1870.] OUVIRANDRA FENESTRALIS. 359 



scarce kinds may also be seen to early. Pansies and Violets may be 

 propagated behind a wall ; handlights placed over theni for a time will 

 help them much. Chrysanthemums will now require attention with 

 manure-water, especially those with their roots confined in pots. Car- 

 nations and Picotees to be layered should be finished at once. Pinks 

 which are rooted may be planted out. Dahlias and Hollyhocks on 

 poor ground require plenty of manure-water. All soft-wood plants in 

 frames require frequent attention to keep them free from insects ; keep 

 the drainage clear, the surfaces clean, and if nights become cold give 

 water in the morning. M. T. 



OUVIRANDRA FENESTRALIS, 



THE LATTICE PLANT OF MADAGASCAPw 



Amongst the many stove-plants cultivated for the beauty, elegance, or 

 curious appearance of their foliage, there are many much more stately, 

 but scarcely one more interesting, than the singular little aquatic plant 

 that heads this paper. Years ago, some gentleman travelling in Mada- 

 gascar discovered the Ouvirandra; but not being able to send home 

 living specimens of it, he forwarded some dried ones, and these, for 

 the curious and novel formation of their leaves, were highly prized at 

 the time, and carefully preserved. About sixteen years ago, the Rev. 

 William Ellis, so long associated with missionary enterprises in Mada- 

 gascar, introduced some plants, and forwarded them to Kew, the first 

 living examples of it ever introduced to England. 



Since its introduction to this country it has never attained the 

 popularity it unquestionably deserves : why, is not easily determined. 

 One writer has described it as difficult to grow ; another asserts the 

 opposite, and says it is as easily grown as any other stove-plant. One 

 cultivator has asserted that it has fallen into bad repute through being 

 grown in too deep water ; while, singularly enough, another contends 

 that the cause of failure is through growing it in too shallow vessels. 

 I think all these are wrong to some extent, and I hold the opinion that 

 neglect has done more than anything else to narrow the scope of its 

 cultivation. There are some cultivators who make a pet of a new plant 

 for a time, but when something else turns up, or work presses on their 

 hands, their enthusiasm cools, and plants are left to take care of them- 

 selves, and frequently to perish. It has been so with the Ouvirandra ; 

 and as it was growing in its natural element, water, they thought it 

 would take no harm if left to itself for a week or two. The same 

 neglect would have killed other stove-plants than this under notice. 

 This is how it has been treated ; and not having had even the ordinary 



