EXTKACTS. 155 



remain in their seed-bed till the next year, when they will flowar. It is a bad 

 plan to transplant them, as it prevents their blooiiiiug well; and it is urine- 

 cessary, for it they are thinned when young, thoy "ill require no further care. 

 jEuotbera, (see page 37.) 



3. Calandrinia arcndria. Sand Calandrinia, Polyandria Monogynia. Por- 

 tulacea;. An inconspicuous annual, very common in sandy places near Val 

 paraiso, whence seeds were brought by Air. Hugh Cuiuing. Jt tiowored last 

 yeai in the garden of the Horticultural Society. Flowers; rosy purple, with 

 a sinaH yellow eye. The plant is hardy, and readily increased by the little 

 shining black seeds, which are produced in abuudauce. Calandrinia, (see 

 page 13T.) 



Opunlia auranliaca. Orange coloured Indian Fig. leosandria Monogynia. 

 Cactee. A native of Chili, whence it was originally sent to this country, in 

 18'2-1, by Mr. Nioent. It has also been brought home by Dr. Gillies, 

 whose unpublished Cactus aurantiacus it appears to be. 'I'he plant is a 

 branched dark green bush, consisting of joints six or seven inches long, and an 

 inch or three quarters of an inch wide in the broadest part, nearly round at 

 their base, but perceptibly llatleued towards the point. 'I'he llowers are of a 

 clear bright yellow colour, with a column of while stamens in their centre. 

 Culture. The treatment is the same as other dry stove plants. It is a free 

 grower, and readily multiplied by its jointed branches. Opuntia, so called 

 from having been found wild in the country of the Opuntii, a tJreeian people. 



An interesting fact relating to the common European Opuntia is mentioned 

 by M. De Candolle. " Among the practical consequences," he observes, 

 " that result from the facility with which Cacti strike from cuttings, there is 

 one which deserves to be noticed, on account of its importance : it is, the man- 

 ner in which the Opuntia is employed to fertilize the old lavas at the foot of 

 /Etna. As soon as a fissure is perceived, a branch or joint of an Opuntia is 

 stuck in; the latter pushes out roots, which are nourished by the rain that col- 

 lects round them, or by whatever dust or remains of organic matter may have 

 collected into a little soil ; these roots once developed, insinuate themselves 

 into the most minute crevices, expand, and fina'ly break up the lava into mere 

 fragments. Opunlias treated in this manner produce a great deal of fruit, 

 which is sold as a refreshing food through all the towns of Sicily." 



5. Kubus ruridus. leosandria, Polygynia. Rosaeeae. 'J' his rare species flow- 

 ered in the garden of A. B. Lambert, £s(|., Uoyton House, Wilts., in the Au- 

 tumn of 1832. It is a native of Madagascar, and strikingly different from all 

 the known species of simple leaved brambles, in its finely cut stipules and 

 bractea;, which are covered over with numerous little transparent green glands, 

 giving all the parts that surround the petals an appearance of being sprinkled 

 with green dew. It is probable the plant will re(|uire a tJreenhouse. It may 

 easily be increitsed by layers. Rubus, from the Celtic word rub, signifying red. 



6. Malva KmbellAla, umbel flowered Mallow. Monodelphia, Polyandria, 

 M&lvacea;. This plant is a native of iMexico, and although cultivated many 

 years ugo in the Royal Gardens at Madrid, it had never found its way to our 

 collections until introduced from its native country by Mr. I.AMBKurin 1826. 

 has hitherto been treated as a hot-house plant, for it is apt to suH'er from the 

 damp of a greenhouse iu winter. It is rather a coarse- looking plant; but its 

 many elegant scarlet blossoms compensate for its less graceful habit. Malva, 

 from Malasso, to voften ; its emollient qualities. 



The Botanic Garden. Monthly, Is. Gd. large; Is. small coloureil. 

 Ediltd \>y Mr. IJ. Maund. 



I. /.i7/u)</)<!rmHm /nir/>uri'a<ra'ru/i'i(w, purple and blue, groniHrll. Penlau- 

 dria, .Monogynia. Uoragine.e. A native of l-:u;;tand ; pereiniial ; inhabits 

 chalky soil ; height one fuut ; llowcrt Iruni April ('■ .lunr. This is one amongst 

 Ifac prctlitit uati\i plantk ul >thich Lngl.ind can boast. Its rhangrablc hue 



