250 GREEN-HOUSE REPOTTING. [March. 



folia, M. incana, M. tetragonia, M. thymifofia, are all 

 very fine species, and flower freely if they have been grown 

 from cuttings ; the singularity of flower and diversity of 

 foliage make them generally admired. (Soil No. 1 .) 



Melastoma nepalensis is a good green-house species, 

 flowering freely during winter, of a pale blush colour, and 

 is of the easiest culture. As soon as done blooming, the 

 plant should be well cut in to keep it into shape. (Soil 

 No. 1.) 



Menziesia is a family of pretty dwarf British plants, 

 very similar to the Erica in flower, and requiring the same 

 mode of treatment: they bloom in July and August. (Soil 

 No. 6.) 



Mespilus. See JEryabotrya. 



Metroslderos, about fifteen species. Many have been 

 added to Callistemon. M.flbvida, M. umbellcita, and M. 

 angustifolia, C. salignum, C. lanceoldtum, C. semperflo- 

 rens, C. glaiicum, once M. speciosa, and C. formosum ; 

 these are all beautiful plants, with scarlet flowers. Other 

 two beautiful species with white flowers have been given 

 to rfngophora. Jl. cordifolia, once M. hispida, and Jl. 

 lanceolata, once M. costata ; these genera are very easily 

 distinguished from any other Australasian shrubs, by the 

 peculiar character of having both sides of the leaves alike. 

 The flowers consist of stamens, stiles, and anthers, coming 

 in hundreds out of the young wood for the length of three 

 or four inches, forming a dense cone crowned with a small 

 twig, hence frequently called " bottle brush plant;" leaving 

 capsules in the wood, which will keep their seeds perfect 

 for a great number of years. They grow freely, and the 

 pots should be well drained. (Soil No. 1.) 



Afyrsines, Cape Myrtle, dwarf cape evergreen shrubs 

 covered with small flowers from March to May. M. retusa 

 has purple flowers ; -M. rotundifolia, flowers white and 

 purple. They will grow in any situation, and are of easy 

 culture. (Soil No. 1.) 



Myrtus, Myrtle, is a well-known and popular shrub, 

 especially the common varieties, and was a great favourite 

 (even to adoration) among the ancients. It was the mark 

 of authority for Athenian rulers, and is among the moderns 

 an emblem of pre-eminence. They are elegant evergreen 

 shrubs with an agreeable odour. M. commiinis multiplex, 



