H. tuberosus.—­The well-known Jerusalem artichoke; not a plant grown for ornament, being too coarse and late in flowering, but several things in its history may be mentioned, as Dr. Asa Gray has spent labor and study over it.  It is believed to have been cultivated by the natives before the discovery of America, and the edible tubers are thought to be a development of cultivation.  Forms of it without tuberous roots are found wild, but whether indigenous to the place or degenerate from cultivation was for long uncertain.  Several species of Helianthus have a tendency to produce similar fleshy tubers at the top of the roots.  Dr. Gray used to refer the origin of this species to H. doronicoides, but it is now believed by him to be a distinct species, though one of which it is difficult to identify with certainty the typical form.

I omitted to say that the word Helianthus is Greek for sunflower.  After several years’ careful observation, I believe the notion that the flowers keep their face to the sun is quite a delusion.

Edge Hall.  C. WOLLEY DOD.

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A QUICK FILTER.—­The Druggists Circular recommends chamois skin, free from thin places; cut it of the desired size; wash it in a weak solution of sal soda, or any alkali, to remove the grease, and rinse thoroughly in cold water before using.

Tinctures, elixirs, sirups, and even mucilages are filtered rapidly.  A pint of the thickest sirup will run through in four or five minutes.  By washing thoroughly after each time of using, it will last a long time.

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LYE’S FUCHSIAS.

The group of fuchsias shown in our engraving represents a collection of nine specimens raised and exhibited by that well known cultivator, Mr. James Lye, of Clyffe Hall Gardens, Market Lavington, at an exhibition held in Bath in September last, and which received the first prize in the premier class for that number of plants.  For many years past Mr. Lye has exhibited fuchsias at exhibitions held at Bath, Trowbridge, Devizes, Calne, Chippenham, and elsewhere; on all occasions staging specimens of a high order of merit; but the plants appearing in our illustration were universally regarded as the best he had ever placed in an exhibition tent.  So much were the committee of the Bath show pleased with the specimens that they engaged the services of a photographer to make a picture of them on the spot; but after being two hours making the attempt, no satisfactory result occurred.  After the plants were taken back to Clyffe Hall, they were photographed as seen in the illustration.  Some idea of their height and dimensions can be realized by a comparison with the stature of Mr. Lye, who is standing by his plants, and who is of average height.  It should be mentioned that previous to being photographed they had traveled by road from Market Lavington to