subsequently observed the species in flower among a col- 
lection of parasitical plants from Rio Janeiro, presented to 
the Horticultural Society by Henry Chamberlayne, Esq. 
In their native country the seeds of these plants take 
root upon the branches of trees, or upon stones covered 
with decomposed vegetable matter, but always in situations 
where the atmosphere is highly charged with humidity, 
and where the temperature varies from 70° to 90° of Fah- 
renheit. Such, therefore, are the conditions to which 
Epiphytes must be submitted if we would hope to cultivate 
them successfully in these latitudes. The modes of creating 
an artificial climate of this description will so readily 
suggest themselves to the cultivator, that detailed directions 
for the purpose are quite unnecessary. 
It would be difficult to point out a family of plants more 
interesting from their beauty or singularity than that of 
Bromeliaceæ, and of which, notwithstanding, the systematic 
arrangement has been less carefully studied. We long ago 
suggested the necessity of restoring the abolished genus 
Ananassa, for the eatable Pine-Apples, and of restricting 
the idea of Bromelia to the species of which Bromelia Pin- 
guin may be considered the representative. We now 
venture to propose the adoption of the genus Billbergia of 
Thunberg for such of the species still included in Bromelia 
as agree with Ananassa in the presence of nectariferous 
glands at the base of the petals, and as therefore differ 
from B. Pinguin and its kindred in that character, and 
also in their linear convolute stigmas. At the same time, 
a synopsis of what we consider the essential characters of 
the genuine genera of the order may not be unacceptable. ' 
I. ANANASSA; (Ananas Plum.)—Spica concreta, carnosa, Calyx supe- 
tus. Petala 3, basi squamosa. Stamina basi perianthii inserta. Stylus 
filiformis. Stigmata 3, recta, carnosa. Bacca. Semina nuda, subrotunda. 
Ananassa, 1. sativa Nob. 2. lucida Nob. (King-Pine.) 3. debilis Nob. 
(the Waved-leaved Pine.) 4. bracteata Nob. (Scarlet-leaved Bra- 
zilian Pine.) 
II. BromeLıa.—Calyx superus. 
basi perianthii inserta. Stylus nanus. 
Semina nuda (subrotunda ?) 
B. Pinguin Jacq.—fastuosa Lindl.—sylvestris Swtz. and many others; 
probably also B. exudans of the Botanical Cabinet, tab. 801. 
Petala convoluta, basi nuda. Stamina 
Stigmata carnosa, abbreviata. Bacca. 
