51 REPORT OF THE FLORAL COMMITTEE, 



branches. It is a most valuaWe addition to our garden 



Lygodium polystachyum .— from Messrs. Veitch & Son. 

 Awarded a Fibst Class Certificate op Mkrit. It is a very 

 ornamental and distinct habited fern, introduced from Central 

 India, but a native also of Peuang. It produces branches in 

 pairs at short distances along its slender stipes and rachis, and 

 these branches are ovate in outline,- with a smaller lateral branch 

 often proceeding from their base, bipinnatifid, with oblong-obtuse 

 segments, giving it an appearance quite unlike that of other 

 species of the genus. The fructification is concealed by imbri- 

 cating bracts produced on the under surface of the segments, and 

 does not usually form spikelets projecting from the margins of 

 the segments of the branches, as in most other kinds. 



Chamaebatia foliolosa :— from Messrs. Veitch & Son. A dwarf 

 shrub, reputed hardy and evergreen. Being yet of small size, 

 it was thought desirable that, before deciding on its merits, plants 

 from the open air should be submitted for examination at the 

 meetings to be held in February or March, when its qualities 

 would be more developed. The foliage is exceedingly elegant, 

 ovate in circumscription, tripinnatisect, and having a strong 

 resinous Cistus-like odour when rubbed ; the numerous crowded 

 segments are small, oblong-obtuse, entire. The plant is described 

 as growing a foot high, erect, branched in the upper part. The 

 white flowers, of the size of those of Rubm saxatilis, are borne 

 in cymes at the ends of the branches. Mr. Veitch states that at 

 Exeter this plant had proved quite hardy and evergreen, the 

 seed having been sown last year in open nursery beds. Mr. 

 Bentham remarks of it :— " Planta foliis et odore inter Rosaceas 



"CaUa,sp." Natal: — from Messrs. Veitch & Son. This 

 was apparently a small growing species of Calla, having the habit, 

 foliage, and general appearance of C. (sthiopica. The flower- 

 expanded, pale yellow 



its merits was deferred until it should have beer 



again produced 



in a more established condition. The flowers wei 

 developed for botanical examination. 



Spraguea umbellata :— from Messrs. Veitch & Son. A new 

 hardy annual, belonging to the order of Purslanes, introduced 

 from California. It has been described and figured by Dr. Torrey 



