342 Foreign JVotices. — England. 



packed heads. The old, but always pleasing, E. Bowieana, was 

 never more appropriately grown than hy Mr. Jackson, whose jjlant 

 was 4 ft. high, yet displaying a bushiness and disposition to ramify 

 which is uncommon in the species, and having enormous sjjikes of its 

 pure white, partially pellucid flowers. E. propendens, one of the most 

 interesting of the tribe, was shown by Mr. Barnes. It was 2 ft. or 

 more in height, and well bloomed, l)ut ap[)earing as if it had blos- 

 somed too freely in the preceding season. Its delicate pinki.sh purple, 

 bell shaped flowers are highly beautiful, and their drooping charac- 

 ter is in unison with its slender foliage. The E. Bergiana, brought 

 by Mr. Jackson, had reached the height of 2 ft. and was quite covered 

 with small dark puce colored inflorescence; it is a desirable species. 

 In the name of Mr Pawley, White Hart, Bromley, there was a good 

 specimen of E. cylindrica, with its long, u])right, salmon colored 

 blossoms, of which this species is very prodigal. E. vestita carnea, 

 from the same individual, was likewise dwarf, and finely cultivated. 

 From Mr. Kyle, gr. to D. Barclay, Esq., I.eyton, Essex, there was 

 a handsome plant of E. suaveolens, which had numberless large 

 heads of thickly disposed, pale i)ink, and sweet scented blossoms. 

 E. vestita cocciuea, bearing bunches of brilliant red blooms, was 

 plentifully exhiiiited; and there were other good varieties of the same 

 species. Still, the varieties of E. ventricosa claimed and received 

 universal admiration; and they are, perhaps, unrivalled, both in 

 resi)ect to foliage, habit, or the prof\ision, delicacy, and showiness of 

 their flowers, or the facility with which they may l)e brought into 

 and retained in a favorable condition. If, however, all were arrest- 

 ed by the specimens of old and familiar kinds, every one nmst have 

 felt astonished on beholding no less tlian 23 new and apparently dis- 

 tinct varieties of E. ventricosa, from W. H. Storey, Esq. of Isleworlh. 

 We confess we were at a loss whether to be most surprised at the 

 diversity of color and asj)ect, or the uniform dimensions and robust- 

 ness of the plants. Each was as near as possible of the same height 

 and diameter, and all were peculiarly verdant, as well as prolific of 

 bloom. They might be taken as a convincing proof of what can be 

 done in the hybridization of heaths. It should be stated that there 

 were 4.5 plants, but that there were 3, 4, or more specimens of some 

 of the sorts. 



"The precedence which we have just given to the heaths would, if 

 gorgeousness of inflorescence, without reference to variety, had been 

 consulted, have been strongly contested by the Cacti. Of these there 

 were some that were never before equalled, especially a specimen or 

 two of Cactus speciosus. One in Mr. Green's large collection 

 I'eminded us of his noble azaleas at the last meeting. it was about 

 5 ft. high, and trained to a kiiul of crescent shaped trellis, between 2 

 and 3 ft. broad, the flowers being brought to the front, and there 

 collected with such extreme density, that they were literally |U"event- 

 ed from ex[)anding |)roperly. Where an extraordinary brilliancy of 

 eifect is required, this mode of training cannot be excelled. It was 

 also adopted with some of the Epiphylla. When, however, the 

 blossoms are wished to stand out distinctly, so as to invite and bear 

 individual examination, the best system of training is to use a barrel 

 shaped trellis, which opens out gradually and slightly towards the 



