JANUARY. 3 



good mellow turfy loam, fibry peat, and silver sand, in about equal 

 proportions, is an excellent composition to pot them with, using good 

 drainage and as much potsherds broken very small as will ensure poro- 

 sity. The following species of them are cultivated at Kew, and are 

 now in flower : — 



A. AURANTIACA. This is one of the best of the genus, flowering 

 abundantly as it does even on small plants, scarcely exceeding 6 inches 

 high. The leaves are 6 — 8 inches long, smooth, dark green above, 

 with the midrib and primary veins of a darkish purple beneath. The 

 flowers are produced from erect imbricated spikes, on the apices of the 

 branches, at first of a rich yellow, subsequently changing to a deep 

 orange-scarlet, and remaining a long time in perfection ; some plants of 

 it here having been in flower for two months, and to all appearance will 

 last for a month to come. 



A. PORTEANA is a robust sturdy growing species, with smooth 

 light green leaves 10 — 15 inches long, of abroad lanceolate form, taper- 

 ing to each end, with a petiole of about half an inch. This species has 

 a very conspicuous appearance, on account of its flower spike, which is 

 5 — 6 inches long, and covered with large deep orange-red bractete ; the 

 flowers are of a bright yellow, but not many are expanded at once. 



A. CRISTATA. An exceedingly beautiful flowering species, of robust 

 growth, attaining the height of six feet or more, unless kept cut back. 

 The leaves are smooth, of a light green, and are 12 — 15 inches long, 

 with a petiole of one -third. The flowers are scarlet, and are produced 

 copiously in imbricated spikes on the apices of the branches. 



A. GRANDis. A fine flowering species, much resembling in habit 

 A. cristata, and if formed into a good specimen would be a very striking 

 object. The leaves are 10 — 12 inches long, smooth, and of a dark green. 

 The flowers are 2 — 3 inches long, and produced copiously from imbri- 

 cated spikes, many of them being together on the apex of a branchlet, 

 forming a large head of flowers, which are of a scarlet colour. 



A. FULGENS. A rather interesting species, of more bushy habit 

 than the preceding kinds. The leaves are pubescent, 4 — 8 inches long, 

 oblong- ovate, of a dark green, attenuated to the base, and acute at the 

 apex. The flowers are small, of a dull red, and not attractive. Another 

 species, resembling this in habit, with smooth dark green leaves, and 

 led flowers three inches long, is cultivated here, but at present is with- 

 out name. 



A. SQUARROSA CITRINA. This is an ornamental kind, with 

 variegated foliage. The leaves are smooth, 4 — 6 inches long, of a light 

 green, the upper surface of each leaf on both sides the midrib and all the 

 primary veins being white, resembling broad white lines. The flowers 

 are from an imbricated spike, of a pale citron colour. 



Hydromestus maculata. This is an Acanthaceous shrub, closely 

 allied to Aphelandra, being similar in habit, in leaves, and likewise in 

 its inflorescence. The leaves are 6 — 8 inches long, very smooth, and 

 of a bright shining green. The flowers are of a light yellow, produced 

 from imbricated green spikes on the apices of the branches. It is at 

 present in flower at Kew. J. Houlston. 



B 2 



