142 CAPE BULBS AS WINDOW ORNAMENTS. 



larger, of a better form, and the habit of the plant is dwarfer and more branching. 

 The blossoms are of a beautiful bright blue, the lower lip of the corolla being 

 streaked with purple. A group of three or four plants proves very attractive ; our 

 own specimen appears likely to ripen abundance of seed. 



Skimmia Japonica. (Aurantiacea.) — Another highly interesting hardy evergreen 

 shrub from Japan and China. In its wild state, it scarcely exceeds three or four 

 feet in height, but the cultivated plants are taller. The leaves are thick and fleshy, 

 of a deep green, smooth on both sides, five or six inches long by one and a half 

 broad, tapering at both ends, and dotted with numerous transparent glands, as in 

 the Orange tree and Myrtle. The flowers are produced in May, in large dense 

 heads of a greenish yellow colour, and emit a strong and delicious odour resembling 

 that of the Daphnes. The blossoms are followed by bunches of bright scarlet 

 berries, which remain upon the plant some months Messrs Standish and Noble 

 states that it produces flowers when but two inches high, and fruit at five or six 

 inches; but we imagine that feet is here intended. These gentlemen further state 

 that ' as an ornamental shrub for the lawn, or for the winter decoration of the 

 conservatory, it has scarcely a rival. No degree of cold seems to injure it. Even 

 when but a few inches high, and the lower leaves resting on the soil, it is wholly 

 unaffected by frost.' It was discovered by Dr. Siebold near Nangasaki, about 

 12,000 feet above the level of the sea. Notwithstanding its agreeable perfume, 

 the Chinese and Japanese regard it as a poisonous plant. Sikimi, its native appela- 

 tion, from which Skimmia is derived, signifying noxious fruit. 



CAPE BULBS AS WINDOW ORNAMENTS. 



The very pretty half-hardy genera of the Natural Order of Irids known as Cape 

 Bulbs, and including the Ixia, Sparaxis, Trichonema, Vieusseuxia, Babiana, Watsonia, 

 Tritonia, and some others, are, with the exception of the Ixia and Sparaxis, not 

 usually found in cultivation as window plants. 



We are induced to notice them this month, in consequence of having been applied 

 to by a correspondent for our opinion with regard to their growth in water. The 

 ease with which the Hyacinth, Narcissus, and other early spring bulbs and conns 

 may be cultivated in glasses, has, doubtless, suggested the enquiry; but we regret that 

 we are compelled to express a serious doubt as to the applicability of the system to 

 the more delicate conns of the Cape bulbs. 



We think our correspondent has overrated the difficulties attending on the 



