differs from it only in having flowers of a saffron colour, and a receptacle rather more dilated. E. compacta has smallish flowers of yellow and orange, the margin of the receptacle almost flat. E. tenuifolia is very distinct, the leaves crowded, flowers numerous, colour yellow, the receptacle tubular, the margin very slightly dilated; a very gay and interesting plant.

The plants now under notice were amongst the splendid botanical acquisitions of David Douglas, one of the most capable and renowned collectors employed by the Horticultural Society. His principal explorations of the country watered by the Columbia river, and of California, were accomplished in the years 1825-6-7, and the results are to be seen in every garden and every catalogue of plants. He obtained many of the annuals that are now the most popular, also the curious tribe of lilies named Calochortus, some fine species of Ribes, and many more good things, not the least amongst them either in magnitude or importance being the magnificent Columbian fir (Abies Douglasi), which in its native country attains a height of 300 feet, and if we may judge by the noble specimen in the grounds at Dropmore, is likely to attain a similar stature in this country if enabled to hold its own against the storms of heaven and the destructive propensities of man.

The life of David Douglas was largely chequered with misfortunes. In a journal he sent, with collections of seeds, insects, birds, &c., from Western America, he relates that he had pursued his explorations when his knee was disabled by an accident, and his sight was so dim that he could hardly use his gun. And he humorously tells of an old chief at Oak Point named Tha-a-muxci, who had a profound yearning for the luxury of being shaved, and was

gratified by Mr. Douglas using his razor upon his face, in return for which kindness he accompanied the botanist "all along the coast and sixty miles up the Cheecheetin river." When he met with the giant fir that has been named in remembrance of him, he makes note in his journal that "new or strange things seldom fail to make great impressions, and we are often at first liable to overrate them;" and further on he remarks, "lest I should never see my friends to tell them verbally of these most beautiful and extremely large trees."

The career of Douglas was as brief as it was brilliant. At the age of 36, being then engaged in botanical explorations in the Sandwich Islands, he fell into a pit that had been designed as a trap for buffaloes, and wherein one had been already caught. The infuriated beast killed the intruder, but not without a struggle, for the unhappy man fought hard for his life. This occurred July 12, 1834.

LONDON PRIDE

Saxifraga umbrosa.

ONDON PRIDE is looked down upon by the grand gardeners and sublime botanists, but it is one of the loveliest plants in the world, and one of the most thrifty. The young microscopist may be advised to grow a patch of it in order to obtain stamens, and pollen grains, and slices of leaf-tissue for pleasant work in the cool of the morning.

"In the summer-time, when

The bright May-buds are a-winking,
And the cuckoo's sweet hiccuping down

in the glen

Tells of the dew he's been drinking."

Let the plant have a place in the garden-that is the point we are

anxious about, because it is so common and cheap, and unwilling to give trouble, that your oligarchs of orchids, and fantastic fanciers of fine foliage plants, and affected florists who are still in their apprenticeship in the world of taste, will fling it incontinently to the rubbish-heap, unless it is fenced round with a chevaux de frise. The latest