May.~] HOT-HOUSE OF REPOTTING, &c. 173 



racemosa, purple. P. quadrangularis has beautiful red 

 and white flowers. The plant is in several collections, but 

 has seldom flowered; it requires to be planted in the ground 

 to make it flower freely, and it will also produce fruit. P. 

 picturuta is a scarce and beautiful various-coloured species. 

 P. kermesina, bright rosy crimson, and, beyond all ques- 

 tion, the most profuse flowering species now in cultivation, 

 and will do well in a good green-house. P. Loudonii, 

 bright crimson; P. edulis is cultivated for its fruit. There 

 are many other fine species, but these are the most es- 

 teemed sorts; and, when well established, will flower pro- 

 fusely from May to August. They are desirable in every 

 collection, and will take only a small space to hold them, 

 by training the vines up the rafters of the hot-house. (Soil 

 No. 13.) 



Phoenix, Date-palm, about eight species, principally 

 Asiatic plants. The foliage is not so attractive as many 

 others of the palm family, but it is rendered interesting by 

 producing a well-known fruit called Date. P. dactylifera 

 will do very well in a common green-house. In Arabia, 

 Upper Egypt, and Barbary, it is much used in domestic 

 economy. P. paludosa has the most beautiful foliage, 

 and the best habit. The flowers are dioecious. (Soil No. 

 12.) 



Plumbago rosea is a pretty free-blooming plant, with 

 continued profusion of red flowers ; it requires plenty of 

 heat and a good drainage. (Soil No. 11.) 



Plumerias, above twenty species. Plants of a slow 

 growth, robust nature, and are deciduous. The foliage is 

 greatly admired. The plants are shy to flower, but are 

 brilliant in colour. P. acuminata has lanceolate, acute 

 leaves, flowers corymbose and terminal. P. tricolor has 

 oblong, acute, veiny leaves ; corolla red, yellow and white. 

 This and P. rubrd are the finest of the genus. They 

 ought not to get any water while not in a growing state. 

 (Soil No. 11.) 



Poinsettia* pulcherrlma. When well cultivated, this 



* Named by Professor Graham, of Edinburgh, in compliment 

 to the Hon. J. R. Poinsett, (late secretary of war,) who intro- 

 duced the plant in 1828 to this country from Mexico, while he was 

 Minister Plenipotentiary to that Republic. He also, at the same 

 time, introduced a rich and valuable collection of Cactza. 

 15* 



