FUCHSIA. 123 



England, from Mexico, thence to this country. This 

 plant, in appearance, is distinct from the above named 

 ones. The leaf is about five inches long, and about 

 three broad, of a bright green, and the underside a lit- 

 tle tinged with purple. The flowers are produced at 

 the ends of the shoots in clusters, are over three inches 

 in length, of a light scarlet red, having the segment 

 green, the inner portion of the flower a deep scarlet, and 

 prepossessing. It is vigorous in growth, with tuberous 

 roots, something like the Dahlia. The seed pod is nearly 

 the size of a cherry, rather more oblong, and very deli- 

 cious in taste, not unlike the fruit of the Cactus. The 

 Fuchsia, being deciduous, will shed the leaf in winter, 

 consequently may be easily kept in a cellar, or any place 

 out of the reach of frost. Dr. Lindley suggested the pro- 

 priety of crossing F. fulgens with F. globosa. Many nur- 

 serymen took the hint The result has been wonderful. 

 The list has now swollen to about one hundred and fifty ; 

 but in many cases the similitude is so great, that it would 

 lead an experienced gardener into a labyrinth of perplexity 

 to point out the difference ; yet all find names and advo- 

 cates. 



So esteemed is this beautiful plant in England, that 

 every new variety commands an enormous price as soon 

 as it appears, which in a few years is reduced to a small 

 sum by being supplanted by another new variety. It is 

 certainly surprising that this magnificent variety of plants 

 is not more esteemed in this country, being easily cultiva- 

 ted by seed or slips, in any common garden soil. The 

 seeds should be sown in the spring, and, when about one 

 inch high, should be potted off Slips should be taken ofi 



