148 THE PARLOR GARDENER. 



and whenever you have reason to fear that they 

 may be seriously injured by the cold at night, 

 which would happen only when it freezes very 

 hard outside, you will take the precaution of 

 placing them on your mantel-piece for the night. 

 Their bloom continues very long, and will fully 

 recompense you for your trouble. Treat in the 

 same way the Brunselsias, the torrenia Asiatica, 

 the yxoras,* the cechmeas, and the small begoni- 

 as, which, in company with each other, inside 

 of your double window, will constitute there a 

 charming little parterre taken from the tropical 



flora. 



Sparrnannia. 



Do not forget to add to the above one or two 

 plants of the Sparmannia, a native of the Cape 

 of Good Hope. In thio pretty plant you may 

 observe, while it is in bloom, the phenomenon of 

 retractility, with a contrary effect, however, 

 which renders the sensitive plant so curious. 

 Touch delicately with the end of your finger the 

 summit of the stamens of a flower of Sparman- 



* There is an interesting history of the yxora in Mrs. London's 

 book. 



