31 AY. 145 



pit this winter ; and a well bloomed specimen plant of Acrophyllum 

 venosum, to the culture of which intending exhibitors should turn their 

 attention. Our next object was to reach 



Mr. James Veitch's, Exotic Nursery, Chelsea. 

 This nursery was established by j\Ir. Knight, of the late firm of " Knight 

 and Perry," under whose management it obtained a great amount of 

 celebrity, and, on the retirement of those gentlemen, it passed into the 

 hands of I\Ir. James Veitch, jun., of Exeter. New and rare plants are 

 much cultivated here. In one house was a large specimen of the 

 extraordinary Lihum giganteum, in appearance so much unlike a 

 Lily, the flowers of which are white, with a pale pink stripe in each 

 division of the flower ; blooming plants of the charming Rhododendron 

 jasminiflorum, with pure white fragrant flowers ; in form very much 

 resembling Stephanotis floribunda. Philesia buxifolia, which was 

 figured and described in the Florist for ]\Iarch, 1854; and Acacia 

 Drummondi, a very distinct and beautiful free-blooming species, of dwarf 

 habit. In one of the stoves was Begonia Prestoniensis (figured in the 

 Florist for June, 1853), producing freely its deep orange flowers. 

 Franciscea calycina (sy. F. confertiflora), a very fine species, with large 

 rich lavender-purple blossoms ; a large specimen of Medinilla magnifica, 

 loaded vdi\\ clusters of purple buds, and a fine specimen of Cissus 

 discolor, with its handsome variegated velvety foliage. Gesnera Donkelaari 

 is just about to flower here, and a pretty very dwarf growing and 

 distinct Begonia umbellicus was producing its bright pink flowers. 

 Impatiens Jerdoniae was grooving vigorously here. This is one of the 

 many interesting plants sent out by ^lessrs. Veitch, and was figured in 

 the Florist for January, 1854. The climbing Hexacentris m^^sorensis 

 was gromng vigorously, both in stove and greenhouse, and seems adapted 

 to either temperature. Coleus Blumei (sy. Plectranthus concolor picta), 

 a variegated plant for stove and greenhouse decoration, each leaf having 

 a large chocolate -coloured blotch surrounded with light green, was 

 producing spikes of pale lavender flowers. In various places we saw 

 respectively Eugenia Ugni (or IMyrtus Ugni), a new evergreen hardy 

 shrub of close, stift habit, with small Box-like foliage, and said to have a 

 strong perfume like Lily of the Valley ; Azalea Chelsoni, a very 

 handsome well-formed bright orange-scarlet flower ; Berberis nepalensis, 

 about five feet high, with its striking foliage ; and Torreya Humboldti, 

 which appears to be closely allied to the Taxodiums, and has a pendulous 

 graceful habit. Both of these last-named ]ilants, however, are not quite 

 hardy. The aquarium here is an object of great interest. Palms, Ferns, 

 and water plants abound. In the centre of the immense tank is a young 

 plant of the Victoria Regina, surrounded with Nymphteas and other 

 suitable attendants. In the same house is a rich collection of Pitcher- 

 plants, for which this establishment is celebrated. In the Orchid house 

 we noticed in flower Vanda suavis, Saccolabium miniatum, Chysis 

 bractescens, Dendrobium aggregatum, Dendrobium albo-sanguineum, 

 and D. chrysotoxum. INI any of the rarest Coniferous plants are grown 

 here, amongst them being Saxe- Goth tea conspicua, Fitz-Royapatagonica, 

 Libocedrus chilensis, and Cepholotaxus Fortuni, all in gi-eat plenty, and 



NEW SERIES, VOL. IV. NO. XLI. L 



