68 MITEAEIA COCCINEA. 



extended sense ; in very severe winters some protection would, doubtless, be 

 necessary ; but at the nursery of Messrs Veitch of Exeter, tbe importers of this 

 fine plant, a specimen has been fully exposed for four winters, without any protection, 

 against a north wall. Messrs Veitch are of opinion that it would bear ten or 

 twelve degrees of frost without injury. 



This comparative hardiness is, perhaps, to be attributed to tbe character of the 

 roots, which, unlike those of most other Gesneraceous plants, are not scaly tubers, or 

 rhizomes, but truly fibrous. "We would not, however, be understood to hazard the 

 assertion that all tuberous-rooted plants are necessarily tender ; but we think this 

 conclusion would hold good with regard to a large majority. 



The habit and general appearance of the Mitraria will be sufficiently understood 

 by a reference to our figure. Its stems are unusually slender, branched, and, in 

 specimens of sufficient age, reach the height of about three feet. The foliage is 

 small, and somewhat brittle and succulent, Avith a number of short hairs scattered 

 over its upper surface. The flowers are numerous, and produced singly from the 

 axil of the leaves, on foot-stalks two inches long, with a ventricose corolla, from 

 the mouth of which protrudes the long slender style. Its season of blooming 

 extends from May to the end of June. 



The soil most suitable for its cultivation is a mixture of good turfy peat and loam, 

 in the proportion of three parts of the former to one of the latter. "Where this is 

 not at hand, any soil containing a tolerably large proportion of leaf mould may be 

 used, avoiding those of a poor sandy character, as well as pure loams deficient in 

 decayed vegetable matter. When grown out of doors, it must be planted under a 

 north wall, or screened from the sun's influence by a fence, for it will not flourish 

 except in the shade. Until its hardiness in the northern and eastern couuties has 

 been more fully tested, we would not recommend its exposure during tbe winter 

 months without some protection. A small hand-glass, or a large inverted flower 

 pot, will offer a ready means of warding off the effects of frost ; and to these may be 

 joined, as an auxiliary, a small heap of coal ashes. Where there is the convenience 

 of a cold frame, the roots may be potted in the autumn and preserved with less risk. 



If grown as a pot-plant, it will be necessary to provide it with a cool, shady 

 window ; and an arid atmosphere must at all times be avoided. Especial attention 

 must be paid to the drainage, for the soil in which it appears to succeed best being 

 of a retentive nature, too great an excess of moisture must be guarded against, by a 

 good supply of broken crocks. 



Gesneraceous plants, as well as all others with tuberous roots, usually require to 

 be kept quite dry when at rest ; but with the Mitraria a somewhat different treat- 

 ment will be necessary, for its fibrous roots will not bear the complete withdrawal 

 of moisture. It will, therefore, need an occasional watering during the winter 

 months, though the soil must be kept only in a slightly moistened condition, and 



