DEC DECUMENT, lying down. DECURRENT, running down. DECURSIVE, having a tendency to run down. RE. Ind.. White 9, 8. White 10, S. DEFLEXED, turned downwards. DEVOLIATUS, deprived of leaves. DEGRAPHIS, Trinius. Derived from dis, twice, and grapho, to mark. Linn. 3, Or. 2, Nat. Ór. Graminee. Worthless species of grass, growing in any common soil, and increased by divisions at the roots. Synonymes: 1. Phalaris arundinacea. 2 Arundo colorata-americană 1, arundinacea 2, variegata. DEHISCENT, gaping; an expression applied to the mode in which the anthers or the fruit burst open, and discharge their contents. DELESERIA, Lamour. In honour of M. Benjamin Delessert, a famous French botanical patron. Linn. 24, Or. 7, Nat. Or. Alge. Beautiful species, of mostly deep green Alge, found in the ocean, and on the sea-shore-alātā, A. angustissimă, A dilatata, Bonnemaison, glandulosa, hypoglossim, lacerata, ocellata, Plocamīām, punctātā, ruscifòllä, sanguinéð, sinuosd. DELIMA, Linn. From delimo, to file, or shave off; the leaves are used for polishing. Linn. 13, Or. 1, Nat. Or. Dilleniacea. Very fine climbing plants, growing best in loam, peat, and sand mixed; ripened cuttings root in sand, under a glass, in heat. nitida . 8. E. Cl. Trinidad 1830 Barmentosa, 1. . Yellow S. E. CL. Ceylon. . 1820 DELIQUESCENT, melting away upon exposure to air. DELPHINION, Lian. From delphin, a dolphin; in reference to the supposed resemblance in the nectary of the plant to the imaginary figures of the dolphin. Linn. 13, Or. 8, Nat. Or. Ranunculacea. All the species of Larkspur are showy, and valuable as border flowers, especially D. Ajacis and Consolida, both of which are universally grown among the border annuals. The herbaceous and perennial kinds are increased by divisions, or seeds, and the annual and biennial kinds merely require sowing in the open border, where they will flower and seed freely. D. Consolida is regarded as a simple astringent. Synonymes: 1. D. tridactylon. 2. D. hirsutum. 8. D. intermedium. 4. D. junceum. 5. D. ambiguum. Aconiti. Ajarls floré-pleno. albiflorum alpinum altalcum ambiguum. amenam azaréüm Barlow cardiopetalam cheilanthüm multiplex chinense Consolida flore-plénő euneâtüm. dasy carpam dictyocarpum elatam elegans. . Purple 6, H. A. Levant. . White . Pa. blue. 7, H. Her. P., Siberia Igt. blue 7, H. Her. P. Carolina . 1801 .1573 . 1573 . 1823 1816 1829 1759 1818 . 1805 Dk. blue. 8, H. Her. P. Eng. hyb.. .Blue. • 4, H. A England . Varieg. 6, H. A England .Blue. .Blue. .Blue. exaltatam, 1. .Blue. fissüm Blue. . 1818 . 6, H. Her. P. Siberia. . 5, H. Her. P. Caucasus . 1820 . Dk. blue. 7. H. Her. P. Siberia. . 1816 6, H. Her. P. Gardens . 1890 . 1794 . 1710 .1836 tricorně. DENDRONYOM, Swarts. From dendron, a tree, and ART. IV. A Flora of North America; containing abridged Descriptions of all the known indigenous and naturalised Plants growing North of Mexico; arranged according to the Natural System. By John Torrey and Asa Gray. Parts III. and IV. Svo, pp. 711. New York, 1840. We noticed Parts I. and II. of this work in our preceding volume, p. 39., and again in the present volume, p. 94. Parts III. and IV., now before us. complete Vol. I., and include all the Polypetalous division of dicotyledons, These parts bear, throughout, evidence of extraordinary research, care, and labour. By the preface it appears that almost all the principal herbariums in Europe have been examined, and that botanists in every part of North America have contributed specimens or information to the authors. It is difficult to conceive any work of the kind more complete, or in which all the information on the subject, up to the present time, has been so judiciously made use of; and still more difficult it is to comprehend how this first volume has been finished in so short a time. Though this volume describes only about a fourth part of the American flora, yet we are astonished at the number of species, even of woody plants, which have not yet been introduced. We shall take our favourite genus, Cratæ gus, for example. Seventeen species are described, and of these 5, viz. C. rivulàris Nutt, C. arboréscens Ellis, C. æstivàlis Torr. et Gray, C. berberifòlia Torr. et Gray, and C. unilateràlis Pers. have not yet been introduced. It is gratifying to us to find that Drs. Torrey and Gray agree with us in considering many of the kinds treated as species by botanists to be only varieties; for example, C. ovalifolia Horn., C. lineàris Pers., C. prunifòlia Bosc, C. flabellata Bosc, &c.: but we cannot bring ourselves to believe that C. sanguínea Pall. and C. Douglàsü Lindl. are the same species; and we feel certain that, if Drs. Torrey and Gray saw the two plants together in a living state, they would be of our opinion. In truth, there is no certainty as to the names of species of plants, where the living plants have not been compared. Dried specimens, no doubt, make the nearest approach to living plants, and in many instances indicate the specific differences correctly; but, to be able to know whether they really do so or not, it is necessary first to have studied the living plant in its variations as well as in its normal state. What, for example, can be more distinct than specimens of different varieties of C. Crús-gálli or Quercus Cérris, if judged of only by specimens ? And yet it is known to cultivators, that, by sowing the seeds of any one variety of these two species, most of the others may be procured. When all the species described by botanists shall be tested in this way, there will not be a tenth of them, perhaps not a twentieth, that will hold good. Nevertheless, what can botanists do better, in the meantime, than describe what they see? With the progress of civilisation, botanic gardens will be formed in all countries, and in these many wild species will disappear, and many crossbreds and hybrids be originated. But we are forgetting the main object of this notice, which is to assure our readers that this is one of the most important botanical works for British gardeners that has ever been published; as extending an already prolific field of commerce for the nurseryman, and greatly increasing the resources of the shrubbery and the park. The Flora of North America must find its way into the library of every botanist. It will, we trust, give rise to one grand national botanic garden in the United States, and to many collectors being despatched from Britain to send home the numerous species described which have not yet been introduced. We intend to take an early opportunity of giving a list of the trees and shrubs described in the first volume, which are not yet in British gardens. ART. V. Catalogue of Works on Gardening, Agriculture, Botany, Rural Architecture, &c., lately published, with some Account of those considered the more interesting. THE American Flower-Garden Companion: adapted to the Northern States. By E. Sayers. 8vo, pp. 174. Boston, 1838. A Treatise on the Culture of the Dahlia and Cactus. By E. Sayers. 12mo, pp. 72. Boston, 1839. The Florist's Guide; containing practical Directions for the Cultivation of Annual, Biennial, and Perennial Flowering Plants of Different Classes, &c. &c. Third edition, enlarged and improved. By T. Bridgeman, Gardener, Seedsman, and Florist, New York. 8vo, pp. 180. New York, 1840. The appearance of these three works, and the numerous agricultural and gardening newspapers now publishing in America, show the rapid progress which the arts of culture are making in that extensive country. Mr. Bridgeman's Young Gardener's Assistant is noticed in our Vol. XII. p. 193., and we observe that in a separate pamphlet he has published some extracts from the eighth edition of that work, which, though far from being new, yet appear to us of considerable interest, both in America and England, from the doctrine which they contain. This doctrine is, that the grand cause why fruit trees, and especially peach trees, are not so productive as they ought to be, is the result of their being too deeply planted. This secret was lately offered to the congress for a million of dollars, and Mr. Bridgeman says that he had anticipated it in the work referred to, and, as a proof of this, he publishes the extracts. The soil in America, he observes, is light; and the trees when planted in it, if not staked, are apt to be blown aside, or even blown out of the soil, by high winds. Hence, to avoid the trouble and expense of staking, they are planted deeper in the soil, which is the cause of unfruitfulness and disease in all trees, more especially in the peach. He repeats that this deep planting is practised not only with fruit trees in America, but with all trees whatever. A Manual of Botany, comprising Vegetable Anatomy and Physiology, or the Structure and Functions of Plants. By W. Macgillivray, A.M., &c. 8vo, pp. 272, 16 plates. London, 1840. This is one of a series of Manuals by an experienced and judicious author, who possesses a scientific as well as practical knowledge of the subjects on which he treats. The work has every appearance of having been prepared with great care and labour, and the steel plates are very neatly executed, though we should greatly have preferred them done on wood,and printed along with the text. The Grammar of Botany. By G. Francis, F.L.S. 12mo, pp. 160, many wood cuts. London, 1840. Price 4s. Of all the different miniature introductions to botany which have yet been published, this by Mr. Francis is, in our opinion, decidedly the best. It embraces as much as books of six times the size have attempted, and it explains the subject more clearly than these books and much more concisely, by means of woodcuts. It not only defines all the parts of plants, and all the principal terms used in botanical description, but it gives definitions and engravings of the flowers and fruit of forty-two natural orders of flowering plants, and of seven orders of Cryptogàmia. We have often recommended introductions to botany to young gardeners, and many of these have been very excellent productions, every one vieing with another in keeping pace with the progress of the age, but Mr. Francis's little work surpasses them all. We have not only to recommend this work to young gardeners, but to young amateurs of both sexes. That the author had in view its suitableness for ladies, is obvious from the following passage in his preface. "Two remarks it is necessary to make on the language employed throughout. One is, that the greatest simplicity has invariably been aimed at, particularly in the scientific names and words; and although the author has not fallen in this respect behind the spirit of the age, yet he has certainly not added to the pruriency of it by new terms or new hypotheses, leaving such recondite matters to those who have more judgment than himself." The second remark is this: "The author has often had it objected to him, that botany is not adapted to young females, nor can it be introduced as a general subject of study in schools, because authors, in their introductory works on the science, have led the mind to dwell chiefly on the sexual distinctions of vegetables, and that sexual organs, unisexual, hermaphrodite, and similar terms, are of common occurrence. It is not necessary to stop to enquire whether this objection be well founded, or whether all authors deserve the imputation. It is certainly to be lamented, that the science should be neglected by those for whom it is fittest from circumstances like these, especially as not one of the terms complained of is at all requisite, and not one of them has been introduced into the following pages." Ricauti's Rustic Architecture. Parts III. and IV. Oblong, 4to, 14 plates. London, 1840. 6s. each Part. We gave a notice of Parts I. and II. of this work in p. 355.; and Mr. Ricauti has, in p. 519., kindly corrected some errors that we fell into in that notice. The plates in the parts before us are most beautifully zincographed and printed, and the designs are in an eminent degree picturesque. We repeat what we before stated (p. 356.), that each part may be forwarded by post, and that in no cheaper mode could a gentleman procure a working plan for a very handsome ornamental cottage.- Part III. contains design No. III. a Gamekeeper's Cottage, equally suited for the residence of a small family. Estimate within 310. Part IV. contains design No. iv. a Gar. dener's Cottage, equally suited for the accommodation of a small family. Estimate 3851. If every proprietor of an estate exceeding 500 acres would execute on it but a single cottage of an ornamental character, and comfortable within, such as are exhibited in these designs of Mr. Ricauti, how much the country would be ornamented in appearance, and how much would be accomplished by the influence of example! Mr. Ricauti's designs are not of the cold heartless character, which were published by several architects of taste 15 or 20 years ago, in which all the skill of the architect was bestowed on the exterior, and the interior not a whit advanced beyond the state in which it was in the days of Holinshed. We refer to the reviews of certain works on cottages, given in our earlier volumes, for the truth of this remark. Happily for the cottager, the days when it was thought that the design for an ornamental cottage could only be given by first-rate architects is passing away; and from such books as this of Mr. Ricauti, our 66 Encyclopædia of Cottage Architecture," and various others, dwellings at once comfortable and ornamental may be erected by carpenters, bricklayers, and masons, in every part of the civilised world. Illustrations and Description of Kilpeck Church, Herefordshire; with an Essay on Ecclesiastical Design. By G. R. Lewis, author of " British Forest Trees ;" "An Address on Education as connected with Design, in every Department of British Manufactures ;" and of various other Works. Part I. Fol. pp. x, 8 plates. London, 1840. Price, to Subscribers, 10s. 6d. Letter to Thomas Phillips, Esq., R.A., on the Connection between the Fine Arts and Religion, and the Means of their Revival. By H. Drummond, Esq. 8vo, pp. 45. London, 1840. Mr. Lewis has entered on his subject with a degree of enthusiasm that will charm some, and only draw forth a smile from others; and the same remark may be applied to Mr. Drummond's pamphlet. Nevertheless, in both productions there are agreat many remarks in which every person endowed with common sense will concur. Whether we regard the plates most accurately drawn and lithographed by Mr. Lewis himself, or the singularity of the ideas in the letter-press, the work deserves a place in the library of the architect and the antiquarian. The coincidence of opinion on some points of sacred architecture, between Mr. Lewis and Mr. Drummond, is remarkable. The following sentence, from the latter gentleman's pamphlet, may be of use: "The castles in Germany and England, as well as the Saracenic in Spain and Magna Græcia, were splendid buildings, both as respects their strength and picturesque effect; although it must be confessed, that the latter object was little, if at all, in the intention of the builders. It is in the architecture which is devoted to religious purposes, in the cathedrals and churches of England, that we find the real architectural superiority of this country, and not in the houses of her nobles and gentry, which are for the most part clumsy without grandeur, and poor without simplicity; and these defects are more visible in proportion as the national style has been departed from, and that of Italy imitated, as has been specially the case since the days of Inigo Jones." (p. 15.) Architectural Precedents, with Notes and Observations. Edited by C. Davy, Parts II., III., IV., V., We noticed the first part of this work in p. 267.; and, the above parts being sent us, we earnestly and strongly recommend them to the young architect, and to the country gentleman who intends to build, as replete with useful information, and as being wholly practical. By Emily Taylor. 12mo, Help to the Schoolmistress; or Village Teaching. pp. 98, 1 folding plate, and 1 page of diagrams. Many of our readers patronise country schools, and the very title of this work and the name of the author, well known for her excellent school books, ought to recommend it to them. It contains well considered instructions to the schoolmistress, and a plan of a school, which any country carpenter or builder may execute at a moderate expense; being only 15 ft. long and 12 ft. wide. The diagrams are, a prize slate for a school of 49 children, and a prize book, both of which are very ingenious. Ladies who make tours to watering places, or, indeed, to any place, might do much good by taking a few copies of the Schoolmistress with them, and giving them away to village teachers. ART. VI. Literary Notices, prospective and retrospective. A GENERAL priced Catalogue of Implements, Seeds, Plants, &c., sold at the Agricultural Museum and Warehouse of W. Drummond and Sons, Seedsmen and Nurserymen. Stirling, 1840.. This catalogue will be found exceedingly useful to those that wish to know, not only the names of articles which are sold, but their prices. The only similar catalogue of the kind that we know of is Sang's of Kircaldy, noticed p. 93. A Descriptive Catalogue of a Selection of Roses, cultivated for Sale by A. Paul and Sons, Nurserymen, Florists, and Seedsmen, Cheshunt, Herts, near London. This catalogue is equal in merit to any that have been published. The enumeration of sorts fills 19 pages, and there are at an average above 50 sorts in a page; in all 950 sorts. Catalogue for Autumn 1840, of an unrivalled Collection of Dutch and Cape Flower Bulbs, warranted genuine, imported and sold by James Carter, Seeds[man and Florist, No. 238. High Holborn, London. The best catalogue of bulbs ever published in England. It is printed in a small type, on a very large page, so as to bring the weight within the penny postage. As this is the season for planting bulbs, we hope Mr. Carter will meet with that patronage which he so richly deserves. Catalogue of Seeds, &c., sold by Drysdale and Lawson, Seedsmen, Nurserymen, and Florists, New Seed Warehouse, Glasgow, is noticed as being the |