220 THE PROGRESS OF THE PELARGONIUM. 



Messrs. Lawson, of Edinburgh, exhibited at the recent Caledonian 

 Horticultural show a double-flowered Pelargonium, and a variety of 

 Erica Witmoreana having double flowers. 



Primula Sikkimensis. — Dr. Hooker sent seeds of this Primrose to 

 the Royal Gardens of Kew, where the plant bloomed the last spring. 

 It is stated to be the pride of all the Alpine Primulas, inhabits wet 

 boggy places, at elevations from twelve to seventeen thousand feet, 

 covering acres with a yellow carpet in May and June. The flower 

 stem ris°es from one to two feet high, erect, bearing an umbel of golden- 

 yellow flowers, about seven blossoms in each. The flower is about an 

 inch across. It is, perhaps, the tallest Primrose in cultivation. 

 (Figured in Bot. Mag., 4597.) 



Sifhocampylus am.enus. — From South America, and which is cul- 

 tivated by M. Van Houtte. The plant is half-shrubby branching, 

 having dark green leaves of the medium size. The flowers are pro- 

 duced in long terminal racemes, similar to the smaller-growing Lobelias, 

 of a pretty orange-red colour, and the anthers form a yellow centre. 

 Each blossom is about an inch long, and the five-parted end is, when 

 expanded, about the same across. It is a very singular and handsome 

 species, well deserving a place in the stove. 



Spirea Dougeassi. — Douglas discovered this fine species in North 

 America, on the plains of Oregon. It is a charming hardy shrub of 

 moderate growth, and a very free bloomer. The flowers are produced 

 in a dense, terminal panicle, from four to six inches long, of a deep 

 rose colour. The termination of the head of flowers is not in a narrow 

 point, but has a round end. It is a very handsome shrub, and deserves 

 a place in every shrubbery. 



Thyrsacanthus lilacinus. (Synonyme, Justicia lilacina.) — A 

 stove shrub, from South America, which grows freely, blooms pro- 

 fusely and very ornamental throughout winter. (Figured in Paxtoris 

 Flower Garden.) 



Trichopilia coccinea. (Synonyme, T. marginata.)— A beautiful 

 stove Orchideous Epiphyte, from Centra]. America. Sepals and petals 

 narrow, nearly four inches long, buff tinged with red. The large wide 

 tube of the labellum is white outside, and a rich deep carmine inside. 

 Each blossom is about seven inches across. It has recently bloomed 

 in the stove in the Horticultural Society's garden at Chiswick. (Figured 

 in Paxton's Flower Garden) 



THE PROGRESS OF THE PELARGONIUM. 

 (Continued from page 201.) 



BY ORION. 



There appears to have been a very dull season following the brilliant 

 one (1840), lately described, for very few novelties appeared during 

 the year 1841, and nothing of first-rate or lasting character. Mr. 

 Foster's Life Guardsman was, perhaps, the principal, and though 



