198 RELATION BETWEEN CLIMATE AND VEGETATION. 



ing a handsome shrub about 12 feet high, which, when covered 

 with its large white blossoms, has a striking appearance. 



Before quitting the subject of Rio de Janeiro, I shall briefly 

 notice one or two plants which still remain to be introduced to 

 this country, but which would be highly ornamental to our hot- 

 houses. 



1. Stiftia chrysantha, Mik. — This is one of the most beautiful 

 shrubs indigenous to Brazil. It is not uncommon by the aque- 

 duct, about halfway up the Corcovado ; but from experiments 

 which have been made by Mr. Riedel, it seldom succeeds when 

 transplanted, nor does it often perfect seeds. It is a shrub from 

 8 to 14 feet high, elegant in habit, and with dark-green leaves, 

 not unlike those of the Orange. It belongs to the Composite 

 Order, and to the Mutisiaceous division of it. The flowers 

 are very large, and of a beautiful orange colour, which, when 

 seen from a distance, gives the plant all the appearance of 

 an Orange-tree loaded with fruit. It seems to prefer a dry ar- 

 gillaceo-ferrugineous soil. 



2. Mettertiichia Principis, Mik. — This is also a shrub, but 

 smaller than the preceding, and grows in similar situations. It 

 produces an abundance of pure white flowers about two inches 

 long, not unlike those of a Datura. 



3. Simaba glandulifera, Gardn. — A shrub with a simple stem 

 from 6 to 10 feet high, and a cluster of spreading pinnated leaves 

 from 2 to 3 feet long at the top, which gives it somewhat the 

 appearance of a Palm. Out of the centre of these proceeds an 

 immense panicle, sometimes 3 feet long, of yellow, highly odori- 

 ferous flowers. 



4. Afiiphirox longifolia, Spreng. — This is one of the many 

 violaceous shrubby plants which exist in Brazil. It is rather 

 rare in the woods of the Corcovado, grows to the height of 8 to 

 12 feet, and produces large panicles of pure white, violet-shaped, 

 sweet-smelling flowers. 



5. Diclidanthera laurifolia, Mart. — A large climbing shrub 

 which diffuses its branches among those of the trees near which 

 it grows. It belongs to the Order of Sapotads, produces 

 abundance of small yellowish-coloured flowers, and a black eat- 

 able fruit, of the size of a cherry. 



6. Myrrhinium atropurpureum, Schott. — A myrtaceous shrub, 

 from 4 to 6 feet high, not uncommon on the sandy shores of Rio. 

 Its flowers, which are of a dark purple colour, are produced from 

 the older branches, and are remarkable, in the Order to which 

 they belong, for their long exserted and definite stamens. 



