Menzies’ original specimens the leaves are almost acicular, and 
from the smallness of the upper leaves or bracteas, the flowers 
are truly spicate. It makes an excellent plant for bedding 
out, and our gardens are indebted to the Horticultural Society 
for its introduction, through their collector Mr. Hartweg. 
Descr. A low half-shrubby plant, varying extremely in downi- 
ness upon the young branches and foliage. Leaves also extremely 
variable in size and shape, and in the margin, generally in 
native specimens linear or linear-lanceolate, but broader and 
quite ovate in our var. y: all of them alternate, remote or 
crowded: the upper ones in our plant scarcely diminishing in 
size ; in other individuals, becoming small bracteas, one beneath 
each flower. Yowers axillary, sessile, solitary. Calyx very 
long, red, the lower portion united with the slender linear ovary ; 
above the ovary the calyx-tube is funnel-shaped, striated, very 
narrow below the middle, at the base swollen and articulated 
(and eventually deciduous) upon the ovary: Zimé of four lanceo- 
late segments. Within the mouth of the calyx are eight roundish 
scales, four erect and four deflexed. Petals four, deep red, ob- 
cordate, bifid, shorter than the segments of the calyx. Stamens 
eight : filaments much exserted: anthers linear, fixed by the 
middle of the back. Style longer than the stamens, filiform : 
stigma peltate, four-lobed. Fruit four-valved, as in Hpilobium, 
imperfectly four-celled. Seeds numerous, comose. W. J. H. 
Cunt. This is a perennial plant, becoming somewhat suffru- 
ticose towards autumn. It is closely allied to Zpilodium, and, 
like most species of that genus, increases rapidly by its numerous 
surculose roots (underground shoots). It is of easy cultivation, 
growing freely on dry, good garden-soil. Its showy flowers are 
produced abundantly during the latter part of the summer; and, 
as it continues a long time in flower, it is worthy of being grown 
in a pot, as an ornamental plant for the conservatory. It is 
also deserving of a place in the flower-garden, as a bedding 
plant, especially where variety is wanted ; for although its thin 
and spare habit is rather against it, yet, by planting thick and 
stopping back the shoots early in the season, the bed may be 
made to assume a very fair degree of compactness before the 
end of the summer. From the appearance of its roots at the 
time we write, we infer that it will prove a hardy perennial ; but 
in exposed situations it may be advisable to cover it over with 
leaves or some such covering. It is increased readily by divi- 
sion of the roots, also by cuttings and seeds. J. 8. 
Fig.1. Capsule. 2. Section of the calyx-tube. 3. Pistil:—more or less 
magnified. 
