absence of authentic specimens, whether a plant correspond- 
ing with those characters is really the one intended ; for dis- 
tinctions expressed in such brief terms may apply to several 
different species and not be peculiar to one only. For this 
reason I am in doubt whether the plant now figured is really 
the H. coriacea, although I perceive no difference between 
it and Dr. Blume’s definition of that species. It is to be 
hoped that this and all such points will be settled by M. 
Decaisne, who, fortunately for science, has undertaken the 
elaboration of the natural order Asclepiadacez for DeCan- 
dolle’s Prodromus. 
Fig. 1. represents an anther viewed from the inside; and 
fig. 2. a pair of pollen-masses adhering to their common 
gland. 
This curious species seems to be nearly parasitical in its 
habits. Messrs. Loddiges grow it in the Orchideous house, 
on the block of wood upon which it was imported,—this is 
placed in a pot, and surrounded with soil. It will grow in 
any light soil, the chief thing in its cultivation being a warm 
and moist atmosphere. 
It does not send out roots from its stem like the other 
species, and is found at present rather difficult to propagate. 
However, there is little doubt of its being multiplied with 
a little patience either by cuttings or layers. 
