1890-91.] On Vegetable Ivory. 459 



culture and general management, little more need be said 

 than tliat, along with a moderate allowance of peaty soil, they 

 should have a greater amount of root-moisture than most 

 other peat-soil plants. They luxuriate in a marshy, swampy 

 situation, in which rhododendrons and azaleas could not 

 exist for any length of time. It is therefore important to 

 keep this peculiarity in view when it is intended to plant 

 them in beds or clumps by themselves — an arrangement 

 which, though not very generally adopted, is nevertheless 

 very effective, from the great diversity in foliage, height, and 

 general appearance of the plants. This preference for a 

 damp situation need not, however, deter any one from as- 

 sociating them in mixed borders with the other peat-soil 

 shrubs. They adapt themselves to such circumstances with 

 the greatest facility, though their vigour will be promoted, 

 and they will flower much more freely, if supplied with water 

 when the situation is naturally dry, especially during the 

 growing season. 



All the species being interesting, and well worthy of cul- 

 tivation, especially to those who are lovers of hardy shrubs, 

 it is somewhat difficult to make a selection of what are 

 usually termed the most desirable varieties. I would there- 

 fore recommend those wlio intend planting, and who have the 

 necessary accommodation, to grow as many different sorts as 

 they can procure, fully assured that no more ornamental and 

 pleasing hardy flowering-shrub can be introduced into a 

 garden or pleasure-ground than the Andromeda, under what- 

 ever specific name it may be known. 



X — ON VEGETABLE IVORY. 



By Mr THOMAS WRIGHT. 



{Read March 25, 1891.) 



Vegetable Ivory is obtained from the fruit of a palm-like 

 tree, Pliytelephas macrocarpa, a native of the north-eastern 



