MayJ] HOT-IIOUSE — OF REPOTTING, ETC. 151 



it is a plant unique in appearance, having large elongated 

 ovate leaves, beautifully striped with green and dark 

 purple, and called the Zehra plant. It has light blue flow- 

 ers in ovate spikes, about the size of large pine cones. It is 

 an herbaceous plant; but in the warmest part of the hot 

 house retains its splendid foliage; requires a very liberal 

 supply of water, and ought to be in every collection. (Soil 

 No. 11.) 



Cdnnas, about thirty species, several of them deserving 

 cultivation both for flower and foliage : they are principally 

 natives of the West Indies, and might all be easily obtained. 

 The finest are C. <jujdntca, has large leaves and orange 

 flowers; C. limLdta, flowers scarlet and yellow; C. discolor, 

 has large cordate, acuminate leaves of a crimson color, the 

 flowers are scarlet; C. i rid /'flora, has large crimson nodding 

 flowers, very difi'erent from any of the others, and the finest 

 of the genus. They all, while in a growing state, require a 

 liberal supply of water; and being herbaceous plants, water- 

 ing ought to be given up about the first of November, and 

 renewed in February, thus giving them a cessation which 

 they require to flower freely; but when water is constantly 

 given, which is the general plan in our collections, they con- 

 tinue to push weak shoots and few flowers. (Soil No. 12.) 



Cactus. This extensive genus is interesting, and varied 

 in character and habit ; it is now divided into seven distinct 

 genera, according to their natural appearance and disposition. 

 We will describe a few of each genus, none of which going 

 under the name of Cactus, we will give them the six follow- 

 ing, premising that the time is not far distant when this 

 family will be successfully cultivated in every parlor window, 

 and the whole tribe will be sought for with more avidity than 

 any other class of plants that have ever been brought to 

 notice, not even excepting the Rose They require a dry 

 heat, and will grow either in town or country, and are com- 

 pletely adapted for the denizen amateur, and will afi'ord 

 more beauty and interesting display than can be imagined 

 until witnessed. 



Mamilldria.s, about seventy species, and are those which 

 are covered with roundish bearded tubercles, and with small 

 red and white flowers. M. coccinea, M. simplex, M. pusMla, 

 M. idnwa, 31. sfeUaia, and J/. acantJiopJdcrjma, are good 



