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Lapeyrousia fissifelia: the Gladiolus fissifelius, of Jacquin and Vahl, but very properly separated from that genus by Mr. Gawler; this article contains an enumeration of the species, in which Mr. G. no longer makes Lamark's. Ixia fastigiata, distinct from L. corymbosa.

Moræa pavonia, Mr. Gawler had before shown that what Mr. Curtis called Iris pavonia, in a former part of the Magazine, was a variety of Moræa tricuspis. The present very rare and beautiful species, as well as the last, was figured from the collection of Lee and Kennedy. Centaurea macrocephala, of Count Mushin Pushkin, native of Caucasus, never before figured, communicated by Mr. Loddiges, of Hackney.

Erica aristata, a showy and rare species, from the collection of Mr. Williams, of Turnham Green.

Erica andromeda fora. Another species, altogether deserving of the same epithets, from the collection of Mr. Knight, nursery-man, King's road, late gardener to Mr. Hibbert. The specific characters of both the above species of Erica, are taken from the unpublished edition of the Hortus Kewensis; and we are encouraged by this, in the belief that the excellent botanist Mr. Dryander, a pupil of Linnæus, is seriously engaged in the publication of that useful work.

Hedysarum capitatum. Another native of Mount Caucasus, from Loddiges's garden. The name seems to be hesitatingly adopted from Desfontanes. The peculiar shape of the -ra-” eeme, from the lower flowers being close oppressed to the stalk, whilst those recently expanded are patent, suggested to Dr. Sims the English name of Sceptre-flowered; and should it hereafter turn out that it is different from the capitatum of the Flora atlantica, the name' of sceptriformis will probably be adopted.

In No. 276 of the Botanical Magazine, we have Cyanella lutea; a very rare species. Mr. Gawler has framed a new generic character.

(Amaryllis Ornata Var. a), or the Cape-coast Lily. Mr. Gawler at first considered the Cape-coast Lily, the Ceylon Lily, and the great White flowered Lily from Sierra Leone, as the same species; he has since, at the suggestion of Mr. Dryander, separated the last, under the name of A. gigantea. He still considers the two former as mere varieties: in plants" of so very natural an order, both the species and the genera are so very indistinctly marked, that it is extremely difficult to decide what are species and what are varieties, and to which genus many species belong. In this instance, we are inclined to side with the cultivators, who are best acquainted with the plants in every stage of their growth, and who, one and' all, consider the Cape-coast Lily and the Ceylon Lily, as distinct species.

Hesperantha pilosa (B), a smooth variety. This genus was framed by Mr. Gawler, out of the large heterogeneous assemblage, under the name of Ixia, and contains a set of species which are night-flowering and very fragrant.

Grissorhiza setacea: another newly established genus, from the same assemblage. Mr. Gawler has here united three of his former species, viz. setacea, rochensis, and obtusata, under one, considering them as mere varieties; we think cultivation must determine the question. Impatiens coccinea, a new and showy species of Balsam, introduced from the East Indies by Dr. Roxburgh, and cultivated in the stove, at Mr. Salisbury's Botanic Garden.

Campanula peregrina; a species of Bell-flower, known for some years in our gardens; but of very doubtiul origin. From its habir, it is, as Dr. Sims observes, very unlikely to be a production of the Cape; Siberia or Northern Asia may lay a much more probable claim. Campanula barbata; an Alpine plant, native of Southern Europe.

Ibbetsonia genistoides. Mr. Salisbury, in the last volume of the Transactions of the Linnean Society, has pointed out several distinct genera, which have been heretofore huddled together, under the name of Sophora; many of the species, of which had no other claim to be considered as belonging to the same genus than that of having papilionaceous flowers, with ten distinct stamens. He had not however given the characters, or affixed any names to some of these genera. Dr. Sims has here adopted one of Mr. Salisbury's genera, has supplied the generic characters, and applied the name of Ibbetsonia, in honour of Mrs. Agnes Ibbetson, who has shown herselt to be a lady of superior talents, by several papers on vegetable physiology, published in Nicholson's Philosophical Journal. The species here figured, has been long known in collections of rare plants under the name of Sophora genistoides.

We have not received any number of the Botanist's Repository since our last Report. Of English Botany, two numbers have been published, which contain together only seven phenogamic species.

Stachys arabigua. Supposed to be a new species from Scotland. To us it appears to approach in habit to a Galeopsis.

Lotus corniculatus and Lotus major. In the Flora Britannica, Dr. Smith has enumerated these plants as varieties; they are now considered by him as distinct species, of which we should think there can be little doubt, but cultivation would perhaps determine the question more satisfactorily.

Aira lævigata ; a supposed new species of grass from Scotland; it approaches A. cæspitosa, and may perhaps be a viviparous Alpine variety of that species, notwithstanding the differ ence in the rachis, Dr, Smith has made a curious observation from this plant, that in the viviparous forets, the change of the glumes into leaves, is evinced by the awn remaining a the top of the leaf.

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Charophyllum

Charophyllum aureum; discovered in Scotland by Mr. George Don. Few botanists, Dr. Smith remarks, are at all acquainted with this species, nor is the aureum of the species plantarum the same as that in the Mantissa. The Scotch plant is the same as the former. Rumex aquaticus. Too large a plant to be well figured on so small a plate,

Spergula saginoides; found by the late Mr. J. Mackay, on Ben Lawers in 1794, and previously by Mr. Don on Mal-ghyrdy. It has ten stamens, though Professor Swartz describes but five. Dr. Smith observes that this plant, whether it be the same with that of Swartz or not, is certainly the same as that of Linnæus.

MONTHLY AGRICULTURAL REPORT.

THE state of the season has changed considerably since our last; the greatest part of the month having been attended with frost, snow, and occasional thaws, which have, oa the whole, been favourable to the young wheats, especially those of the more forward kind. The work of ploughing up the leys and stubbles, have been greatly impeded through the month, by these causes; and but little of that necessary business has been able to be performed.

Turnips, cabbages, and other green cattle crops, though abundant on the ground, do not hold out well in being consumed, in many districts, in consequence of the injury which they have suffered by the previous continued wetness of the weather; nor do the animals thrive so well as usual upon them.

The same is the case with potatoes, for though the crops were in general very productive, they have not by any means kept so well, as is common with this valuable root, but more speedily run into decay and dissolution. The larger sorts are likewise found more hollow and bad within, than is generally the case.

The importations of grain from other countries, have fortunately kept down the advancing price of that essential article, so as to remain nearly as in our last. Wheat fetches from bos. to 86s. per quarter; Barley, 42s. to 46s.; Oats, 22s. to 38s. Store cattle and sheep stock have hitherto been carried on with little inconvenience to the farmer; but the trying part of the season is yet to come. How the dry fodder and green crops, which are to sup port them, may hold out, cannot yet be well foreseen.

Fattening stock has been tolerably forced on in most cases, but perhaps with a little more trouble than usual. Beef fetches from 4s. 8d. to 6s. 4d. per stone of 8ib.; Mutton, 4s. 8d. to 6s. Os.; Pork, 5s. 4d. to 6s. 8d.

The state of the hay markets is much as in our last. Hay fetches from 51, 10s. to Gl. 10s. per load; Clover, 61. 10s. to 71. 16s.; Straw, 21. 10s. to 31.

The making and repairing of the fences, have not been capable of being much attended to this month, the workman having been chiefly confined to barn labour, from the state of the weather.

METEOROLOGICAL REPORT.

Observations on the State of the Weather, from the 24th of December, 1809, to the 24th of January, 1810, inclusive, Four Miles N.N.W. of St. Paul's,

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ALTHOUGH we have had rain and snow on several days during the month, yet the quantity collected in the rain gauge, is too small to be noticed till our next report. The average temperature has not varied materially from that of the last month: it being for December 365, and for January 359-71; we have, however, had some very severe weather, the. thermometer being once at 15°. or 170. below the freezing point; once at 16°. once at 19". and on ten other days, it was as low, or lower, than the freezing point. Considering the small quantity of rain fallen, the mean height of the barometer must be regarded as very low, being only 29-661. The fogs have not been frequent nor very thick; but some very dark days have been noticed, in which, at this place, it was almost impossible to see to read or to wite till late in the forenoon. The wind has blown chiefly from the westerly points, though on several of the latter days, it has come from the north-east.

Highgate.

PRICES

PRICES OF STOCKS, from the 26th of DECEMBER, 1809. to the 25th of January, 1810, both inclusive.

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N. B. In the 3 per Cent. Consols the highest and lowest Prices are given; in the other Stocks, the highest only. WM. TURQUAND, Stock and Exchange Broker No. 9, St. Michael's Alley, Cornhill.

MONTHLY MAGAZINE.

No. 196.]

MARCH 1, 1810.

[2. of VOL. 29.

"As long as those who write are ambitious of making Converts, and of giving their Opinions a Maximum of Influence and Celebrity, the most extensively circulated Mifcellany will repay with the greatest Effect the "Curiofity of those who read either for Amusement or Inftruction."—JOHNSON,

FOR

ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS.

For the Monthly Magazine. ACCOUNT of the HERRING FISHERY at WICK; by SIR JOHN SINCLAIR, BART. NOR some years past, a herring-fishery has been carried on along the eastern coast of Caithness, more especially in the neighbourhood of Wick, Staxigo, Clyth, Lybster, Dunbeath, &c. which is likely to become a very great national object. It is of considerable importance indeed, even in its present state, as will appear from the following general view of it; but that is nothing to the extent to which it will probably be brought, when the harbour of Wick is completed, (which will be effected in the course of next year); when the other crecks along that coast are better fitted for the accommodation of boats and vessels; and when the fishery is extended to Thurso, and the northern coast of Caithness, which there is every reason to hope will be the case in the course of the ensuing summer. Present and general State of the Wick Fishery.

1. Number of vessels, averaging 50 tons each, employed in bringing to Wick, &c. the raw materials of the fishery, as salt, casks, staves, &c. 150.

2. Number of hands employed on board these vessels, 750.

3. Number of boats and other vessels employed in the fishery itself, 550.

4. Number of hands employed on board these boats and vessels, 2750.

5. Number of hands employed in various other branches of the fishery, as coopers, net-makers, gutters, packers, &c. 2,200.

6. Total number of hands employed in the fishery, and the various branches therewith connected, 5,700.

7. Number of barrels of smoked and salted herrings, on the average of this and the preceding year, about 50,000.

8. Total number of herrings caught and cured, at the rate of 700 herrings per barrel, (besides great quantities consumed in a fresh state,) thirty-five millions.

9. Number of vessels employed in transporting the herrings from Wick, &c. to other ports, 150.

MONTHLY MAG. No. 196.

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10. Number of hands employed therein, 750.

11, Number of acres which the nets, when spread out for drying, would cover, $68. 12. Number of miles the total length of the nets, one following the other, 114. Wick, &c. at 32s. per barrel, 82,0001. 13. Value of the herrings exported from

14. Price of each herring at that rate, 2

farthings, and about one-fifth of a farthing.

15. Value of each barrel of herrings, on the calculation that a barrel of herrings is equal to one of beef, 51, 12s.

16. Annual value of the fishery on that calculation, 28,0007.

There can be no doubt that a barrel

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of herrings, properly cured, is equal to one of beet; and many have calculated the proportion at a still higher rate. is of the utmost importance, therefore, to increase that branch of the fishery, more especially for the advantage of the poor, as salted herrings not only give a relish to the potatoes* and other vegetables they consume, but are also of the greatest benefit to the poor, from the nourishment they afford. The importauce of the fishery as a nursery for seamen, need not be dwelt upon.

It may be proper to add, that this fishery is not carried on solely for the lo

*The best mode of using salted herrings with potatoes, is as follows:-Let the pota toes be parboiled, and then the skins taken off; let the herrings and potatoes be then thoroughly boiled together, and put on a dish for consumption. Some take out the bones, and mash the herrings and the potatoes together, which makes a most excellent meal. "If this mode were more generally practised, the internal consumption of berrings throughout the country would indeed be great. There is hardly a family in the kingdom that would not find it for their advantage to purchase from one to two barrels of salted herrings, and upwards, to be consumed in this manner. When to this is added foreign and colonial exportation, it is difficult to point out the limits to which the herring-fishery might be carried, under adequate encouragement.

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cal advantage of any particular district; but that numbers of vessels, from various other parts of the kingdom, assemble there, during the fishing-season, and enjoy by far the greater share of the profit derived therefrom. Nothing indeed can be more pleasing than to see the stir and bustle which the fishery (even on the contracted scale 'on which it is now established) occasions, in the neighbourhood of Wick, in consequence of the number of strangers who flock to it from the southern counties, when the herrings make their appearance. But when, instead of 50,000, the fishery is increased to the extent of 500,000 barrels and upwards, (which there is every reason to hope, under the protection of the new fishery-board, will soon be the case,) it will then become an object of the most essential national importance, and well deserving of every possible attention and encouragement that can be bestowed upon it.

To the Editor of the Monthly Magazine.

SIR,

of

HE Smithfield Club, instituted in TH the year 1798, for the purpose ascertaining, by an annual exhibition, what breeds of oxen, sheep, and pigs, will improve the most in weight of meat for the market, in a given time and with a given consumption of food, distributed their annual prizes in December last, on the award of Mr. John Tomalin, of Knightsthorp, Leicestershire; Mr. Francis Whitfield,' of East Stone, near Ashford, Kent; and Mr. Edward Augur, of Eastbourne, Sussex the three judges appointed for examining the many fine animals exhibited, and the several certificates of their breeds, ages, food, &c. Below is a return of the particulars:*

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PRIZE OXEN.

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Mr. John Edmond's 6-year old lightbrown Herefordshire ox, worked more than two years, and fed on grass and hay Mr. John Terrett's 6-year old red longhorned ox, worked two years, and fed on grass, hay, and oil-cakes Mr. William Webber's 6-year old whitelegged Devonshire ox, worked three years, and fed on grass and hay Mr. John Terrett's 4-year old dark-red Herefordshire ox, not worked, fed on grass, bay, and Swede turnips

Mr. Michael Buckley's 3-year old red Devonshire ox, not worked, fed on grass, hay, and turnips

Mr. Edward Boddington's 4-year old black Scotch ox, fed on grass, hay, and turnips

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