MARCH.] GREEN-HOUSEREPOTTING. 107 



covered with small flowers from March to May. M. re- 

 tusa has green and purple flowers ; M. rotundifblia, 

 flowers white and purple. They will grow in any si- 

 tuation, and are of easy culture. 



Mespilus japonica. The plant, known under that 

 name, is now Eriabotrya japonica, Loquat, is a fine plant 

 with large lanceolate, distantly serrated leaves, white 

 underneath ; small white flowers on a racemose spike, 

 and produces a fruit about the size of a walnut, of a 

 fine yellow blush colour, and of delicious flavour. If it 

 flowers in the fall, it will require the heat of a Hot-house 

 to ripen the fruit. It is of very easy culture, and its 

 noble aspect is never passed unobserved. 



Metrosideros, about five species. Many have been 

 added to CaUistemon. M. flbrida, M. umbellata, and M. 

 angustifblia, are the best species. C. salignum, C. Ian- 

 ceoldtum, variety semperiflbrens, C. glaucum, once M. spe- 

 ciosa, has splendid scarlet flowers and C.formosum; 

 these are all beautiful plants, with scarlet flowers. Other 

 two beautiful species with white flowers have been given 

 to Jlngophora. A. cordifblia, once M. hispida, and A. 

 lanceoldta, 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 ; 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. 



