i 
Curr. In the second edition of the ‘ Hortus Kewensis’ it is 
Stated that the Lace-Bark tree was introduced to this garden by 
Rear-Admiral William Bligh in 1793; but it appears to have 
been soon lost, and it had been a desideratum in the garden for . 
many years.. Our present plants were received in 1844, and 
were then only four inches high. For our guidance in their 
cultivation, Mr. Wilson informed us that “it is invariably found 
growing in very dry situations on marly limestone hills, where 
there is not a particle of earth to be seen. The young plants 
grow in the crevices, or honeycomb, as it is called, and in order 
to obtain them with roots, a hammer or large stone is required 
to break away the porous limestone.” He further adds, that 
“the soil for growing it in should be composed of one-third 
marl or lime-rubbish ; for I am persuaded that pure loam will 
kill them.”” We are always most desirous to pay attention to 
information as regards the native habitats of plants; but in 
cases like the present we have found that, when too strictly 
adhered to, successful cultivation does not always follow. In 
our experience, we have never found any plant thrive by re- 
taining it in its native soil, or in soil too closely resembling it. If 
we could also imitate all the various influences of climate that 
modify and control the growth of plants in their native localities, 
it might then be proper for us to cultivate the Lace-Bark tree 
in marly soil, like limestone ; but our plants afford evidence 
that such soil is not required when they are grown in an arti- 
ficially heated atmosphere. We have used good yellow loam, 
mixed with a little leaf-mould and sand. In this they have 
attained the height of eight feet, and continue in a perfectly 
healthy state. In their native place the leaves are deciduous, 
falling off in the dry season. But the health of a general collec- 
tion of tropical plants, grown in a hothouse,*will not allow us 
to put them under the influence of their xatural dry season: we 
therefore find that some individuals change their habit,and become 
evergreens. his has been the case with the Lagetta plants ; 
and it is probably to an accidental circumstance that we owe the 
present production of flowers. One of the plants appeared 
to have received some check, which caused it to shed its leaves : 
the consequence was, that just before the unfolding of the young 
foliage, it produced its flowers. Like many of the Thymelacea, 
the Lace-Bark tree is difficult to propagate. We have never suc- 
ceeded by planting cuttings, nor by grafting it on species of allied 
genera ; but we now have hopes of propagating it by es 
Fig. 1. Flower. 2. The same laid open. 3. Section of the ovary —magni- 
Jed. 4, Pistil :—natural size. ; : 
