THE ILLUSTRATION HORTICOLE. 



again presently. We think, and this is the opinion of many 

 botanists, that C. ecccelsa, Fortunei and sinensis are merely 

 forms of a single species. We have recently had abundant 

 confirmation of this in the numerous fruiting specimens 

 which have come under our observation, and which have 

 gradually lost the distinctions of the young state, and now 

 bear fruit almost exactly alike. 



A very handsome example, named Fortunei, and upwards 

 of twelve feet in height, crowned with a magnificent head 

 of foliage is the object this season of a very unusual phe- 

 nomenon, the entire change of sex. Last year and in pre- 

 ceding years, it bore only female flowers, which matured 

 their seed and from which numerous healthy plants were 

 raised. This season, this very same tree is bearing, at the 

 present moment, 15 splendid male panicles covered with 

 thousands of flowers, amongst which we have not been 

 able to discover a single female, and that after repeated 

 searchings. 



To make certain that there was no misunderstanding or 

 mistake on either side, we questioned both M. Cornells 

 and the Viscomte, who repeated their statement; and we 

 have their combined evidence that there has been an 

 absolute change of the sexes in one year. 



Ch. argentea is just beginning to shew the beauty of its 

 silvery glistening foliage. Ch. hystrix, which owes its spe- 

 cific name to the presence of numerous long slender prickles 

 at the base of the leaves, giving it a porcupine like appear- 

 ance , exhibits the remarkable peculiarity that each separate 

 thorn or spine is free and easily detached from the fulvous 

 sheath in which it is inserted. Unfortunately, its habit 

 leaves much to be desired , and it is doubtful whether it 

 will ever develop the elegance of the other species. Ch. tomen- 

 tosa is represented by a strong plant, which likewise begins 

 to exhibit the marked polymorphous characteristics of its 

 petioles, especially at their junction with the blade. 



Ch. duplicifolia , of which we saw a strong specimen ob- 

 tained from Belgium , is doubtless the singular form of Ch. 

 humilis, in which the pinnules are doubled, that we observed 

 for the first time at one of the International Exhibitions 

 of Europe , at Amsterdam , we believe. This plant is more 

 curious than beautiful , and is not always constant in respect 

 of this peculiar duplication of the pinnules. A still more 

 strange appearance is presented by a form named Ch. elegans 

 glauca, which, in addition to an elegant habit and the 

 pretty marine green tint of its foliage, displays a very remark- 

 able arrangement of the pinnules, the lower ones to the 

 right of each fan shaped leaf being turned upwards forming 

 au acute angle with the other part of the leaf, in consequence 

 of an imperfect development of the central node from which 

 they radiate at their junction with the petiole. We never 

 saw this extraordinary character developed to the same ex- 

 tent before. Another fine excelsa, called vera, 23 feet high, 

 and a few other scarcely distinguishable varieties, not 

 worth particularising on that account, complete our hasty 

 notes on this genus at Villa Vigier, with the exception, 

 however, of the most peculiar of all. 



This last and most extraordinary plant is of Japanese 

 ori gin, it is said, and was received under the name of 

 Chamaerops Bino. It differs in every respect from. Ch. excelsa. 

 In habit it is compact, and its fan-shaped , erect leaves are 

 as hard as zinc , and of a beautiful glaucous green. The 



^th leaves and form a miniature; 

 aspect. 

 As a pendant t<> thi< l.lantati..: 



tiful striped folia 

 do to depend upon 

 may start strongl 

 by late frosts. B. 

 branching shrubb; 

 apt to become dis< 

 mitis exceeds, her 

 hardiness. 



Cyperus alter ni, 

 of the basin . doe 



whose slender sha 

 petioles are arme< 

 looking spines, tl 

 length , and very 1 

 dentata. Another 

 tains a large quan 

 in October and is 

 vouroftheFig. Ni 

 this year, fertilise, 

 Several other Pal 



planted near the house where it is too much e: 

 the influence of the winds; Corypha „„*/,■,//,*, a 

 rous species, which we observed with regret wa 

 frost at the points of the young leaves in plac 

 Hyeres to Genoa, but which nevertheless is begi 

 form some fine specimens. The plateau upon w 

 Villa is built being destitute of lai-v 

 recently purchased a number of large Date Palmi 

 dighera, on the Italian coast, and transported tl 

 great cost to his garden, many of mem weighing 

 of two tons each. These trees have a 

 and are flourishing, the soil having been pre]) 

 them to a great depth. The greater part of them 

 45 to 50 feet in height. To form an undergrowtl 

 Palm grove , a large number of plants of Cordylint 

 have been introduced , and their vigorous growth 

 thing astonishing. They are clothed to the very 



