352 Mr Philip Scwell's Observations upon the 



Linn. ; S. Bcnthellii, Hort, ; S. hicolor, Desf. ; S. boliviana, 

 Planch. ; S. cacakmfolia, Dec. ; *S^. calycina, Sibth. Sm. ; 

 S. " camphorata ; " S. coccinca, Linn. ; S. carduacea ; S. 

 "columnii;" S. crass i folia, Desf.; S. cretica, Linn.; >S'. 

 discolor, H, B. K. ; S. "clulcis;" 8. fariimcea, Benth. ; >S'. 

 "fruticosa ; " S. gigantea, Desf. ; S. ghttinosa. Linn. ; S. 

 Grahami, Benth. ; ;S^. grandijlora, Ettling. ; S. ianthina ; S. 

 involucrata, Cav. ; S. Iconuroides, Glox. ; >S'. leucantha, Cav. ; 

 S. napifolia, Jacq. ; 8. nilotica, Vahl. ; S. " oxylepis ; " S. 

 panictdata, Linn. ; S. patens, Cav. ; S. pseudo-coccinea, Jacq. ; 

 S. pulchella, Dec; S. purpurea, Cav.; S. " Eegeli ;" S. 

 " reginoi ; " 8. ringens^ Sibth. Sm. ; 8. " sanguinea ; " 8. 

 semiatrata, Zuccar ; 8alvia splendens, Sellow ; 8. " Verschaf- 

 felti ; " 8. virgata. Ait. 



The above list is extracted from Mr Hanbury's carefully 

 compiled and remarkably full catalogue of plants grown at 

 La Mortola. Where the specific name is placed in inverted 

 commas, no authority can be found for it in the botanical or 

 horticultural works to which we have access. It is probable 

 also that some are incorrectly named. 



The conditions under which the seeds were germinated 

 were as nearly as possible identical. They were sown on 

 the same day in 4-inch pots, two species sharing one pot 

 in almost every case. From November 6 th to November 

 28th the pots were placed in a somewhat shaded position in 

 the open air. They then were exposed to the morning sun. 

 Owing to injuries to some of the seedlings from the attacks 

 of slugs, the pots were removed to an equally shaded posi- 

 tion, where they were, however, more exposed to drying 

 winds. On the 7th of December they were placed under 

 glass in a cold frame, facing the south. The effect of 

 this protection was, of course, quickly noticeable ; but after 

 a few days, during which the frame was kept " close," air 

 was freely admitted throughout the day, the frame serving 

 essentially as a protection against the considerable variations 

 of temperature recorded at nights, when frosts even were 

 registered at rare intervals in certain parts of the garden. 



The rainfall was very slight before March. During that 

 month, however, more than half the total average rainfall for 

 the year fell. This average is 25 inches. Prom October 



