M oust era — Mbn tagncea . 157 



readily grown and propagated that a plant may soon be 

 spared for placing in the open air during the warmer 

 months. Although, however, it will exist in the open air 

 for a few months in warm and sheltered spots in this 

 country, it is only to be seen to perfection in the stove. 

 Few subjects possess nobler or more singular foliage, or 

 are more worthy of a place for effect alone, while its 

 fruit is edible and produced freely enough when the plant 

 is well-grown. The culture is quite simple — plenty of 

 rich soil, a high temperature, and abundance of moisture. 

 I have seen the plant fruit well in what is called an 

 " intermediate house," but, where convenient, it is much 

 better to place it in a warm stove. Wherever rockwork 

 or any picturesque arrangement is attempted in any of 

 these structures, no nobler plant can be selected for its 

 embellishment. It crawls over such positions with a 

 snake-like stem, and a trail of great leathery leaves per- 

 forated in many places, as shown in the plate. Mexico. 

 Montagnaea heracleifolia (Polymnia grandis). — 

 This is second to no other plant for its dignified and 

 finished effect in the flower-garden, forming a handsome 

 shrub with large, opposite, much-divided, and elegantly- 

 lobed leaves, which are often nearly 3 ft. long, presenting 

 very striking and luxuriant masses of foliage. The stem 

 and leaf-stalks are spotted with white, and the leaves 

 when young are covered with a soft white down. Like 

 most large soft-growing things in this way, it is best 

 planted out in a young state, so as to ensure a fresh 

 and unstinted growth. Easily multiplied from cuttings, 

 which plants freely produce if placed in heat in January. 



