry, quite distinct in character from all others that I am acquainted with. The Black Eagle is not "rather small," but a good-sized cherry, and, with the rest of Mr. Knight's seedlings, well deserving of extensive cultivation. The Downton and the Elton are, however, the best of those raised by that distinguished horticulturist, and are not surpassed in goodness by any known kinds. That called Knight's Early Black is thought to be synonymous with the Black Tartarian, a large and excellent cherry. The Early Purple Griotte is now called Early Purple Guigne.

About Figs very little is known by any writer on fruits. Mr. Rivers has judiciously reduced his list to nine names, which, with the Nerii of Mr. Knight, and some two or three others, probably comprise all the sorts cultivated in this country. It is much to be regretted that so little attention is paid to this delicious fruit.

The collection of Gooseberries is small, many of the best kinds being omitted. Crompton's Sheba Queen, not "Sheba's Queen," is of the highest excellence. Taylor's Bright Venus is not a "Lancashire prize sort," with which it is classed, but a middle-sized berry, in the way of the Pitmaston Green Gage, and, like it, delicious in flavour, and possessing the valuable property of hanging a long time upon the tree. The list given in the Penny Cyclopædia (article Gooseberry) is, perhaps, the best that could be made, and those who desire a first-rate collection should take it for a guide.

It is in Grapes that Mr. Rivers is most at fault; that, however, will not surprise any one conversant with fruits, for, with the exception of figs, there is no class in which so much confusion exists. Most writers upon grapes are mere copyists, each rigidly adhering even to the errors of his predecessors. Prince's Treatise on the Vine, published at New York in 1830, contains more original matter than any British work that I have seen, many of his descriptions having evidently been drawn from nature; and, although by no means free from errors, it is a very useful and instructive book. Many of Mr. Rivers's