218 TRAXSACTIONS AND PEOCEEDINGS OF THE [Sess. lviii. 



III. Ox Plants ix the Plant Houses. By Pi. L. 

 Harrow. 



The past month, which is perhaps one of the most 

 interesting periods of the whole year to those engaged 

 in the study of plant life in its various stages, has been 

 very favourable to the good development of both flowers 

 and foliage. The great majority of plants cultivated under 

 glass, which have been inactive during the winter, and 

 have been partially or wholly destitute of foliage, are 

 now vigorously started into growth. A much greater 

 display of flowers has been produced, the number of species 

 recorded being about seventy-five. A few of these we are 

 able to exhibit, viz. : — 



Browiua gra'tidiceps, Jacq. This is a leguminous shrub, 

 which is a native of South America, where it is 

 said to attain a height of CO feet. The inflorescences, 

 which are produced in large globular heads at the 

 extremity of branches, and also upon the old wood, 

 resemble, when fully expanded, the flowers of a Pihodo- 

 dendron. The light red flowers at the base of the 

 inflorescence are the first to open, the remainder opening 

 successively in tiers until the apex is reached, and a fully 

 expanded flower head is seen. The foliage, which is at all 

 times handsome, has, in a young state, a peculiar drooping 

 appearance, gradually with age assuming a more erect 

 appearance. The leaves possess from nine to twelve pairs 

 of leaflets. The figure in the "Botanical Magazine" was 

 prepared from a specimen received from the Glasnevin, 

 Botanic Garden, Dublin. 



Myrioco.rpa longipcs, Liebmann. This is a member of 

 the order Urticaceee, the genus consisting of six species. 

 It is a strong-growing, shrub-like plant, with large elliptic 

 leaves, some of which are about eighteen inches in length, 

 and half the distance in breadth. The singular inflorescences 

 are produced in the axils of the leaves, and branch dichoto- 

 mously, sometimes attaining a length of from 2 to 3 feet, 

 and trailing upon the ground. The flowers are arranged 

 in a spiral manner along its whole length, giving it a 

 remarkable appearance. It is a native of Vera Cruz. The 

 plant under notice was received from Kew during 1893. 



