When, after a long voyage, the adventurous traveler, on leaving the deck of his vessel, first feels the sand under his feet, as he steps on shore in some distant land, his searching eyes will be met with many novel sights, strange to his former vision. And should he be a lover of nature, and pause to gaze at the wonderful vegetation of South Africa, in the vicinity of Table Mountain, and beyond, he will be bewildered at the sight of so much unusual beauty. And if he arrive when the many lovely species of bulbous-rooted plants are blooming, some of which kinds he may have nursed with tender care at home; or watched with curious expectation the many grotesque examples of succulent plants, which everywhere, with their odd-shaped and abnormal forms, attract his attention; especially the singular genus of mesembryanthemum, of which there are between four and five hundred species flowering around him, he will be much amazed. Nor will his surprise be less, when he beholds so many kinds of pelargoniums, some of which sorts he remembers as having seen long ago. And how plain before the mind's eye will appear the unforgotten greenhouse at home, where, when a boy, he first beheld these odorous and pretty favorites of the olden time.

And among these, upwards of two hundred dissimilar species, many of which, both foliage and flowers, are fragrant; with curiously blotched and beautifully pencilled petals, in every shade of coloring, from pure white, to brilliant scarlet, and crimson; he will find much to admire.

Of what Diaz, the Portuguese navigator, thought of " The Dark Continent," when first he landed there, differing so much as it does from the physical configuration of his native land, history remains silent. Yet, we can hardly suppose that at the sight of the fine, portly green trees, handsome shrubs, and pretty flowers, he could remain indifferent, after being so long tempest-tossed, about what he aptly termed the "Cape of Storms." But dismissing for the present the notice of many interesting plants which flourish there, I will endeavor to confine my remarks to the genus Erica, and of that particular section known as Cape Heaths.

On leaving the quaint looking old city and environs of Cape Town, formerly settled by the Dutch in 1652, the enthusiastic traveler soon begins to meet here and there, a variety of the small, handsome evergreen Ericas, as a foretaste of what is in reserve for him, as he journeys upwards and onwards. And presuming he is one of those inquisitive persons, who let nothing escape their keen observation, his progress will be slow indeed. On all sides, and especially while passing over the long stretches of undulating country, his attention will continually be drawn towards the increasing numbers, in many varieties, of these elegant miniature flowering shrubs. And, if he fortunately knows their botanical names, he will be much pleased with the winsome features he joyfully recognizes, like the meeting of old companions after many years. And numbers of free growing kinds, such as Erica cerinthoides major, from three to five feet high; E. dichromata, from lour to six feet; E. vernalis, six to seven feet; E. Masson-iana, eight or nine feet, and E. euriolaris, twelve to fifteen feet; he will occasionally meet, overtopping those of a more dwarfed and compact habit; such as E. comosa, E. nigrita, E. blanda, E. petio-lata, E. minima, E. elegans, and E. carnea.

To specify individual kinds by name, from upwards of five hundred indigenous varieties, would give the reader but a faint idea of what they are like, unless well versed in botanical nomenclature. And as he approaches the rising ground, along the well beaten path which winds up the mountain sides, further on, these ligneous gems assume a more symmetrical and sturdy habit, and if possible, become more beautiful, until the summit of Table Mountain is reached.

After hard and persistent struggling up and along the tortuous and rugged footpath, which frequently doubles and zigzags among immense masses of detached rocks; through deep defiles and apparently impassable chasms, along which the purest spring water comes splashing over precipitous cascades, from near the apex, the tired pedestrian will find an inviting resting place in a natural alcove. To his great surprise, he will then see what may seem incredible to old heath growers, who have only seen them in pots under glass; namely, low bushes of E. vestita elegans, and E princeps, flourishing with all the freedom of bog plants, in soil apparently never dry. While, per contra, E. pumila, E. densiflora, E. incana, and E. penicillata, seemed equally healthy, growing in small cracks or crevices, in the fissured rocks, where it was high and dry, with only a few grains of sand to root in.

The writer was completely nonplussed at the sight of healthy blooming heaths, growing upon the face of precipitous rocks, upon the sunny sides of which, it was unpleasantly hot to the touch; conditions, fatal to them under cultivation. It is well understood by those who are versed in vegetable physiology, that climatic and atmospheric influences are powerful factors conducive to the health and vigor of plant life. And thus, much which is apt to perplex us, from seeming so ultra-abnormal, at first sight, may often be accounted for; especially when we consider the external circumstances, which make so much difference to the welfare of indigenous plants, in their native habitats, to those unacclimated, from other lands.

Returning again to the subject, and following the ascending path, which to his intense delight, will be found closely margined on each side with handsome heaths; which absolutely cover every inch of soil possible to root in, with masses of highly prized species, the sight cannot fail to remind him of those he may have often admired at home. True, there are no legends of the past wound around them, as there are about the heath, or heather of other lands; of which, the poet has often sung. Savage Hottentots and Caffres, who for ages have ignorantly wandered among them, keep no historical records; and although no charm of romance invests them with anything prosy or poetical, they are, nevertheless, most intensely interesting to those who admire frutescent beauty. And whoever has enjoyed a ramble among them will not be likely to ever forget the peculiar, refreshing odor, arising from the myriads of pretty blossoms.

And while still ascending, at every onward step brilliant colors and fresh forms of heath beauty will delight the eye with pleasant changes, until, when near the summit, the novel sensation of passing above the fleecy clouds, which eternally drape the top of Table Mountain, will be experienced. Even when in cloudland, the somewhat stunted, though symmetrical, heaths will still be there. And with every possible tinge, or shade of green tiny leafage, these compact little plants seem to vie with each other, for the palm of grace and beauty. All of this large and interesting family are exquisitely bedecked with a profusion of delicate, lovely, waxlike flowers, from pure white, to flesh and cream color; yellow, dark green, light green, orange, and purple; red, pale red, red and green, red and yellow, red and orange, orange and purple, white and scarlet, to brilliant scarlet, crimson, flame color, etc.

Preferring to give form and color of flower, to mere technical terms, which I trust will give the reader a better idea of what they are like, I will as concisely as possible say, the styles or shapes of flowers, are tubular, or cylindrical, with some kinds long, while others again are short. Some species have inflated flowers, of fair size, while another division has small globed-shaped ones. Narrow necked, with wide spreading borders, form another type. Small oval shaped kinds, constitute another group; which is followed by one which has lovely flowers enclosed in inflated calixes; while another section has curious, though extremely pretty double flowers.

While "up above the world so high," the admirer of nature will get extensive views of land and sea. The magnificent panorama spread before him, will be scanned with intense interest, combining as it does, a matchless landscape, emerging into a marine picture, which fades in the dim distance of the deep blue sea.

"In prospects thus. some objects please our eyes.

The shapeless rock or hanging precipice, Which out of nature's common order rise".

As this imperfect notice is getting longer than I intended, I will meet the lover of floriculture nearer home. With every opportunity of seeing heaths, or ericas, both in a wild or cultivated state, I unhesitatingly pronounce them to be as interesting and beautiful plants as ever graced a greenhouse. And my long cherished hope of seeing them cultivated in this country, I trust will yet be realized.

Although the climate may be fickle and uncertain, yet, there is among the profession of horticulture, if properly qualified men are employed, and the opportunity given to exercise it, sufficient skill to grow and flower these matchless strangers, on this side the sea. In other words, no mere pretender must meddle with them, or disappointment will as certainly follow, as light comes with day. Of all plants with which I am acquainted, I know of none which require more practical skill in their management, than Cape Heaths. Presuming the above remarks may create a desire to possess a collection of these elegant plants, it is possible the reader may feel disappointed with the silence of the writer, for not fully stating how success may be achieved by those who are willing to try. But it would be a futile task, to attempt to convey the requisite knowledge, which can only be acquired by actual experience. Instead, I advise employing a competent man.

Of Ericas, a noted grower says: "No ligneous shrubs are better deserving of cultivation than the heaths. For of what other genus can it be said that every species, without exception, is beautiful throughout the year, and at every period of its growth; in flower or out of flower, and of every size and age; perpetually green, and perpetually in flower, and these flowers of various colors and sizes, and of many shapes?" Another, equally wise on the subject, says: "The two splendid natural orders, Ericacae, and Epacridaceae, (of which I made mention in a recent number of the Monthly,) perhaps contain a greater number of really beautiful plants, than are to be found in all the other orders put together." All of which your correspondent fully endorses. Supposing some of the readers desire to grow heaths, - are of such a nature that they must have some, - I will give a list of a few beautiful kinds, which with ordinary care, they may manage to grow - namely : Erica Caffra alba, E. Caffra rubra, E. rubida, E. Wilmoreana, E. um-bellata, E. sicula, E. arborea squarosa, E. Bowie-ana, E. mutabilis, E. cruenta superba, E. intermedia, and E. colorans.

Mount Holly, N. J.