METROPOLITAN FLORAL EXHIBITIONS. 133 



flora ; jMessrs. Veitch, for fine plants of Eiiostenion cuspitlatum, and 

 E. buxifolium ; Mr. "W. Pamplin, for Epacris f^rrandiflora. Among 

 other specimen platits exliibited was a handsome Tropseolum azureuni 

 from Mr. Green ; Hibbertia perfoliata from Mr. Reynell ; a fine Ne- 

 penthes distillatoria (not rewarded because entered as a plant " in 

 bloom") from Messrs. Lucombe and Co. ; Torenia asiatica from Mr. 

 Hamp ; and a hybrid Tropaeolum from Mr. Buiniey, of Stratford ; tliis 

 latter is not remarkable for beauty, for it has a dull brownish red spur 

 and calyx, tipped with green, resembling T. pentaphyllum, and small 

 straw-coloured petals like a pale T. brachyceras. 



Of New or Rare Plants in bloom the first prize was given to 

 Eriostemon scabrum, a handsome species, with linear warty leaves and 

 pinkish blossoms. The second was awarded to a New Holland shrubby 

 species of Gompholobium from the same establishment : this plant has 

 pinnate leaves of seven subulate leaflets, and the tips of the young shoots 

 have a peculiar woolly appearance ; the flowers are clear yellow, and 

 pretty. The third prize was given to Messrs. Henderson, Pine Apple- 

 place, for a small Bossiaea, with minute opposite cordate leaves, and largish 

 orange yellow flowers, brown on the outside. Extra prizes were given 

 for Hoya campanulata from Messrs. Veitcii ; and to Gardenia Stanley- 

 ana from Messrs. Rollisson ; and also to Rhododendron macranthon, a 

 handsome white spotted variety, from the same. Messrs. Henderson 

 also sent Puya Altensteinii. Messrs. Rollisson had Impatiens platy- 

 petala, Gesnera Suttoni alba, a curious flesh-coloured variety ; Te- 

 tratheca verticillata, and Rhododendron Albertus. Mr. Barnes sent a 

 terrestrial Orchid from Algiers; and Mr. Smith, of Norbiton, sent 

 three hybrid Rhododendrons, — cumulatuni, salmon-buff, with buff spots ; 

 imperiatum, pale rosy lilac, with buff spots; and floribundum, deeper 

 rosy lilac, spotted in the same way. Of plants of tliis class not in 

 bloom, the first prize was given to a magnificent specimen of Nepenthes 

 Rafflesiana, with six perfect pitchers ; this came from Messrs. Lucombe, 

 Pince, and Co. The second was given to Messrs. Veitch, for Platy- 

 cerium grande ; and an extra award was made to Bichoffia javanica 

 from Mr. Glendinning, Ciiiswick. 



As new hardy hybrid shrubs, Mr. Smitli, of Norbiton, showed a 

 collection of Rhododendrons, blush and bull' coloured ; the latter being 

 a break in the right direction, but partaking too much of a pale straw 

 colour to be of much value. A true yellow-flowered Riiododendron 

 is still a desideratum. The sorts were croceum, bufi"; aiireum, gemni- 

 ferum, nearly white; patulum, buff; Paxtonianum and pulchrum, the 

 latter two blush coloured. Mr, Jackson, of Kingston, also sent a 

 Rhododendron, named campanulatum. 



Notwithstanding the succession of unfavourable weather, the Pelar- 

 goniums appeared in great perfection, and contributed their due share 

 to the floral beauty of the exhibition. In tiie Amateurs' Class, for 

 collections of twelve new and first-rate varieties, cultivated with supe- 

 rior skill, Mr. Cock, of Chiswick, took the lead ; to iiini was awarded 

 the Gold Banksian Medal. His collection contained Hector, IMilo, 

 Sultana, Sylvia, Emperor, Pearl, Zanzumniini, Negress, Isabella, Rosy 

 Circh?, Arabella, and Orion. The Silver Gilt Medal was not awarded ; 

 and Mr. G. AViltshire, gardener to J. G. Reynell, Esq., received the 

 Silver Knightian for Rosy Circle, Hebe, Coronation, Nymph, Sultana, 



