We observed several plants of this species of Myosotis, with some flowers perfectly yellow, some crimson, and others blue, all blossoming at one time on the same stem.

We are informed that the decoction, or the juice, of the Myosotis Palustris has the peculiar property of hardening steel, and that if edged tools of that metal be made red-hot, and then quenched in the juice or decoction, and this be repeated several times, that the steel will become so hard as to cut iron, or even stone, without turning the edge.

In the Netherlands, it is common to make a syrup of the juice of the Myosotis, which is given as a remedy against consumptive coughs.

SCARLET FUCHSIA. Fuchsia Coccinea.

Natural Order Myrtoidea. A Genus of the Octandria Monogynia Class.

From the blooming store

Of these auspicious fields, may I unblamed
Transplant some living blossoms, to adorn

My native clime.

AKENSIDE.

THIS beautiful exotic plant is a native of Chili, and although it has now become familiar to most parts of Europe, it was unknown to the old world until the year 1788, when it was presented by Captain Firth to the Royal Garden at Kew, from whence it was soon afterwards distributed as a stove plant. From the stove it was removed to the greenhouse, and it is now found to be sufficiently hardy to stand the open garden, if planted in warm situations, where it is sheltered from the north by a wall or buildings; and, like the China Roses, which were for some years treated as a tender plant, the Fuchsia is found to grow with greater luxuriance in the open air, than when nursed as a house plant.

Mr. Lee, of Hammersmith, was the first of our nurserymen who had this plant for sale, which,

from its great beauty, brought a high price for several years, until its easy propagation became generally known.

This plant was named Fuchsia, in honour of Leonard Fuch, a famous German botanist of the sixteenth century; and we do not find that it bears any other name in Europe, nor have we been able to ascertain its original South American name.

We have placed the Fuchsia, in the language of flowers, as the emblem of taste; for with its richly-coloured blossoms, there is a peculiar harmony and beauty in the unassuming appearance of the flowers, which hang with so much gracefulness from amongst the elegant-shaped foliage of this plant. The length of the stamens also adds greatly to the beauty of these pendent blossoms, having the appearance of so many gems suspended from a small roll of the richest violet-coloured ribbon, over which the beautiful carmine calyx hangs like a half-expanded parachute, allowing only a glimpse of the purple petals to be seen between the openings, the whole being headed by an emerald-coloured receptacle for the seed. The calyx-buds, before they are expanded, have the appearance of ripe barberries; and the young branches and the leaves of the plant have the veins tinged with the same fine crimson colour, which contributes greatly to the beauty of the plant.

The Fuchsia grows from four to six feet in height, but when protected from the frost it frequently attains a much greater height. We have seen it in conservatories from ten to fifteen feet, having all the lower branches pruned off, and thus forming a tree of the most enchanting appearance, the least breath of air setting all the pendent flowers in a graceful motion, an effect which cannot be given to the plant when kept as a shrub, or trained to a wall. The Fuchsia loves a rich light earth. It is easily increased by cuttings planted under a bell-glass, in the same manner as myrtles are raised, observing to give air, so as to prevent damping off. Where a number of plants are required, it is more desirable to raise them from seed, which should be sown in pots of rich earth placed in a hotbed.

HYDRANGEA, OR CHINESE GUELDERROSE. Hydrangea Hortensis.

Natural Order Succulenta. Saxifrage, Juss. A Genus of the Decandria Digynia Class.

Witness the sprightly joy, when aught unknown
Strikes the quick sense, and wakes each active pow'r
To brisker measures.

AKENSIDE.

FEW flowers ever excited greater interest than the Hydrangea produced on its first introduction into Europe; nor do we remember an instance of any tender plant having become common in so short a period. The extraordinary size of the cymes of the flowers which this plant produces, even when confined in a small pot of earth, was a novelty alone sufficient to recommend it to every collector of exotic flowers. When it first became known in Paris, it was so eagerly sought after, and bore so high a price, as to make the fortune. of the florist who had procured the first plants from England.

In this country we have followed the Hydrangea from the stove to the green-house, and from the green-house to the balconies of the wealthy and the casements of the cottagers, with a rapidity that