170 HOT-HOUSE OF REPOTTING, &C. [May. 



distinguished by having bristles on the underside of the 

 leaves. These bristles are fixed by the centre, so that 

 either end of it will sting. We are not aware of any other 

 plant being defended in this manner. M. urens has oblong, 

 ovate leaves, with decumbent stiff bristles ; flowers pink. 

 M, aquifolia has lanceolate, stiff, spiny leaves, and we think 

 the most beautiful foliage of the genus. M. fucdta has 

 elliptical shining leaves, with lilac flowers. M. gldbra, 

 leaves ovate, entire, smooth; flowers purple. They all 

 have five rounded clawed petals. The last species is cul- 

 tivated in the West Indies for its fruit. The pots must be 

 well drained. (Soil No. 17.) 



Merica, a genus of hot-house plants, closely allied to 

 Iris, between which there is no distinction in the leaves. 

 The flowers of M. coeriilea are beautifully spotted with 

 light and dark blue, the scape many-flowered. M. Sab\ni 

 has flowers similar, but not so dark in colour. M. North- 

 idna has splendid white and brown spotted flowers, spathe 

 two-flowered. These plants, when growing, require a 

 liberal supply of water, and should be greatly encouraged 

 by frequent potting, to flower well. (Soil No. 12.^ 



Meldstoma was once an extensive genus, on which the 

 natural order Melastomacese is founded ; but is now much 

 divided into other genera contained in the natural tribe 

 Micomese. There are about thirteen species remaining in 

 the genus. They now display great unity of character, 

 and many of them may be considered very ornamental. 

 The finest are M. heteromalla, bluish purple, and an abun- 

 dant bloomer; M. malabdthrica, rose-coloured; M. son- 

 guinea, lilac ; M. splendens, large violet ; and M. dspera, 

 rose. There is a plant in several of our collections known 

 as M. purpurea and M. tetragona, which is Osssea pur- 

 purdscens ; leaves ovate, lanceolate, acuminate, five-nerved, 

 pilose; the footstalk and nerves underside of the leaf 

 covered with brown hairs; stem four-sided; flowers pur- 

 ple. All the species are easy of culture. M. nepalensis 

 is a green-house plant. (Soil No. 1.) 



Mandevilla Suaveolens,or Chili Jasmine: this beautiful 

 climber is a native of South America ; the flowers are in 

 clusters and nearly bell-shaped, white, and of exquisite fra- 

 grance ; the bloom is produced on the extremity of the 

 shoots. After the flowering season the plants should be 



