MISCELLANY OF NOTES AND CORRESPONDENCE. 45 



graceful terminal clusters of rush-like stems, from 6 to 9 feet in length, near the 

 margin of the water. Limnocharis Hun.boldtii was also unfolding its lovely 

 lemon coloured blossoms, which reposing upon the dark green foliage had an 

 admirable effect. Amongst the miscellaneous species upon the margin and inner 

 verge, were extraordinary plants of Richardia aethiupica, forming a striking 

 ornament throughout the winter. Nymphaea caerulea, with azure-blue flowers, 

 and Sagittaria gigantea. On the more elevated parts of the rock, large masses 

 of Hedychium coronarium, Alpinia nutans, and various species of Canna, toge- 

 ther with the beautiful-habited Papyrus, formed a highly picturesque back- 

 ground to the whole. Passing the aquarium, a noble group of the Musacese 

 appears as a commencement of the east front ground-pit, in which all the plants 

 now under notice are planted. The species ot Musa comprise rosacea, coccinea, 

 Cavendishii, and a new species with large irregular purple blotches upon the 

 leaves. These noble specimens were from 18 to 20 feet in height, with leaves 

 from 7 to 10 feet in length, and 2 to 3 feet in width, and presented a rich contrast 

 to the differently-habited plants around them. 



Amongst the finest plants, as they occurred in continuation, were Erythrina 

 Crista-galli, 8 feet in height, and the same in diameter, producing a second crop 

 of flowers, in spikes of from 2 to 3 feet in length. Salvia splendens, 8 feet in 

 height, and 25 feet in circumference, with several hundred spikes of orange- 

 scarlet flowers. An Aralia, a noble plant, 16 feet in height; Euphorbia jac- 

 quiniflora, 7 feet in height, and 12 feet in circumference, promising a rich 

 harvest of bloom ; Hibiscus Jerrohlianus (same as speciosus) 10 feet in height ; 

 this is a fine herbaceous species, with rich crimson flowers, 6 and 8 inches in 

 diameter. Michelia oblonga, a fine specimen, 16 feet in height, and 36 feet in 

 circumference, producing thousands of fragrant blossoms, similar to those of a 

 Magnolia. Lagerstroemia indica, 12 feet in height, and 22 feet in circumference, 

 crowned with rose-coloured blossoms; and Carica Papaya, 12 feet in height. 

 On the south end border were Lagerstroemia elegans, a magnificent shrub, 14 

 feet in height and 44 feet in circumference (differing from L. indica in if? more 

 diffuse habit of growth) producing hundreds of rosy-pink blossoms. Hibiscus 

 sinensis Parkeri, 13 feet in height, and 21 feet in circumference, one of the most 

 beautiful shrubs for conservatory culture, and ornamented with crimson blossoms 

 from 4 to 6 inches in diameter. Saecharum officinarum (the Sugar Cane) 

 about 20 feet in height, Cookia punctata, a neat habited tree, with dark green 

 winged leaves. Inga Harrisii, 13 feet in height, and 30 feet in circumference, 

 producing thousands of delicately-shaded crimson, tassel-like flowers in spring. 

 Amongst plants on the east front border, ivere amazingly fine specimens of the 

 old stove shrub, Eranthemum pulehellum, fiom 2 to 3 feet in height, and 12 feet 

 in circumference ; Justicia speciosa, equally neat in its habit of growth, pro- 

 ducing numerous purple flowers in autumn ; Gesnera oblongata, also one of the 

 finest wintei-flowering plants. On the south-west end border are beautiful 

 specimens of Cycas revoluta, and C. glauca, extending their elegant feather-hke 

 fronds, or leaves, 24 feet in circumference. A large and noble group of Musa 

 Cavendishii introduces the visitor to the west front, in the border of which was 

 a matchless specimen of Poinsettia pulcherrima. 17 feet in height and 18 feet 

 in circumference, displaying its gorgeous orange-scarlet bracts, from 12 

 to 18 inches in diameter; also, Hibiscus Josa sinensis, 10 feet in height, 

 and 24 feet in circumference, forming a compact tree, richly ornamented with 

 scarlet blossoms ; Lantana mixta, I feet in height, and 33 feet in circumference 

 uniformly studded with orange blossoms; Durauta Plumierii, II feet in height, 

 and 15 feet in circumference. 



A varied feature is assumed in the continuation of the west-front border, by 

 a group of plants, representing the natural order of Cycads, in the genera of 

 Zumia and Cycas, planted between the interstices and divisions of artificial 

 rock-work, representing their native modes of growth ; amongst these were Cycas 

 revoluta, 21 feet in circumference, and C. circinalis (Sago Palm), 15 feet, the 

 latter producing its elegant feather-like fronds (from a central column), 5 feet 

 in length. Zamia pungent, 8 feet in height, and 26 feet in circumference. 

 Z. Altensteinii, 10 feet in height, and 27 feet in circumference. Z. caff'ra, with 

 column-like steins, 10 feet in height, each surmounted with a crown of winged 



