250 THE FLORIST. 



haemantha. In the class of New Garden Hybrids, Messrs. Rollisson 

 showed Gloxinias, the best of which were Maria Paulovnia, and erecta 

 grandis ; also Achimenes Dr. Hoff, a variety very much like the conti- 

 nental kind named Ambrose Verschaffelt. Messrs. Henderson, Mr. 

 Glendinning, and Mr. Woolley, also exhibited Gloxinias, the best of 

 wliich were alba auriculata, white ringed with crimson ; and erecta 

 am'icula, violet. Messrs. Veitch again showed their Princess Pioyal 

 Rhododendron. I\Ir. Ingram sent a hybrid Achimenes in the way of 

 pedunculata, but far more brilliant, and extremely handsome. Mr. 

 Bragg, of Slough, contributed some very pretty varieties of Sweet 

 Williams in pots, and cut flowers of the same came from Mr. Hunt, of 

 High Wycomb. 



AQUATIC PLANTS. 



The Gardens of the Royal Literary Institution, Bath, are becoming 

 very attractive, and many new subscribers have secured to the com- 

 mittee the needful funds for keeping these beautiful grounds in perfect 

 repair. Strangers linger in Orange Grove and admire the prospect 

 towards Sham Castle, a landscape so rich in verdure and choice archi- 

 tecture as but few cities in Europe can display. Mr. Charles Empson 

 has for many years past advocated the erection of an Aquarium in 

 these gardens — through which the tepid water from the hot springs 

 finds its way from the Baths to the Avon. The most eminent profes- 

 sional men have been consulted, and it is estimated that for a very small 

 sum an Aquarium for tropical rarities might be constructed, which 

 would be superior to that recently added to the Royal Gardens at Kew. 

 The experiment has been tried, with complete success, in a portion of 

 the large tank in York- street, Nymphseas, Valisneria spiralis, and 

 many other interesting aquatics having flourished and bloomed with 

 vigour that surprised cultivators ; many of the rare exotic species 

 produced flowers in abundance, much larger than had hitherto been seen, 

 except in their native climates. The proven fact of the water of our 

 mineral springs being congenial to the growth of these flowers, which are 

 so rarely to be seen, prevents all doubts as to the success of such a novel 

 feature to the attraction of our beautiful city. The great cost of keeping 

 up an equal degree of heat by artificial means, so essential — indeed, 

 imperative — for the health of these the more lovely of all exotics, renders 

 the exhibition of them very rare. By taking advantage of what is 

 provided to us by nature, all cost for heating and attendance would be 

 avoided, and we repeat advisedly, that in no part of England would 

 there be an Aquarium equal to that which might grace the locality so 

 wonderfully adapted for the purpose. 



[Our esteemed friend Mr. Empson deserves every encouragement in 

 this novel scheme for growing exotic aquatics in the waste water from 

 the Bath hot springs. The garden itself in which he proposes the tanks 

 to be made is very suitable for the purpose, and, being nearly in the 

 heart of the city, would prove both an attractive and interesting feature. 

 As we have proof that even the far-famed Victoria regia will thrive in 



