ACACIA GRANDIS. 115 



spicuous, and their freedom from knots or roughness, and tapering form, makes them, 

 in our opinion, far more desirable than the brittle hazel rods or painted sticks, 

 ordinarily used for these purposes. 



The hardiness of the present species has already been adverted to. It will be 

 prudent, however, to afford the roots some protection in very severe weather ; but 

 the covering should not be suffered to remain too long, or the bulbs would be forced 

 into premature growth. 



All the Oxalises may be cultivated in pots ; and when thus treated, they can 

 easily be preserved through the winter in a dormant state. Considering the great 

 interest attaching to this pretty genus, and the showy character of their blossoms, 

 we are really surprised that they are not more frequently met with. A bed of 

 mixed species, planted in clumps of eight or ten bulbs each, forms in sunny weather 

 one of the most attractive objects imaginable. All the half-hardy species which 

 flower in summer and autumn may be thus grown, and their tubers may be dug up 

 after the leaves are withered, and preserved in dry sand. Among the most desirable 

 species, whether for the open borders or pots, are arborea, yellow ; spectabilis, pink ; 

 violacm, violet ; caprina, flesh ; crenata, yellow ; cuprea, copper-coloured ; lobata, 

 yellow ; lasiopetala, pink ; geniculate, yellow ; and variabilis, with its varieties 

 grandiflora and Simsii, with white flowers. 



There are one or two other points of interest connected with these Oxalises 

 which we reserve for a future occasion. We have, however, said enough we hope 

 to show their value as ornamental subjects, and to induce our readers to possess 

 themselves of such as may be attainable in their respective localities. They are 

 not generally kept by the provincial nurserymen ; but at most of the London 

 horticultural establishments, from twelve to twenty species may be obtained, and 

 in a dry state are easily forwarded to any distance. 



The Oxalis elegans is one of the many importations of Messrs Veitch of Exeter, by 

 whose collector, Mr. Lobb, it was obtained in the neighbourhood of Loxa. It is 

 certainly one of the prettiest of these children of the sun. 



ACACIA GRANDIS. 



Grand Acacia. 

 Linncau Class — Polyoamia. Order — Moncecia. Natural Order — Lequminosje. 



Imjierium in imperio is an appellation which may be, with great justice, applied to 

 the Acacias, so large and distinct a group do they form of the highly important and 

 extensive Natural Order of Leguminous plants. 



