1900 SUPPLEMENT—RECENT INTRODUCTIONS, &C. 529 
Megaclinium—continued. 
nearly a dozen sheaths near the base. J. linear-oblong, 
obtuse, Sin. to Sin. long. Pseudo-bulbs obtusely three-angled, 
lsin. to 2in. long, two-leaved. Tropical Africa (?), 1894. 
M,. Sandersoni has also been introduced, but is not in general 
cultivation. 
PEGALOTEECA: A synonym of Restio (which 
see). 
MEGARRHIZA CALIFORNICA. Cogniaux and 
Bentham and Hooker refer this to PLchinocystis fabacea ; 
but Sereno Watson separates it therefrom. 
MEGASEA. Included under Saxifraga (which see). 
MEISTERIA. Ineluded under Enkianthus (which 
see). 
MELALEUCA. W. wneriifolia and M. salicifolia are 
synonyms of Tristania neriifolia (which see). 
MELAMPODIUM (said by Theophrastus to have 
been named after Melampus, who first used the plant). 
Orv. Composite. A genus embracing about eighteen 
species of stove, greenhouse, or hardy, annual or perennial 
herbs, rarely under-shrubs, mostly found in the warmer 
parts of America. Flower-heads yellow, terminal in the 
upper axils, usually rather small, heterogamous, radiate. 
Leaves opposite, entire or toothed. M. paludosum (Syns- 
M. divaricatum, M. ovatifolium) and M. perfoliatum have 
wees introduced, but they are not of much horticultural 
value. 
MELAMPSORA SALICINA. Sce Salix—Fungi. 
MELANCHRYSUM. A synonym of Gazania 
(which see). : 
MELANDRYUM. This genus is kept up by Mr. 
F. N. Williams, in his monograph of Silene, &c., in the 
“Journal of the Linnean Society,” vol. xxxii. See 
Silene. 
MELANOCARPUM SPRUCEI. A synonym of 
Pleuropetalum costaricense (which see). 
MELANORRHGA. W. wsiiata is the correct name 
of the plant described as M. usitatissima. 
MELANOSELINUM. 
(which see). 
= Sareea A synonym of Breynia (which 
see). 
MELANTHIUM. Some of the species formerly 
incladed in this genus are now referred to Andro- 
cymbium, Beometra, Dipidax, Helonias, White- 
headia, Wurmbea, and Zygadenus. 
| = A synonym of Wyethia (which 
see). 
MELASPINZA. A synonym of Hgiceras (which 
see). 
MELASTOMA. Several species formerly included 
hereunder are now referred to Amphiblemma and 
Pleroma (Tibouchina). 
M. candidum (white). jf. pink, three to seven in a short 
cyme; calyx canescent; petals lin. to ljin. long; bracts 
densely pilose. Summer. J. ovate, acute, 2in. to 6in. long, 
densely bristly above, villous beneath; petioles in. to Jin. 
long. Branches hoary, obtusely tetragonal; young ones 
and petioles densely strigose-scaly, h. 44ft. South China. 
M. malabathricum (of B. R. 672) is probably the same as this. 
M. decemfidum (ten-cleft). The correct name of M. sanguinewm. 
Syn. M. malabathricum, Sims (B. M. 529). 
Included under Thapsia 
M.1aalabathricum. Sve a/so M. candidum and M. decem- 
fidum. 
M. villosum (villous). The correct name of Pleroma villosum. 
MELHANIA. To the species described on p. 345, 
Vol. II., the following shonld be added: 
M. erythroxylon. Tvochetia erythroxylon is synonymous with 
this species. 
M. Melanoxylon (dark-wooded). #1. white, Malva-like, lin. 
across, with a crimson blotch at the base of the column formed 
by the purple stamens and green stigma. /. ovate, acuminate, 
slightly toothed, 2in, long, dark green above, covered beneath 
with soft, silky, white hairs. h. 20ft. St. Helena. A shrubby, 
stove tree. (G. C. 1890, vii, pp. 512-3, f. 81.) 
‘MELIA. ‘To the information given on pp. 845-6, 
Vol. II., the following should be added - 
Vol. V. 
Melia—continued. 
M. Azedarach umbraculiformis (umbrella-formed). Texas 
Umbrella Tree. The habit of this curious variety is indicated 
in itsname. 1894. (G. & F. 1894, vii., p. 92, f. 20.) 
M. floribunda (abundant-flowered), A garden synonym or 
variety of M. Azedarach. 
M. sempervirens is identical with M. Azedarach. 
MELICA (an old name, from meli, honey). Melie 
Grass. ORD. Graminee. A genus embracing about 
thirty species of mostly hardy, erect, perennial Grasses, 
broadly distributed. Spikelets one-, two-, or rarely 
several-flowered, narrowly or loosely paniculate ; glumes 
two, usually large. Leaves soft, flat or convolute. The 
species here described thrive under ordinary treatment, 
and may be increased by seeds or by division of the tufts, 
The species named are all excellent for bouquets. 
M. altissima (very tall).* jf. spikelets pedicellate; panicle 
elongated, coarctate, unilateral, interrupted, the branches 
appressed. June and July. /. lanceolate-linear; upper ones 
much the smaller. Culms strong, erect. h. 34ft. Siberia, &c. 
A hardy, tufted species. Syn. M. sibirica. There is a good 
variety of this known as atropurpuwrea. 
M. ciliata (ciliated). _71., spikelets erect; outer petal ciliated ; 
panicle somewhat spicate. May to July. /. stiff, glaucous. 
h. 1ft. to 14ft. Europe, &c. Hardy. There is a variety of 
this, penicillaris. ' 
M. macra (large).* /., spikelets disposed in a spike-like, 
unilateral raceme; glumes very sharp. Summer. /. spreading, 
lanceolate, greyish-green, sharp. A. 14ft. Montevideo. A 
half-hardy, tufted species. 4 
M. papilionacea (butterfly-like).* #., spikelets purple, 
disposed in narrow, slender panicles, which are branched from 
the base. Summer. J. fine, tufted. A. lft. Argentina and 
3razil, 1890. An ornamental, half-hardy species. 
M. sibirica (Siberian). A synonym of M. altissiina. 
MELIDORA (in part). Synonymous with Enkian- 
thus (which see). 
MELINOSPERMUM. 
(which see). 
MELINUM. A syncnym of Zizania (which see). 
MELLOCA. A synonym of Ullucus (which see). 
MELOCACTUS. Melocactuses like a _ tropical 
temperature all the year round, with as much sun- 
light as possible, and a moist atmosphere for about 
three months during summer, when growth is most 
active. Very little soil is required, as the largest stems 
have comparatively few roots; indeed, imported stems 
have been known to live, and even make growth, nearly 
two years without pushing a single root; but of course 
this was abnormal, and was no other than the using- 
up of the nourishment stored in the stem before 
it was removed from its native home. Large im- 
ported plants are very rarely established; and even 
when established, they do not thrive long, owing to the 
fact that, after the cap has commenced to form, no further 
stem-growth is made. Young plants grow very slowly, 
a plant 3ft. across taking, according to Sir W. Hooker, 
from 200 to 300 years to reach that size. It has been 
stated that grafting is a good plan to adopt for the 
Melocactus, Mr. F. T. Palmer, in ‘‘ Culture des Cactées,”’ 
recommending the following treatment for M. communis : 
Take a Cereus peruvianus of about the same diameter 
as that of the base of the Melocactus, cut off the head 
of the former, but not so low as to come upon the hard, 
ligneous axis, and then pare off the hard epidermis and 
ribs for about lin. Next take off a slice from the base 
of the Melocactus, also paring off about lin. of the 
epidermis all round; place the two together, and bind 
on firmly with strong worsted. In warm weather, a 
union should take place in about two months, but it 
will be safest to allow the ligature to remain till growth 
commences. The precaution of paring off the hard skin 
and ribs is absolutely necessary, as the juicy centre 
contracts, and the rind, or epidermis, does not. There 
would, therefore, be a cavity formed sufficient to prevent 
all cohesion, be the graft tied on eyer so tightly. 
Large imported stems should be kept perfectly dry 
for about a fortnight, and if they show any signs of 
rottenness, the bad portions should be cut away; 
exposure to the air for a few days will generally cause 
these pared places to callus over. At all times, even 
when the stems appear to be in good health, a look-out 
should be kept for decayed patches, especially about the 
base. 
A synonym of Dichilus 
3Y 
