242 ON STRIKING CUTTINGS IN WATER. 



in ihe year, I have observed, as a general phenomenon, that the 

 rooting process proceeds hest, and with the most vigour, in May, 

 June, and July. 



If a few ounce, or ounce-and-half, phials be filled to within half 

 an inch of their necks with clear rain, river, or even well water, 

 and then placed in a sunny window of a green-house, or hot room 

 of a house, — or, what is better, over a hot-bed, or plunged in a 

 bed of leaves, or tan, where a steady temperature of 70 or 75 

 degrees exists, — -most of the plants now to be named will emit 

 roots within the periods of from four to twenty-one days : — 



Balsamina — the Balsam, in three or four days. 



Cucumis — the Melon, Cucumber, and doubtless all the species, 

 in a week or ten days. 



Calliopsis lanceoldla — late Coreopsis, in a fortnight. 



Alonsoa — late Celsia urticifolia, not exactly noted, readily. 



Zinnia coccinea — fourteen days. 



Heliotropium ■peruvidnum — ditto. 



Gloxinia and Gesiuria — leaves with buds at the base, or cut- 

 tings at a joint : several species : gradually. The process is 

 exceedingly curious : a bulby protuberance first forms ; a few- 

 silky fibres then diverge, and become an inch or more long ; and 

 finally, though the young bud merely lives, yet it does not decay 

 under water. The plants in this state take to soil without any 

 delay. 



Petunia phctnicea and integrifolia — about ten days. 



Salvia fulgens, splendens, angustifolia, and several others — soon. 



Justicia speciosa and carnea — readily. 



Turnera trioniflora — will root and flower. 



Aloysia citriodora, late Verbena triphylla. 



Ruellia formosa. 



Melastoma cazrulea — in a few days. 



Thunbergia alata — cuttings of two upper joints — very soon. 



Coronilla glauca — takes some time. 



Fuchsia gracilis. 



Erythrina laurifolia — after a certain period, previous to which 

 detachable granulations, interspersed with air bubbles, form round 

 and near the heel : these rise to the surface, like little masses of 

 pith : finally, the radicles protrude. 



Dahlia evinces the same secretions ; as yet roots are not sent 

 forth. 



