156 



Greenlioum and Stove Plants. 



ELAPHOGLOSSUM. 



give larger pots as this becomes necessary, 

 being careful not to disturb the roots in 

 the operation of potting, as the plants are 

 impatient of injury in this way. 



D. rajirnsis. A pretty kind, with longish 

 leaves. It comes from the Cape of Good 

 Hope. 



1). dichotoma ruhra. A handsome kind, 

 with deeply-forked leaves, from the siui'ace 

 of which spring a quantity of red hairs. 



D. filiformis. A medium-sized species, 

 with pretty erect leaves, fully furnished 

 with the red hair-like glands. Introduced 

 from North America. 



D. spathulata. This a closer-growing 

 plant than the preceding, with a distinct 

 habit. A desirable kind ; from Tasmania. 



DRYNARIA. 



A handsome genus of stove Ferns, dis- 

 tinct in appearance. The singular massive 

 fronds which many of the kinds produce, 

 offer a marked contiast to those of the 

 more elegant species. 



For propagation and cultivation, see 

 Ferns, general details of cultuie. 



D. coronans. East Indies. 



D. muscefolia. Malay Islands. 



D. quercifolia. East Indies. 



DYCKIA ARGENTEA. 



A curious-looking, low-gro^wdng stove 

 jjlant, with long, naiiow leaves that lay as 

 Hat as those of Tillandsia argentea ; the 

 leaves are coated over with a similar 

 greyish-white covering. Its principal at- 

 traction consists in the singular way in 

 which the leaves are disposed. It belongs 

 to the Bromelaceous order, and requires 

 similar treatment to Billbergias, which 

 see. Introduced from Central America. 



ECHEVERIA. 



Evergreen succulents, several kinds of 

 which have been much used for planting 

 ovit-of-doors in sunnner since carpet bed- 

 ding came into fashion. Beyond their 

 adaptability for this purpose, there are 

 some that deserve a place amongst the 

 occupants of the greenhouse. 



They are easily increased by cuttings 

 made of the crowns, or off-sets which most 

 of the sorts produce annually ; these 

 should be taken off in spring, allowed to 

 lie on the potting bench for a few days so 

 that their succulent flesliy stems have time 

 to dry up a little, and should then be put 

 singly in small pots filled with a mixtare 

 of half sand and loam in a slightly moist 

 condition. Stand them in a temperature 



of 55° or 60°, but not in the usual way 

 under a projaagating glass, as if confined 

 they will most likely rot. They will soon 

 strike ; when the little pots are full of 

 roots move into others a size or two laiger, 

 and give them a liglit position in a green- 

 house or pit fully exj^osed to the sun, in 

 which they delight. Some of tlie kinds, 

 such as E. metallica, which is a strong 

 grower, may require more room before the 

 end of summer, in which case it should be 

 given, but none of the sorts like over- 

 potting. They require plenty of air, and 

 should have a dry atmosphere. Their 

 flowers are very enduring and are distinct 

 in appearance. They will also stiike freely 

 from cuttings made of the stems. Cut 

 them in lengths with three or four eyes 

 each, and treat as advised with the suckers. 



The following are desirable kinds : — 



E. agavoides. Flowers scarlet. 



E. atropurpurea. A pretty distinct-look- 

 ing species. 



E. metallica. A handsome species, worth 

 growing for the distinct metallic colour of 

 its leaves. 



E. metallica cjlauca. A glaucous-leaved 

 form of the last named. 



E. ■pulveruhnta. A handsome species ; 

 the flowers a combination of red, white, 

 and green. Mexico. 



E. retusa. A compact-growing kind, 

 with pretty red and yellow flowers ; blooms 

 in summei' and autumn. Mexico. 



E. retusa glauca. A distinct form of E. 

 retusa. 



E. secunda. A pretty plant with scarlet 

 flowers. Mexico. 



Insects. — Few insects molest Echeverlas 

 exce^jt aphides, which sometimes attack the 

 flower-buds ; the remedy is fumigation. 



ELJEIS GUINEENSIS. 



A st(jve Palm, not equal in appearance 

 to many others, but interesting from its 

 being the plant fiom which the Palm oil 

 of commerce is obtained. From Africa. 



The method of propagation and after 

 management will be found under Palms, 

 general details of culture. 



ELAPHOGLOSSUM. 



This genus of stove Ferns, which is 

 nearly allied to Acrostichum, contains 

 several species that are sufficiently distinct 

 in appearance to make them worth includ- 

 ing in even a select collection. 



For propagation and cultivation, see 

 Ferns, general details of culture. 



The undermentioned are well-marked 

 kinds : — 



