ISO EXTRACTS. 



the deep green of its leaves, and its aspect of robustness, but it seldom flowers ; 

 this is owing to the weakness of the specimens, compared with what is natural 

 to them in their own country. It is not enough to keep their leaves green and 

 plump, it is also necessary that the plants should grow rapiiUy ; then and then 

 only will they yield their stately and beautiful racemes of pale yellow wax- 

 like blassonis. It llourishes when kept in a warm damp atmosphere, in pots 

 extremely well drained, and not exposed to the direct light of the sun. It is 

 requisite to keep the plant free from slugs or woodlice, both of which delight 

 in feeding on its exposed roots. Dendrobium, from Dendron, a tree; and 

 bio, to live, growing upon trees. 



3. Calceolaria viscosissima. Clammy. (Synonyms, C. integrifolia visco- 

 tissima, C. rugosa macrophylla, C. rugosa latifulia.) Diandria Monogynia. 

 Scrophularinip. A beautiful shrubby species, with the habit of C. integrifolia, 

 except that it has a far more herbaceous character. It is covered all over 

 with viscid hairs, so densely, that it is difficult to separate it from any thing 

 that is pressed upon it. It grows about three feet high, and produces ample 

 profusion of golden yellow flowers all the summer long. Culture: it is a 

 frame plant, easilj' multiplied by cuttings. Calceolaria, (see page 107.) 



4. Lobelia Tupa. The Tupa poison plant. Syngenesia Monogamia. Lo- 

 beliacefe. Of this plant we read as follows in the curious Journal of Father 

 Fenillee, who visited the West coast of South America between the years 1707 

 and 1712. — " All this plant is a most ready poison ; its root yieldeth a deadly 

 iTiilk, as also doth its stem ; the odour of its flowers produceth cruel sickness. 

 When one handlelh them, care must be had not to bruise the plant between 

 the fingers; for if one thereafter rubbelh his eyes, some of the milk having 

 touched them, a man will surely lose his sight, as halh been remarked by 

 £xperience * * *. I found this plant on the mouutanis ot the kingdom of 

 Chily, as high as 37 degree? of south latitude." — In the gardens it is an her- 

 baceous plant, grow ing from three to six feet high, producing a number of 

 unbranched stems, covered with broad gre\' leaves, and terminated by a raceme 

 of dull but rich reddish purple llowers. It is not hardy enough to bear our 

 Winters without protection, because of the wet ; but keep it dry, and it re- 

 quires no other care, for it will grow in any soil or situation. It flowers in 

 August and September. Culture : increased by division of root. Lobelia, 

 (see page 12.) 



5. Xeroph'jlhim seli/oliiim. Tough leaved XerophylUim, (Synonyms, X. 

 tenax, Helonias tenax, Helouias asphodelioides.) Alexandria Monogynia. — 

 Welanthacea;. A most beautiful hardy herbaceous plant, having tall spikes 

 of white and violet flowers, appearing in June and July. It grows very vigo- 

 rously in peat soil. It grows «ild in various parts of North America, espe- 

 cially in the sterile tracts called Pine-barrens, both on the East and West 

 sides of the Continent The natives, where it is abundant, weave their water- 

 tight baskets out of its tenacious leaves. Xerophyllum, from Xcros, dry ; and 

 phyllon, a leaf, in allusion to the texture of the foliage. 



6. Aster imiiiens, cur\e\ea.\i:-il. (Synonyms, A. juuceus, A. longilolins, A. 

 mutabilis, A. Irevigatus, A. virgineus.) Syngenesia superflua. CompositiB. 

 A very common North American Aster, found in marshes and by the sides ol 

 ditches, from New York to Carolina. The leaves spread much when the plant 

 is in flower, and the floral leaves are very tajier jiointed. The plant is a hardy 

 perennial, growing often from live to six feet high, and bearing in the latter 

 end of September a profusion of bright lilac flowers. The plant is common 

 in gardens, and is often called .■\ster salicifolins. Aster, from .Vster, a star. 



7. GompholMum tlinic. Delicate Gom])holobium. Decandria Mono- 

 gynia, Leguminosa?. .\ little greenhouse under shrub, found on the South 

 VVest coast of New Holland, by Mr. William Baxter, from whose seeds it 

 was raised in the Nursery of Mr. Knight, of the King's Road, where it flow- 

 ered in August last for the first time in this couutry. It is nearly related to 

 G. virgatum, from which it dili'ers in the proportion borne by the standard to 

 the keel; and also to G. vennlosuin, from «hich it is distinguished by its very 

 narrow leaves. Flowers: jxllow, outside of the vexilluin purplish. Culture: 

 iiicreast'd by seeds or cuttings. Soil : sandy loatn and peat. It leipiires to 



