evaporation of the moisture within. In the bottle these plants remained for more than three years, during which time not one drop of water was given to them, nor was the cover removed. The Poa flowered the second year, but did not ripen its seeds; and about five or six fronds of the Aspidium were annually developed, but neither thecæ nor sporules were produced. These plants accidentally perished, from the rusting of the lid and the consequent admission of rain, which caused them to rot. During the last twelvemonth I have tried this method with more than thirty species of ferns, with uniform success. Many other plants which grow in moist situations will succeed equally well when treated in this way. To mention one instance : I transplanted some roots of Listera Nidus-avis about three weeks ago. Those which I placed in my fern-boxes grew most rapidly, while the remainder, treated in the usual manner, completely withered away. I have the pleasure of submitting two of my boxes to the inspection of the Linnean Society. My valued friend Capt. Mallard, whose active zeal in the cause of Science is well known to many Fellows of the Linnean as well as of the Zoological Society, has engaged to convey these boxes on an experimental voyage to New Holland; and I hope, on his return, to find that they have not lost their character by being transported.

I am, My Dear Sir,

To David Don, Esq.

Yours very truly,

N. B. WARD.

(B)

Copy of a Letter from CHARLES MALLARD, Esq., R.N. to the

Sir,

Author.

Hobart Town,

November 23, 1833.

You will, I am sure, be much pleased to hear that your experiment for the preservation of plants alive, without the necessity of water or open exposure to the air, has fully succeeded.

The two boxes entrusted to my care, containing ferns, mosses, grasses, &c., are now on the poop of the ship, (where they have been all the voyage); and the plants, (with the exception of two or three ferns which appear to have faded), are all alive and vigorous.

During the very hot weather near the equator, I gave them once a light sprinkling of water, and that is all they have received during the passage.

All the plants have grown a great deal, particularly the grasses, which have been attempting to push the top of the box off.

I shall carry them forward to Sydney, according to your instructions, and have no doubt of delivering them into the hands of Mr. Cunningham in the same flourishing state in which they are at present.

Allow me, in conclusion, to offer to you my warm congratulations upon the success of this simple but beautiful discovery for the preservation of plants in the living state upon the longest voyages; and I feel not a little pride in

having been the instrument by which the truth of your new principle has been fully proved by experiment.

I am, Sir, &c. &c.

To N. B. Ward, Esq.

CHARLES MALLARD.

(C)

Copy of a Letter from CHARLES MALLARD, Esq., R.N., to the

Author.

Sydney, January 18, 1834.

Sir, I have the happiness to inform you that the plants contained in the two glazed cases entrusted to my care, were landed here at the Botanical Garden about three weeks ago, nearly the whole of them alive and flourishing. They have since been transplanted by Mr. McLean, who has charge of the garden in the absence of Mr. Cunningham (gone to New Zealand botanizing), and are all doing well.

The complete success of your interesting experiment has been decidedly proved; and whilst offering you my congratulations upon this agreeable result, I cannot but feel some little degree of pride and pleasure in having been the instrument selected to put to the proof so important a discovery to the botanical world.

I am, Sir, &c. &c.

To N. B. Ward, Esq.

CHARLES MALLARD.

1

Sir,

(D)

Copy of a Letter from MR. TRAILL to the Author.

Cairo, April 30, 1835.

I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 2nd ult., wherein you request information as to the state of the plants sent by you in the Nile steamer.* The collection consisted, I believe, of 173 species, contained in six glazed cases, two of which only were forwarded to me from Alexandria. The one which you mention as having been fitted up with talc, together with three others, were sent on to Syria + immediately on their arrival in Alexandria, so that I had no opportunity of seeing them. I have, however, the pleasure to inform you that the Egyptian portion of the collection was received here in the very best condition: the plants, when removed from the cases, did not appear to have suffered in the slightest degree; they were in a perfectly fresh and vigorous state, and, in fact, hardly a leaf had been lost during their passage. Your plan, I think decidedly a good one, and ought to be made generally known.

I am, Sir, &c. &c.

J. TRAILL.

To N. B. Ward, Esq.

* In August, 1834.

+ These cases were seen by Col. Higgins of the Engineers, in the garden of the Seraglio, at Beyrout, at the late evacuation of that place by the Egyptians.

List of Plants contained in the two cases sent to Egypt.