[222] Voyage en Grèce, tom. i. ch. 14. p. 295. [223] “Bulbus ovatus, tunicatus, _crassitie ferè capitis humani_.” Desfontaines’ Flora Atlantica, tom. i. p. 297. [224] An. of Bot. vol. i. p. 101. From the account of Pancratium by Sir James Edward Smith (_in Rees’s Cyclop._), we learn that two species grow in Greece, viz. P. Maritimum and Illyricum. The remarks now offered appear to prove, that there certainly may have been a bulb, such as Theophrastus describes, though we have not sufficient information to decide its genus and species. It may have been the Scilla Maritima. It is to be observed, that he refers also to an Indian bulb, having similar properties. Perhaps he alluded to some plant of a kind similar to Agave Vivipara, the leaves of which are extensively used in India for making cordage[225]. [225] Dr. F. Buchanan’s Journey in Mysore, &c. i. p. 36. We cannot better conclude this part of the subject, than by giving the following interesting communication of Dr. Daniel Stebbins, of Northampton, Mass., to the Hon. H. L. Ellsworth, a gentleman who has, in our opinion, rendered most valuable services, not only to the people of the United States, but to the world at large, since his appointment to the office of Commissioner of Patents. _Northampton, Hampshire County, Mass._ “Dear Sir: The favorable notice of silk culture in document No. 109, from the Patent Office report of February, 1843, is my apology for presenting the enclosed samples of _paper_, made of mulberry foliage and bark. Unfortunately, the _external cuticle_ of the bark had not been removed; producing the spots, but does not injure the paper for the use intended, which was for the purpose of depositing silk-worms’ eggs upon something dark; and this being _unbleached_, is considered adapted to the habits of the silk-worm, and is now in successful experiment. “The four samples are all of one batch; the darkest, having more of the outside cuticle, was most buoyant, rose to the top and came off first. “A quantity of genuine Canton foliage, which retains its verdure in greater perfection and later than any other mulberry, is gathered, dried, and sent to the mill for making paper, bleached, without spots, fit for cotton paper, as hoped; and, if successful, I shall take pleasure in sending you a sample, to be preserved with the enclosed.