1672 
* PORTULACA Gilliésii. 
Dr. Gillies’ Purslane. 
POLYANDRIA MONOGYNIA. 
Nat. ord. PORTULACER, Juss. (Introduction to the Natural System of 
Botany, p. 159). 
PORTULACA. Supra, fol. 792. 
P. Gilliesii ; caulibus suberectis basi ramosis, foliis oblongo-cylindraceis subcom- 
pressis obtusis punctatis, pilis axillaribus fasciculatis erectis appressis, flori- 
bus terminalibus, petalis calyce longioribus. Hooker in Bot. Mag. t. 3064. 
Dr. Gillies, to whom we are so much indebted for many 
illustrations of the Botany of Chili and of the neighbouring 
province of Mendoza, brought seeds of this plant. to the 
Botanic Garden of Glasgow, whence it has been liberally 
distributed. We are informed by Dr. Hooker that it is a 
native of the plains of Mendoza. This circumstance will 
point out the cultivation it requires ; for the dryness of that 
climate is so well known, that it may be easily understood that 
the only chance of managing this plant successfully, consists 
m preserving it, during winter, in a well ventilated dry 
greenhouse or stove, and allowing it water only when in a 
growing state, and then only in moderate quantity. _ 
. ltisa truly splendid plant; but to be seen in perfection 
it should be exposed to the greatest heat and the brightest 
light that our summers will supply. It then opens its rich 
crimson flowers in considerable quantity, and lying as they 
do upon a little bed of neat deep green leaves, the prettiest 
effect imaginable is produced. 
It is a perennial, and is propagated readily by cuítings. 
Our ding was made last j ay in the garden of the Horti- 
cultural Society. 
* An ancient Latin name, whose supposed origin has exercised the ingenuity 
of the learned, but concerning which we find nothing worth explaining or con- 
troverting.— Smith. 
