613 MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. ART. I. Domestic Notices. ENGLAND. THE Antheum at Brighton. We noticed the project of this building in our last (p. 464.), and expected to have the pleasure of seeing it advancing towards completion, when visiting Brighton as a part of our tour. Before our arrival there, however (which was on the 12th of September), it had fallen down, from its defective construction; and we only saw its remains from the outside of the square enclosure which surrounds it. Mr. Busby, architect and engineer (the inventor of the mode of heating by hot water, described p. 38.), who resides near the spot, a most ingenious and intelligent man, gave us the following account, which he first published, with some slight variations, in the Brighton Herald: "The antheum consisted of a dome, with twenty cast-iron ribs, forming ten elliptical arches, nearly 170 ft. in span: the lower parts of these ribs, for about 12 ft. high, were completely enclosed in substantial brick piers, with a strong circular wall extending between all, except three spaces, which were left to communicate with the principal entrance. The ribs were placed edgewise, and were about 3 ft. wide at the bottom, and 2 ft. at top, with an average thickness of about 2 in.; being, in fact, thinner in the centre, but considerably thicker at the edges, which were ornamented and strengthened by rounded mouldings. Each rib was cast in six or seven pieces, and the junctions were effected by strong flanches and screw-bolts; there were also smaller subsidiary ribs between the principals, but reaching only about one third of their height. The ribs were connected with each other by light cast-iron purlins, extending from one to another, so as to form a series of concentric rings at various elevations. The centre of the dome consisted of a strong circular casting, 7 ft. in diameter, against which all the ribs abutted, and to which they were all firmly attached by screwbolts. The height of the dome, measured within from the base of the ribs, was about 60 ft.; and the internal diameter of the circular wall, 164 ft. this constituted the whole of what is technically called the framing. There were also numerous wrought-iron ribs, about the ordinary size of a green-house sash-bar, filling up the intervals between the main and subsidiary ribs; but these were merely intended to receive the glazing, and contributed little or nothing towards the support of the principals. "An iron erection of the colossal dimensions of the antheum was found more difficult to fix than had been previously expected; and it became necessary to call in the aid of an immense scaffolding, or more properly, building of solid timber, framed in the most substantial manner; not merely to sustain the weight of the ribs, but to preserve them unbent and accurately in their places until the whole should be connected. This was performed with great precision. The ribs were, in fact, as true as the brass meridian of a globe; and, if they had kept so, notwithstanding the imprudent flatness in the centre, I have not the slightest doubt, would have stood for an immense period: but, unfortunately, diagonal braces, which should have been adopted throughout, were entirely omitted. This oversight became manifest to the superintendent some time since, and he proposed to remedy it; but no provision having been made in the ribs to receive the braces, and the additional expense being considerable, the contractor, who was not so well aware as he should have been of the risk he ran, refused to provide them. The scaffolding was afterwards removed, and the ironwork came to its full bearing; when, immediately, the ribs began to swerve from the perpendicular, and slowly bent into serpentine lines: so that, when viewed directly edgewise, every arch (consisting, as before described, of two opposite ribs) presented the appearance of a double circumflex, or elongated figure of 8. Thus all the ribs were obviously bending sidewise, and not edgewise more than was the natural consequence of such lateral flexure. The bending continued to increase; when, at length, some of the purlins were observed by the workmen to crack: and then, the general strain becoming greater than the elasticity of cast-iron could sustain flatwise, the whole centre of the fabric fell in, breaking with a report like the running fire of light artillery; giving out, at the same time, such a galaxy of immense sparks, as to produce the effect of a powerful flash of lightning. "Notwithstanding this catastrophe, the wreck, I am happy to say, is not so great as might have been expected: more than half the ironwork is still in a perfect state, and the brickwork is nearly undamaged. If, therefore, the matter be publicly taken up (as an object so attractive to this distinguished town should be), advantage may be taken of the present mishap to remedy the defective construction: and what has at first appeared a fatal misfortune, may afford the means of perfecting that which, in a complete state, would certainly be one of the most extraordinary and magnificent structures in Europe. I am, Sir, yours, &c. — C. A. Busby. 1. Stanhope Place, Brunswick Terrace, Sept. 5. 1833.” Though we do not consider a dome of any kind as the most suitable form for growing exotic plants, either from the temperate or tropical regions, yet we should have been glad to see the antheum completed, for the sake of its projector, Mr. Phillips. When, however, it is seriously contemplated to grow house plants in quantity together, and to a large size, a square or parallelogram will be found the most advantageous ground plan, with a ridge and furrow roof, supported by cast-iron pillars, which might be raised as the plants advanced in size. Such a house, whatever might be its extent, would be a mere repetition of two or three very simple parts in straight lines, and would, therefore, cost very little; at least, not one half per superficial foot so much as a dome of such proportions as the antheum. A dome is calculated to have a very grand appearance when seen from without; and also, if comparatively empty, when seen from within: but, when filled with plants, the domical form, and the circumstance of its being without interior supports, pass for nothing. Any one will be convinced of this who has had an opportunity of examining the exterior and interior of the dome at Syon; or of that recently taken down at Britton Hall. Circular houses, composed of a succession of roofs, supported by pillars, such as we recommended for the Birmingham Botanic Garden (Vol. VIII. p. 420. and 422.), are totally different constructions, and are scarcely more expensive than the square or parallelogram which we recommend; while their interior effect is equal to that of any dome whatever. Let it not be forgotten, that the vastness of the hemispherical roof is totally lost in the interior, when the house is entirely or even in part filled with trees. Cond. The Collection of Plants of the late A. H. Haworth, Esq., who died suddenly on Aug. 24., consisting chiefly of succulents and bulbs, is to be disposed of while the season permits safe removal. The collection consists of above 160 species of Aloë; 330 Mesembryánthemum; 25 Cotylédon; 20 Cacàlia; 11 Rulíngia, or Anaeámpseros; 21 Hawórthia; together with nume rous species of Crássula, Mammillària, Sèdum, Sempervivum, Echevèria, &c. &c.; amounting in the whole, including duplicates, to nearly one thousand pots. We believe that an offer for these has been accepted. The bulbs, and also the herbarium, the insects and Crustacea, and the library of books on natural history, are also to be immediately parted with. These are, severally, very extensive, and treasures indeed!" Our friend Mr. Main, 6. Union Row, Queen's Elm, Chelsea, has the charge of the disposal of them. — Cond. Instruction in the Sciences which explain the Processes of Nature in Farming and Gardening. — In p. 610. we have noticed the Cottage Farmer, by Mr. Lance; and we shall here quote a paragraph from the close of his pamphlet: - "The writer of this essay proposes to instruct young men in the sciences of geology, chemistry, botany, and the elements of all the physical sciences; which will elucidate points necessary to be known by farmers, and combine these branches with the practical knowledge which now conducts the agriculture of the country; and to use that science as an addition, and in subordination, thereto. In agriculture, the sciences are all conjoined; they cooperate to produce bread, and open a boundless field to enquiry. The botanist finds himself indebted to the chemist; the chemist finds problems, in searching into the physiology of plants, which the botanist must solve. The zoologist, the geologist, the mineralogist, the meteorologist, the entomologist, are so linked together, that they cannot proceed far without the assistance of one another; and whatever tends to cement the sciences, and bring their various branches into contact, will much facilitate the progress of agricultural knowledge.” An agricultural college, for the instruction of young men in the theory and practice of farming, is, in consequence of the above opinions, proposed to be formed by Mr. Lance. Let it be established; it can do no harm, even if it does no good. We fear, however, that the time is gone by for establishing institutions of this sort. The farmers of this country are, and ever have been, too ignorant to make use of the knowledge which is every day set before them; and they are too much prejudiced to benefit even from example. We have lately had abundant evidence of this during a seven weeks' tour. There is nothing to be expected from them but by the education of their children in their infancy, and at parochial schools. As we believe Mr. Lance to be ardently desirous of improving the agriculture of the country, we would entreat of him to consider whether the most effectual mode would not be to direct all his efforts towards inducing the legislature to establish a national system of education, such as that proposed by Mr. Roebuck in the last session of parliament, of which he will find an account in the Examiner for August 11.- Cond. A Rural Temple, intended as an Ornament for Parks and Pleasure-Grounds, has been devised and manufactured by Mr. John Mathews, architect, of Frimley, Surrey. It is stated that "the materials of which it is composed are principally hazel rods, and that the architectural relations of its compartments are executed with mathematical exactness; that this temple, and others of a variety of plans, may be made of any dimensions; and that they are quite portable, and will endure for a century or two." Virginia Water, and the adjacent Grounds. These the king has ordered to be opened to the public in general. We had an opportunity of viewing them during the course of our late tour; and though, from the extent of the grounds, and the broad expanse of the water, the former afford a healthy rural walk along the margin of the latter, yet, taken in a picturesque point of view, they have nothing to boast of: and, as to gardening or planting, these have the characteristic poverty of all the other grounds belonging to royalty, with the sole exception of the shrubberies at Kew. - Cond. Indian and Chinese Plants. The Directors of the East India Company have presented to the Society of Apothecaries, for their garden at Chelsea, a valuable collection of plants and seeds, natives of India and China. The plants, a few only of which died on the voyage, came over in square boxes, enclosed in frames glazed with the shell of the pearl oyster. ART. II. Floricultural and Botanical Notices of new Plants, and of old Plants of Interest, supplementary to the latest Editions of the "Encyclopædia of Plants," and of the "Hortus Britannicus.” Curtis's Botanical Magazine; each monthly Number containing eight plates ; 3s. 6d. coloured, 3s. plain. Edited by Dr. Hooker, King's Professor of Botany in the University of Glasgow. Edwards's Botanical Register; each monthly Number containing eight plates; 4s. coloured, 3s. plain. Edited by Dr. Lindley, F.R.S., Professor of Botany in the London University. Sweet's British Flower-Garden; each monthly Number containing four plates; 3s. coloured, 2s. 3d. plain. Edited by David Don, Esq., Librarian to the Linnæan Society. Loddiges's Botanical Cabinet; each monthly Number containing ten plates; 5s. coloured, 2s. 6d. partly coloured. Edited by Messrs. Loddiges. DICOTYLEDONOUS POLYPETALOUS PLANTS. XXIV. Malvàceœ. Málva umbellàta Cav., according to Hort. Brit., introduced to Britain in 1814, and figured in the Botanical Cabinet, in t. 222., is figured as a newly-introduced plant in the Botanical Register for August, t. 1608. Mr. D. Don, who contributes the description, remarks that Málva umbellàta " is rather a coarse-looking plant; but its many elegant scarlet blossoms compensate for its less graceful habit." (Bot. Reg., Aug.) XLVI. Cácteæ. 1474. OPU'NTIA. (Found wild in the country of the Opuntii, a Grecian people.) aurantiaca Lindl. orange-flwd.gr 3 ... O.Y. Chile 1824. C s.l.ru Bot. reg. 1606 Cactus aurantiacus Gillies MSS. "The plant from which our drawing was made is a branched dark green bush. The flowers are of a clear bright yellow colour, about 11⁄2 in. wide when expanded, with a column of white stamens in their centre.' "Every one knows that the spines of the Cácteæ are always difficult to extract when they have entered the skin. If the spines are magnified, it will be found that this property is owing to their being closely covered, from the point downwards, with numerous barbs, which have their cutting bases directed towards the base of the spine: in appearance they are very like the arrow-heads with several rows of barbs, such as are used by certain Indian nations. "An interesting fact relating to the common European opuntia is mentioned by M. De Candolle : - Among the practical consequences,' he observes, that results from the facility with which the Cácteæ strike from cuttings, there is one which, on account of its importance, deserves to be noticed: it is the manner in which the opuntia is employed to fertilise the old lavas at the foot of Etna. As soon as a fissure is perceived, a branch or joint of an opuntia is stuck in; the latter pushes out roots, which are nourished by the rain that collects round them, or by whatever dust or remains of organic matter may have collected into a little soil. These roots, once developed, insinuate themselves into the most minute crevices, expand, and finally break up the lava into mere fragments. Opuntias treated in this manner produce a great deal of fruit, which is sold as a refreshing fruit throughout all the towns of Sicily.'” (Bot. Reg., Aug.) LVI. Myrtacea. 1495. EUCALYPTUS. 12820 amygdalina Lab. Almond-leaved or 6 jl W V. D. L. 1810 L sl Bot. mag. 3260 This species, trained to a wall in the Edinburgh Botanic Garden, has there flowered. "With us," says Dr. Graham, "it is rather a slender shrub. We have not yet ascertained whether, like the pulverulenta, it will thrive without the protection of a wall." This shrub, though not showy in its flowers, is graceful in its pendulous branches, and long, narrow, lanceolate green leaves. (Bot. Mag., August.) LXXIII. Rosacea. 1523. RU BUS. 13555a róridus Lindl. dewy-glanded? cu ... aut W Madagascar 1831. L 1.p Bot. reg. 1607 Figured from Mr. Lambert's garden at Boyton, Wiltshire. It is strikingly different from all the known species of simple-leaved brambles in its finely cut stipules and bracteas, which are covered with numerous little transparent green glands; giving all the parts that surround the petals an appearance of being sprinkled with green dew. R. róridus is chiefly an object of botanical interest, there being little in it to attract the mere lover of showy flowers. Its fruit is unknown. (Bot. Reg., August.) LXXVII. Leguminosae § Sophòreæ. 1246. CHORO'ZEMA Lab. spartiöides B. C. Spartium-like or sp Y.R N. Holl. 1832. C s.p Bot. cab. 1953 "We raised it from seeds in 1832, and it flowered in abundance the following spring. The plants were not more than 2 in. or 3 in. high. The flowers are large, and splendid in colour. Its minuteness has hitherto prevented us from any attempt at propagating it; but it will probably, like others of the same genus, strike by cuttings." (Loddiges's Bot. Cab., August.) 1251. GOMPHOLO`BIUM. 10524a ténue Lindl. slender உபor1 au Y S.W. N. Holl. 1830. Cp Bot reg. 1615 A miniature shrub, raised in the nursery of Mr. Knight, from seeds collected by Mr. William Baxter. It flowered, for the first time in England, in August, 1832. Each of its slender shoots bears alternate leaves, each of three narrow leaflets; and is tipped with a pea-shaped blossom, whose outline equals in width that of a sixpenny-piece; and of a yellow colour, with its standard purplish at its back. It requires to be kept in an extremely well ventilated situation in a green-house. (Bot. Reg., Sept.) Leguminosa Lòteæ. 1941. PLATYLO BIUM. 17292a obtusángulum Hook. obtuse-angled-lvd. [Bot. mag. 3258 or 1 my Y.R V.D.L. 1832 ? S s.P Raised from seeds sent from Van Diemen's Land by Dr. Scott. A beautiful plant. P. obtusángulum " may possibly be only a variety of P. triangulare of Brown, as given in the Botanical Magazine, t. 1508.; but has a much more straggling habit and longer branches, frequently throwing out new shoots from the axils of the leaves; the old leaves have much more obtuse angles, and the young ones are not angular at all; the flowers are considerably larger, and the lobes of the calyx particularly so." (Bot, Mag., August.) 172926 Murrayànum Hook. Murray's or 1 my Y.R V. D. L. 1832. S s.p Bot. mag. 3259 "Raised, from seed sent from Van Diemen's Land by Dr. Scott, at the Glasgow Botanic Garden; and Mr. Murray, the able and zealous curator of this establishment, at once recognised it as a species quite distinct both from P. obtusángulum and from the P. triangulare: and I [Dr. Hooker] am desirous that it should bear his name. It bears a great number of flowers, which expand their vivid petals during the day, and close them as the evening approaches." (Bot. Mag., August.) 2102. ASTRA'GALUS. [Bot. mag. 3263 procumbens Hook. &. A. procumbent stemmed ? or 1 my Y.B.P Chile 1832. S co A pretty species, although not a strikingly showy one. "Communicated from the Birmingham Botanic Garden by Mr. Cameron, who raised the plant from Chilian seeds. It is found in the plains at Conception, Valparaiso, and Coquimbo; and will probably always require the protection |