blished. I therefore add a list of those only which are best known, and easily procured, rather than of kinds almost unknown, and which it would be difficult to obtain; as it may be useful to those who have inclination and means to begin a collection.

Connected with this subject, permit me to add a few observations. Every opportunity should be taken by those who have distant or foreign correspondents, to engage them in collecting the fronds of ferns. It is an easy task: they are light of carriage, and may prove, when sent to a friend or cultivator, an acceptable and useful present. They may be raised from seed with the greatest ease. Their natural habitat may be imitated either in hot-houses, or in the open garden; whether inhabitants of the dry or moist rock, the shady wood, or open plain; whether found growing on sound or decayed timber, on clay, loam, or decomposed vegetable earth; all these substances can be transferred with the plants, and placed in such parts of the flower-garden as will correspond with their respective habits and character.

In a collection of ferns in a garden, they should always be accompanied with the other plants of cryptogamous description usually found united with them in their native bed: of such are various mosses, lichens, &c.

Those marked thus (*) are exotics, but sufficiently hardy to endure the open air. The Aspídium bulbíferum is raised from bulbs produced on the back of the fronds; and the Adiántum pedatum from young plants formed at the ends of the fronds.

LIST OF EXOTIC FERNS REQUIRING TO BE TREATED AS GREEN-HOUSE

Davállia pyxidata.

Davállia canariensis.
Aspídium trifoliatum.
Aspídium auriculatum.
Polypòdium Phyllitidis.
Polypodium auriculàtum.
Polypodium pectinàtum.
Polypòdium aúreum.
Polypodium effùsum.
Diplázium grandifòlium.
Bléchnum austràle.
Blechnum occidentale.
Hemionitis dealbàta.
Hemionitis rùfa.

Acróstichum alcicórne.

PLANTS.

Dicksonia arborescens.

Cheilanthes pteröìdes.
Adiántum renifórme.
Adiántum ténerum.
Aspídium exaltàtum.
Asplenium Shepherdü.
Asplenium Hemionitis.
Asplenium præmórsum.
Asplenium ebènum.
Asplenium rhizophyllum.
Doódia áspera.
Ptèris longifolia.
Ptèris serrulàta.
Ptèris arguta.

The above are all to be had at the Liverpool garden. I could give the names of many more species, but not knowing where they may be purchased, I omit them. The above, however, when united with a collection of the most curious and rare British plants, will make a considerable addition to the flower garden. I am, Sir, yours, &c.

London, Feb. 11. 1828.

JAMES HOUSMAN.

ART. XVII. Historical and Descriptive Notice of a Plant of the Sàbal Blackburnia, now in the Gardens at Hale Hall, Lancashire, the Seat of John Blackburne, Esq. M.P. By THOMAS KIRKLAND GLAZEBROOK, Esq.

THE flowering of what was popularly called the "Great Palm," at Hale, the seat of John Blackburne, Esq. M.P., in May, 1818, excited very great attention. An opinion prevailed that the plant would die when the seeds arrived at maturity, and, consequently, the progress of fructification was anxiously watched. The contrary, however, was the case; as the palm flourished amazingly, and has continued to produce flowers and fruit almost annually, up to the present moment (July 15. 1828).

It was presented, when a small plant, to the grandfather of our worthy Member for the County, by Lord Petre, of Essex, who was a relation of his through his sister-in-law. Mr. Blackburne, sen., then resided at Örford Hall, near Warrington, where he had a very large collection, and an excellent assortment of rare and valuable plants. Indeed, the gardens were considered so fine, and the acquirements of the scientific possessor held in such high estimation, that it has been said Linnæus himself visited Orford Hall.

Forster, who sailed round the world with Captain Cooke, has perpetuated the name of Blackburne in the vegetable world, in the Blackbúrnia pinnata +, out of respect to the elder Mr. Blackburne and his daughter; and Pennant has equally consigned it to posterity, in the animal kingdom, in the Sylvia Blackburnia, out of compliment to Mrs. Anne Blackburne.

This lady was an excellent ornithologist, and had a truly valuable collection of birds, and other subjects of natural history. So indefatigable was Mrs. Anne in her favourite pursuits, that she studied and acquired a knowledge of Latin, in order to enable her to correspond with Linnæus. The letters are preserved, and are highly spoken of.

The palm remained at Orford till 1817,. when it was taken to Hale. The fears which were entertained as to the effect its removal might produce were soon allayed, by the rapid growth and improvement of the plant. +

There is some doubt whether this took place, no memorandum of such a visit having been found. Two of Linnæus's pupils, however, Swedes, came down, one of whom was named Fabricius. They spoke English tolerably, but Latin fluently. The present Mr. Blackburne recollects conversing with them in the latter language, and remarking, at the time, how well they spoke it. The elder Mr. Blackburne was in the habit of receiving many eminent naturalists.

+ "Blackbúrnia, sic ob ingentia merita in rem naturalem appellata a Joanne Blackburne, Armig., qui Orfordiæ, Lancastriensis Comitatûs, in horto amoenissimo plurimas exoticas plantas colit; et ab ejus filia Anna Blackburne quæ non solum eodem in plantas amore fertur, verum etiam incredibili solertia, aves, insecta, testacea innumera undique collegit. Pater et filia mihi in Warringtoniâ degenti usum horti et musei instructissimi lubentissimè obtulerunt." (Characteres Generum Plantarum, &c., J. et G. Forster. 1776.)

[The Blackbúrnia received its name in commemoration of John Blackburne, Esq., an excellent naturalist, who cultivated many exotic plants in his delightful garden at Orford in Lancashire; and also of his daughter Anne, an ardent lover of botany, and a diligent collector of birds, insects, and testacea. During my residence at Warrington, both father and daughter kindly offered me the use of the garden and excellent museum.] Jussieu has ranged this plant under the genus Ptèlea.

Hale Hall is situated on the banks of the river Mersey, about eleven miles south-east of Liverpool, on the Lancashire side. Latitude, about 53° 20′ N.; and longitude, west from Greenwich, about 2° 47′.

"Palms," says our late lamented president, Sir James Edward Smith, "are formed of successive circular crowns of leaves, which spring directly from the root. These leaves and

their footstalks are furnished with bundles of large sap vessels and returning vessels, like the leaves of our trees. When one circle of them has performed its office, another is formed

within it, which, being confined below, necessarily rises a little above the former. Thus successive circles grow one above the other, by which the vertical increase of the plant is almost without end." This is fully exemplified in the palm at Hale. In 1818 the insertion of the lowest leaf was only about 2 ft. from the ground; it is now 5 ft. 2 in., and the "spurious stem," as Sir James calls it, is strongly marked by the remains of the former footstalks. These are about 8 ft.

long from the stem to the base of the frond. The latter 10 ft. across its largest diameter, and 6 ft. 6 in. from the insertion of the footstalk to its apex. The largest fronds, and those whose insertion is about 10 ft. from the ground, are obliged to be tied down, or it would be impossible for the palm to grow, the house being only 21 ft. 6 in. in the centre. The total height of the plant is 22 ft., and the total length of the leaves 16 ft., and their breadth 10 ft. The number of leaves is thirty.