

COCCINEA. 279 



not only climbs to the tops of the most lofty trees, 

 but it rises over them ; and it so interlaces and fes- 

 toons them, that the whole forest is hidden ; and 

 when it is in flower the whole is one mass of crim- 

 son and gold, of so intense colour that the eye can 

 hardly bear to look upon it. Then, different from 

 some showy flowers, the scent is as fragrant and 

 refreshing as the colours are brilliant. Nor does 

 it seem that, splendid as this plant is, it is very 

 difficult either to cultivate or to flower. Cochin 

 China, though from the difference of their latitudes a 

 much warmer country than Japan, yet resembles 

 it in some particulars, and as even the fine plants 

 of Japan are very hardy when put to the proof, it is 

 natural to suppose that those of Cochin China should 

 be moderately so. It is true that this Rhinanthera 

 has hitherto been treated only as a stove-plant, and 

 perhaps it may require to be always so treated till it 

 comes into flower ; but after that it may be brought 

 into the house, and suspended from the roof in a 

 porcelain vessel, after the Chinese fashion, and it 

 will there display its beauty for several weeks ; for 

 the flowers are as lasting as they are fine. If left 

 in the dry air, however warm that air may be, it 

 does not flower ; but the method of bringing it into 

 action is to surround the stem with moss, and keep 

 that moss constantly moistened with water. 



But, in order to find pleasure and profit in the 

 observation of the vegetable tribes, it is not neces- 

 sary to resort to the tropical forests, notwithstand- 

 ing the splendour of their appearance ; for the vege- 

 tation of every place is so beautifully tempered to 

 the soil, the climate, and the weather of that place, 

 that though some may be more novel than others, 

 it is impossible to say which is the most interesting. 

 If in one place there is more continual action, there 

 is in the other more activity after the season of re- 

 pose is over ; and where there are the flowers of 

 summer and the fruits of autumn in perpetual sue- 



