PLANTS INTRODUCED INTO THE VICTORIA GARDENS. 6? 



59. Panax Balfourii* (Araliace^e). — It is an elegant though 

 rather stiff' looking plant of dwarf growth, native of New Caledonia, 

 ornamental on account of its large orbicular, variegated leaves, scalloped 

 and serrated at the edge, light green, blotched and margined with 

 creamy white. It has been propagated by gooties and cuttings. The 

 plant was received in exchange from the Superintendent, State Gardens, 

 Baroda, in November 1901, and seems to do well here. 



60. Kopsia FRUTicoSAf, A. Be. — (Syn. Cerbera fruticosa), 

 (Apocynace^). — It is a large spreading evergreen shrub, native of 

 India and Malay Peninsula. The leaves are opposite, ^'xH"? elliptic, 

 narrowed into a very short petiole, shining green above, paler beneath 

 and thinly coriaceous. The flowers are handsome, salver-shaped, light 

 pink at first with a distinct red eye, turning white later on, resembling 

 very much those of Vinca rosea. It has been propagated by layers or 

 gooties. The plant was purchased from the Agri-Horticultural Society 

 of India, Calcutta, in January 1898, and seems to do well here. 



61. Nandina domestical Thb. (Berberide.e). — Sacred Bamboo of 

 China. A very handsome, compact, many stemmed, erect, evergreen shrub 

 of China and Japan, growing to a height of about 7 feet. The foliage, 

 which is very ornamental and graceful, is decompound with sheathing 

 petioles at the base, and each of the several branches consisting of 6 pairs 

 of leaves which are often trifoliate. It is very useful for decoration, and 

 makes a good substitute for ferns when the latter are not available. The 

 flowers are said to be white with yellow anthers, of no great beauty, 

 borue on upright branching spikes, and its bright scarlet berries, contrast- 

 ing with the dark shining leaves, are said to add much to the beauty of 

 the plant at fruiting time ; but the plant has not yet flowered or fruited 

 here. It can be propagated by division or by cuttings. The plant was 

 purchased from the Government Agri -Horticultural Gardens, Lucknow, 

 in January 1900, the one obtained in August 1899 from the Calcutta 

 Agri-Horticultural Society of India having been lost, and is doing well 

 here. It forms a good specimen on a lawn and is suitable for vases also. 



* The generic name is derived from an old Greek name used by Theophrastus and akia 

 to panakes, a panacea or remedy for all complaints, applied to the genus in reference to 

 the stimulant drug, GHnseog. derived from one or two species of it ; and tbe specific name 

 is after Balfour, 



f The genus is named after Jan Kops, Professor in TJtrecbt, and the specific name 

 means " sbrubby." 



J The name is derived from Nandin, the vernacular name of the fchrub in Japan, and the 

 specific name means "domestic." 



