MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. 187 



inches across, of a brown and yellow colour, spotted with red ; the singular curled 

 form and colour of the flowers, render the species very interesting. Oncidion, 

 from Ogkidion, a tubercle; two prominences on the lip. 



15. Phacelia vinifolia, Vine-leaved. (Pax. Mag. Bot.) Boragineae. Pen- 

 tandria Monogynia. A very neat dowering half-hardy annual pu.nt. The flower 

 stem rises about half a yard high, branching, producing numerous flowers. Each 

 flower is about a quarter of an inch across, of a bright blue colour, becoming 

 gradually paler to the centre. The plant has bloomed in the Birmingham Bo- 

 tanic Garden, as we also saw it in several places around Manchester. It was in- 

 troduced from Texas by the late Mr. Drummond. Phacelia, from Phakelos, a 

 bundle; alluding to the flowers. 



16. Physostegia troncata, Blunt-calyxed. (Bot. Mag., 3494.) Labiatce. 

 Didynarnia Gymnospermia. A native of the Texas, and seeds of it were sent by 

 the late Mr. Drummond in 1834, to the Glasgow Botanic Garden. It is a very 

 pretty flowering annual plant, deserving a place in every flower garden. The 

 flower stem rises about ten inches high, branching, producing many racemes 

 clothed with numerous flowers of a purple rose colour, the throat and part of the 

 lip being spotted with dark purple; each flower is near half an inch across. 

 Physostegia, from Physa, a bladder; and stege, a covering; alluding to the calyx. 



17. Poinsettia pulcherrima, Showy-flowered. (Bot. Mag , 3493.) Syno- 

 nym. Euphorbia pulcherrima. E. poinsettiaua. A native of Mexico, where it 

 was discovered by Mr. Poinsette, in 1828. It has bloomed in the collection at 

 the Edinburgh Botanic Garden, as also at Dr. Reills, Canon Mills, near Edin- 

 burgh. It is a most ornamental flowering stove plant. The fine scarlet crimson 

 bractea, being about ten inches across, produce a most splendid appearance. In 

 Philadelphia, the Bracteas, it is said, are as much as twenty inches across ; it 

 blooms early in Spring; the plant well merits a place in every hothouse. Poin- 

 sette, in compliment to Mr. Poinsette, the discoverer of the plant in Mexico. 



18. Scilla Cupaniana, Cupani's Squill. (Bot. Reg., 1878.) Synonym. Or- 

 nithogalum cceruleum. Hyacinthus stellatus. A native of Sicily. A hardy 

 bulbous plant, which has bloomed in the collection of H. F. Talbot, Esq., Lacock 

 Abbey, Wilts. The flowers are produced in a lengthened corymbous head ; each 

 flower is about half an inch across, of a dull purple colour. The pistil and stems 

 of the filaments are of a bright blue, and produce a pleasing contrast ; it blooms 

 in June. Scilla, from Shyllo, to injure; roots being poisonous. 



19. Tradescantia Virginica, flora alba, White flowered Virginian Spider 

 Wort. (Bot. Mag., 3501.) Commelinea:. Hexandria Monogynia. This pretty 

 flowering variety produces a striking contrast with the fine blue and purple 

 flowered kinds. The present variety is quite hardy and blooms profusely; each 

 flower is near two inches across, white, slightly suffused with purple towards the 

 centre. We have had it some years, it is to be obtained of most of the principle 

 nurserymen. Tradescantia, from Mr. John Tradescant, Gardener to King Charles 

 the First. 



PART III. 

 MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. 



QUERIES. 



Being a subscriber to your publication, I hope you, or some of your cor- 

 respondents, would favour me in your next part, or as soon as possible, with a 

 list of tlit: best show Pinks that are going at present. Being only one that is 

 commencing in the science of Botany, I hope you will give me the best of your 



I advice, and you will oblige yours, J. S. 



On a Suitable Soil for Annuals. — I should be much obliged if some cor- 

 respondent would favour me with a description of the proper soil for annuals, 

 and if one kind would do for all. I fancy I use it too light. I have been thiuk- 



m 



