MAY.] HOT-HOUSE OF REPOTTING, &c 221 



wedge shaped, nearly sessile, entire, smooth, and re- 

 flexed. They are all evergreens, and the pots should 

 be well drained. They are natives of the East Indies, 

 and delight in a high temperature. 



Aristolochias, Birth-wort. There are several of these 

 belonging to the Hot-house, but none of them deserv- 

 ing particular observation, except A. labiosa. The 

 leaves are reniform, roundish, cordate, and amplexi- 

 caule ; the flower or corolla is of a curious construc- 

 tion, being incurved, and at the base swelled or saccate 

 with a large lip, and all beautifully spotted ; colour 

 greenish brown. It is a climbing plant, and requires a 

 strong heat. 



Astrapwas, three species. A. Wallichii is a celebrated 

 plant in Europe, and a few specimens of it are in this 

 country. It has scarlet unbellated flowers, with an 

 involucre, has twenty-five stamens united into a tube, 

 bearing the corolla with five petals ; leaves roundish, 

 cordate, accumulate, very large with persistent, ovate 

 wavy stipules. The plant is of easy culture, and grows 

 freely, wood very strong. 



Jlrcca, Cabbage-tree, ten species. They are a kind 

 of palms, with large pinnated leaves, or properly fronds. 

 In their indigenous state they are from six to forty feet 

 high, but in the Hot-house they seldom exceed twenty 

 feet. A. catechu is used in medicine. A. olerdcea is 

 cultivated extensively in the West Indies, and the ten- 

 der part of the top is eaten by the natives. A. montana 

 is most frequent in collections. There is no particular 

 beauty in the flowers. They are all easily grown, if 

 plenty of heat be given. 



