

THE MISSELTOE FAMILY. 383 



but many species also occur on Tamarix articulata, on intro- 

 duced Orange and Lemon trees, and copiously on the com- 

 mon cultivated Fig (Ficus carica). Some of these species, if 

 introduced, might give additional interest to our plant-houses 

 and conservatories. I believe Mr W. Bull did introduce one 

 or two species a year or two ago, but these lovely and variable 

 plants do not seem to have obtained the attention they de- 

 serve. " The greater number of the Angolan Loranthi glitter 

 with flowers of a more or less pink . or scarlet hue, but about 

 half-a-dozen of the species are adorned with golden or orange- 

 coloured blossoms, and all the species are exceedingly free- 

 flowering. They flower in Angola in the spring *>., from 

 September till November ; but many of the finest species con- 

 tinue their blooming during almost the whole summer, when 

 they may be found not unfrequently covered with ripe fruits 

 at the base, while they are still in full bloom at the top of one 

 and the same branch of their foster-tree." 



Viscum. A curious genus of parasitic plants, represented 

 by the common Misseltoe ( V. album] in our orchards and 

 woods. The flowers are unisexual and dioecious, that is, 

 borne on separate plants, the female plant being more luxu- 

 riant in its growth than the male; and there are many varieties, 

 doubtless of seminal origin, which vary in habit and size of the 

 leaf and fruit. It is commonly found growing on the Apple, 

 Lime, Poplar, Hawthorn, Maple, and more rarely on the Oak 

 and Chestnut. It can best be propagated by seeds, which 

 should be gathered when ripe in April or May, and pressed on 

 to the bark on the under side of the branches of the trees on 

 which it is desirable that it should grow. Some make slits in 

 the bark, but the berries will grow quite as readily if allowed 

 to adhere to the bark by their natural viscidity. If placed on 

 the upper side of the branches, they are liable to be pecked off 

 by birds. Many fail to propagate this plant through attempting 

 to do so at Christmas, when the berries are abujndantly used 

 for indoor decorations, but the seeds are then in an unripe 

 state, and this accounts for their non-germination. The seed 

 throws out roots, and takes hold of the bark in two or three 

 weeks after being rubbed on the tree. . It is necessary to pro- 

 tect the seeds from birds. Grafting succeeds in spring just as 

 the sap of the Apple or Lime begins to move. Cut a sprig of 

 Misseltoe, wedge-shaped at the base, and make an oblique 

 slit in the bark of the stock to receive it, after which cover 

 the wound with cold grafting-wax. For an account of this 

 curious parasite, see 'Trans. Linn. Soc.,' xxiv. 175, or 'Jour, 

 of Bot.,' 1864, p. 361. In the 'Garden,' iv. 12, is an in- 



