MAURANDIA SEMPERFLORKNS. 243 



time to fix its roots before the time of its removal into the 

 open air. In winter it will not require water oftener than 

 once in five days or a week ; and then, unless in very mild 

 weather, at the roots only. In dry summer weather it may 

 be watered every evening, or second evening, according to 

 its situation and the heat of the sun. 



MESEMBRYANTHEMUM. 



FICOIDEjE. icosaxdria pentagynia. 



The name of this genus is derived from three Greek words, and sig- 

 nifies a flower with the embryo in the middle : it was originally named 

 Mesembrianthemum, or Noon-flower, because most of the species close 

 in the absence of the sun, and disclose themselves in broad sunshine. 

 The familiar name is Fig-marygold. — French, ficoi'de ; fleur du midi 

 [noon-flower]. — Italian, ficoide. 



This genus is very large: it will be necessary only to 

 select a few of the more desirable or general kinds. 



One of the most popular kinds of the Mesembryanthe- 

 mums is the M. Crystallinum, Ice-plant, or Diamond-fig 

 Marygold, of which the leaves, stems, and buds are ap- 

 parently covered with ice. — French, la glaciale: Italian, 

 erha crystallina. — It comes from the neighbourhood of 

 Athens. This plant must be raised in a hot-bed; but, if 

 not intended for seeding, may be placed abroad in May, 

 and will preserve its beauty till late in the autumn. It is 

 chiefly for the ice-like surface that it is admired : the 

 flowers are trivial. It must be very cautiously watered, 

 and only often enough to preserve the earth from becoming 

 an absolute dust. 



The M. Frequentiflora is, as its specific name implies, 

 a frequent flowerer, but it must not be kept too warm, or 

 it will not satisfy this expectation ; it must merely be shel- 

 tered from frost and wintry winds. 



R 2 



