Description of TULLIALLAN CASTLE. THIS ancient castle is situated in

the parish of the same name, which lies in that part of the county of Perth interposed between Fife and Clackmannan. It is about half a mile from the banks of the Forth, immediately behind the town of Kincardine. Nothing remains of it, except the walls, and the arch over the ground flat, which consists of three rooms. In two of the rooms the arch is supported by a pillar standing in the centre, of about 5 feet 4 inches in circumference. Some remains of a

ditch are still visible, which shew it to have been once a place of strength. The grounds round it compose the barony of Tulliallan, a name which signifies the Beautiful Hill, supposed from its appearance, consisting of a fine sloping bank covered with verdure. It is the property of Mr Erskine of Cardross, who, as well as his predecessor, Colonel Erskine, improved it greatly by extensive plan

tations.

Improvements and New Institutions

throughout SCOTLAND. THE trades of Montrose have presented a petition to the Magis

trates and Council, that they may be allowed to elect their own representatives in the Magistracy. This they insist was their ancient right and practice, and that it is only in the course of the present century that the custom crept in, of the Magistrates electing their own successors. understand that the town council has, in the handsomest manner, admitted this claim.

We

Loud complaints are making at Aberdeen respecting the present state of its harbour. Four years ago, Mr Telford, at the suggestion of the Magistrates, drew up a plan for extending the pier, forming wet docks, and annihilating the bar which at present obstructs the entrance of the harbour. The estimate was £.54,000.

Nearly the whole of this sum, it is said, has been expended upon the pier, which, from a miscalculation of the force of the sea, has not proved sufficient; so that every successive winter, a great part of it has been demolished by the violence of the waves. It is now asserted, that the next easterly gale will reduce it to a heap of loose stones, and thus render useless all the money expended.

We are happy to learn from Inverness, that the proposal for establishing a Northern Horticultural Society

is likely to take effect. It is intended to propose for adoption, with a few alterations suited to the circumstances of the country, the regulations of the Caledonian Horticultural Society; that the annual contribution is to be a Guinea'; and the Council to be chosen from among such members as may reside at Inverness, or within an easy distance from it, so as to insure a regular attendance on the routine

business.

We were happy to learn that the Committee of the Union Canal had come to an agreement with the Magistrates of this city, through the medium of Mr Rennie. It was agreed that the Union Canal should proceed from Burntsfield Links to Lock No. 16, on the Forth and Clyde navigation, and should afterwards be carried down to Leith docks, according to a line to be given by Mr Rennie. We find it stated, however, that this agreement has not met the approbation of the subscribers. The principal clause to which they object, is that by which they are bound to receive only 5 per cent. until the canal is prolonged to Leith. The level also is 40 feet higher, and the line 6 miles longer, than that proposed by Mr Baird. For these reasons, they conceive that the undertaking upon this new plan would prove altogether unprofitable.

The Committee of management for the Dundee Lunatic asylum are preparing an account of their proceed ings. They state that the money already received amounts to £.569, and the sum still unprovided for, to £.1250. They entertain sanguine hopes, however, of soon obtaining sufficient funds, and of completing the work by Whitsunday next.

The town of Dundee continues to be violently agitated on the subject of the proposed Harbour improve ment. The Magistrates, however, are bringing their bill into parliament; but the merchants, ship-owners, &c.

have appointed a Committee to watch over their proceedings.

The village of Galashiels is at this time in great animation; the woollen manufacture being uncommonly brisk, and a most rapid advance has been made of late both in the quantity and in the quality of goods. Mr Scott, the proprietor, has just come of age, and has set about a great number of improvements. The village is now embellished with an elegant and comfortable new church, and the foundation stone is laid, at his own expence, of a new bridge over the Gala, instead of the old one, which has long continued the terror of every passen ger.

MONTHLY MEMORANDA IN NATURAS HISTORY.

Botanic Garden, Leith Walk.

AT this dead season of the year, se

veral very rare and curious plants have flowered in the stoves and greenhouse of this garden. Among these may be mentioned Brachysema lati folium, a small shrub sent from New Holland in 180S, by Mr R. Brown, the botanist attached to the expedition of discovery under the ill-fated Capt. Flinders. This plant shewed its fine scarlet flowers in the beginning of December; but, as might be expect ed at this period of the year, when the temperature depends entirely on fire-heat, the flowers have not been succeeded by pods. The plant has not yet been figured; and indeed we believe this to be the only living spe cimen in the kingdom, excepting one in Kew garden. Ardisia chacotii, a shrub belonging to the Solanaceæ, may likewise be mentioned: it has lately been brought from China, and is very little known, not having yet appeared in any British catalogue: it threw out flowers a short time ago, and is now covered with red fruit.

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During the last seven years *, we have, at different times, taken occasion to praise the extent and variety of the botanical collection at this garden, and the zeal of its superintendant f, and, at the same time, to lament the ruinous state of the hot-houses, and the general want of funds, too plainly evinced by the insufficiency and even paltriness of the whole materiel of the establishment. In as far as regards number and rarity of plants, we believe that the Botanic garden of Edinburgh is at this moment inferior only to the Royal Garden of Kew.-But it is painful to add, that such is the deplorable state of decay of the timber-work of the hot-houses, that it seems questionable if the roofs will be able to withstand another such tempest as they had lately to encounter 1. The most valuable part, therefore, of this fine collection may be destined to perish in a single stormy and frosty night.

The important improvement of bringing Leith Walk nearly to an equal declivity, has had the effect, in a manner, of burying this garden; and it is understood to be now seriously in contemplation to abandon it, and form a new botanic garden in a more eligi-. ble situation. Even if this be the case, it is nevertheless true, that very considerable repairs are indispensable, and ought immediately to be executed; for the removing of the plants must be the work of at least two seasons; and if the necessary repairs be withheld, it is pretty evident that there will soon be no tender exotics

this time, for indulging in a very few remarks on its projected successor..

In fixing on the new site, one of the first considerations, doubtless, must be proximity to the city, for the conveniency of the professor and students. The general aspect of the ground, as sloping to the south or otherwise, and the shelter it naturally enjoys, or which may be created by screen plantations, hedge - rows, or walls, will fall next to be considered.. The kind of soil and subsoil may then claim attention; but these, unless very bad indeed, can be altered or meliorated. It would be very desirable that a small stream should flow through the grounds; and the space should be ample, extending to at least three times the size of the present garden.

The Leith Walk garden does honour to the taste and liberality of those who planned it. It is small, indeed; but, fifty years ago, it was adequate to the state of the science,-to the opportunities enjoyed of procuring plants, and to the condition of the Scottish capital, which was then making only the first advances from poverty and homeliness. Now, however, that Edinburgh has attained so high a degree of opulence and splendour,

and since the number of plants introduced into the country, and which ought to be found in a botanic collection, is increased fourfold,—it is evident that the new garden will be expected very far to surpass the old one, both in capaciousness of surface and in elegance of design. It ought not surely to be inferior in any respect to the Botanic Garden of the Dublin Society, or that belonging to the merchants of Liverpool. Yet these possess extensive departments for popular classes of plants, (such as the Cerealia, and the Frutices,) which have been entirely excluded, for want of room, from the present Edinburgh garden. There ought even to be a Sylva in the new garden,where gentle

men