ABEONIA T7MBELLATA. 153 



foliage, does not convey an idea of the habit of the plant, which is weak and 

 trailing, bearing some analogy to that of the Nolanas. The leaves are opposite, 

 fleshy, of a blunt oval form, and generally more or less sinuate at the margin. 

 The flowers are produced in umbels, from the axils of the leaves and branches, 

 on stalks two inches or more in length, stained with red, bearing from ten to 

 twenty blossoms surrounded by a many-leaved involucre. The blossoms are 

 entirely sessile, and consist, as already explained, of a coloured calyx only, the 

 true corolla being absent. Our figure shews that at the base, enclosing the germen, 

 the tube is slightly four-angled, a little contracted immediately above, and inflated 

 near the orifice of the flower, which has a funnel-shaped limb, divided into five 

 heart-shaped lobes. The five short stamens are arranged within the tube at vary- 

 ing distances from its mouth, and the ovary is crowned by a small simple stigma. 

 After the withering of the upper portion of the calyx, its base swells consider- 

 ably, and assumes a pendant position, the four angles already referred to becoming 

 developed into a wing-like form. The whole plant is covered with minute viscid 

 glands, especially the flower-stalks and the flowers themselves. The colour of the 

 leaves is a pale glaucous green ; that of the flowers a lilac pink, except the tube, 

 which is bright red at the base, as are the leaves of the involucre. We may observe 

 that the flowers are produced in great abundance on established plants, and in 

 long succession, and when well grown, its appearance is highly ornamental. 



This leads us to speak of its propagation and culture. Although by no means 

 of difficult treatment under certain conditions, it must be admitted to be somewhat 

 more delicate than many other summer occupants of the garden, especially in a 

 young state, the roots appearing to be exceedingly impatient of stagnant moisture. 

 The most important conditions of success are that the soil should be of a dry, 

 porous texture, and that its branches should be kept from the ground. If allowed 

 to trail they speedily suffer from the moisture of our climate, and it is therefore 

 indispensable to interpose something which will effectually prevent contact with 

 the soil. This may be accomplished either by surrounding the plant with a few 

 bushes, chopped small, over which it may trail ; or by'supporting the shoots with 

 slender willow rods ; or it may be grown to perfection, trained against a south 

 wall. Perhaps one of the most elegant modes of cultivating this pretty plant, is 

 to arrange it as the central occupant of a circular bed, planting it in a raised 

 basket of sandy loam and vegetable soil, and allowing its branches to trail freely. 

 In such a position it will be seen to great advantage, and there will be little or no 

 risk of injury from excessive moisture ; if desirable, the surface of the soil in the 

 basket can be covered with shingle, or a few cut twigs. It is not completely hardy, 

 and should therefore be protected in winter in a frame, though, as it is more sensi- 

 tive to wet than cold, it would probably bear exposure, if covered by a hand light. 



It may be readily increased by seeds, which in favorable situations are produced 



