184 EXPEEIIIENT ON HEATING EARTH. 



jflowered earlier nor more plentifully than others in the open 

 ground without heat, but made a much more luxuriant growth. 

 The same remark applies to Begonia Fuchsioides^ insignis, and 

 others of the same habit. Martlana flowered plentifully, and was 

 one of the most beautiful and successful subjects 1 had. B. Bex 

 and its allies grew strongly, but became coarse and deteriorated in 

 colour, Cinnaharina grew and flowered freely and handsomely. 

 A cross which I have at last effected between this and 

 Martiana will, I think, be perfect for this purpose. Philo- 

 dendron lyinnatmn rambled along the ground, throwing up 

 its leaves to the light through the foliage of other plants: 

 Maranta Zebrina started slowly, but made a strong growth as the 

 season advanced, with well coloured leaves. Arrow-root, ginger, 

 and Mantisia saltatoria made little or no progress during the 

 whole season, and may be considered too tender. ChamcErops 

 (Chusan Palm) made several vigorous fronds. Datura cJdoranthay 

 large growth, expanded a few perfect flowers, but was apt to drop 

 its buds; afterwards I found this was for want of water. Solanum 

 amazonicuvi flowered profusely, for some weeks, and was very 

 ornamental; it appeared, however, sensitive to any decrease of 

 temperature, checking and losing colour in the cool autumnal 

 mornings. The larger Solanums throve luxuriantly and formed 

 flower-buds, but did not expand them. A silvery-leaved kind 

 from Messrs. Carter, under the name of Cabiliense.yfOB very hand- 

 some. The large red, or purple-stemmed Palma Christi pro- 

 duced a very grand effect. This, and the taller Solanums, were 

 deprived of their laterals, as fast as they were produced. *The 

 effect of this was to run them up very tali, while the leaves 

 increased in size enormously. They were perfectly gigantic. 

 Sugar-canes took to the ground at once, growing strongly through 

 the whole season. The old canes formed six or seven new joints 

 while several fine suckers started and grew to about a man's 

 height. The same description applies to Arundo JDonax varie- 

 gata, planted along-side. This was one of the most strikingly 

 beautiful things in the collection. Ipomaa grandiflora, the 

 Great Moon-creeper of the West Indies, made large grow^th, 

 and formed buds. It failed, however, to expand them. L 

 tyrianthina (an early raised plant of the current season) grew 

 well, and produced one blossom. I was disappointed in 

 Hibiscus Manihot It remained healthy and blossomed sparingly, 

 but made no great progress. Bieffenbachia maculata, and a 



