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CANTUA DEPENDENS. 



Pendcnt-Jtoivered Cantua. 

 Linncan Class— Pentandria. Order— Monogtnia. Natural Order— Toly.uoxi\ceje. 



' Since the introduction of the Fuschias and the Bengal Eose, our gardens have 

 received nothing so remarkable as this new shrub.' Such were the words with 

 which Dr. Lindley accompanied the publication in Paxtoris Flower Garden of the 

 Cantua dependens ; and in this merited encomium most of our readers will, we are 

 sure, be well disposed to concur. 



Of the existence of this species of Cantua Botanists have long been aware ; but 

 it was not until 1849 that living specimens were introduced from the Peruvian 

 Andes, where it was discovered by Mr. W. Lobb, the indefatigable collector of 

 Messrs. Yeitch of Exeter. Whatever may be the demerits of our little publication, 

 we are, at least, exempt from one reproach — that of exaggerating the figure of the 

 plants we illustrate, as, from the limited size of our plate, our drawings are 

 necessarily more or less reduced in their dimensions. Our readers are hardly 

 likely, therefore, to be led by our representation of it, to overrate the beauty of 

 the Cantua dependens, which has every chance of becoming one of the most popular 

 plants introduced for many years. Of easy culture, compact medium habit, pos- 

 sessing neat and unobtrusive foliage, and producing a profusion of elegant flowers 

 of more than ordinary dimensions, we have no doubt that in a very short time 

 it will take its place with the Fuschias, Geraniums, and other ' household plants ' 

 now to be found in the cottage of the humblest lover of flowers. It will probably 

 prove as hardy as many of the Fuschias, and will certainly flourish in the open 

 border during the summer months. Messrs. Yeitch have obligingly informed us 

 that a specimen planted at the foot of a south wall has stood two winters with only 

 the protection of double mats ; and they are of opinion that it would bear five or 

 six degrees of frost without injury. The plant so exposed by them is now four feet 

 high, and flowered abundantly during the summer of 1851. 



But although it may thus be said to be partially acclimatized in Devonshire, few 

 persons, we apprehend, in the Eastern, Midland, or Northern counties, will feel 

 disposed to risk so valuable and rare a plant in the open ground during the winter 

 months. As a pot plant it succeeds admirably, specimens only a foot high 

 flowering freely ; but in winter, it requires to be kept in a cool, airy apartment, 

 with only a small supply of water. It is partially evergreen ; and, as like the 



