THE FIG-MARIGOLD FAMILY. 395 



of nearly all Melastomads, and especially their anthers, seem 

 specially formed for securing cross - fertilisation by insect- 

 agency, and every group of plants, which depends more or less 

 on insects for fertilisation seems to be especially liable to pro- 

 duce hybrids. The curious structure of the long curved-pointed 

 anthers, and the curved stamens and long connective, seem to 

 act in a manner analogous to that of Salvias ; while the pollen 

 is by some species ejected on the stamens being irritated, just 

 as in Lobeliads. For figures of the sexual organs of these 

 curious plants, see 'Trans. Linn. Soc.,' vol. xxviii., part i. 



Several hybrid or seedling forms of Bertolonia have been 

 raised. To M. Van Houtte, of Ghent, we are indebted for B. 

 Van Houttei (one of the handsomest), B. Mirand&i, and B. 

 Marchandii. The first-named variety was exhibited in England 

 in 1875. 



THE FIG-MARIGOLD FAMILY (Mesembryacece). 



A natural group of succulent, sub-shrubby, or herbaceous 

 plants, having opposite 'simple leaves, and showy purple, rosy, 

 yellow, or white flowers, similar to those of Composites or Por- 

 tulaceas in general appearance. They are principally natives 

 of the Cape of Good Hope, a few being found in South 

 Europe, North Africa, China, and Peru. In our gardens they 

 are represented by two or three hundred species and varieties 

 of Mesembryanthemum, and by Lewisia rediviva, an American 

 plant bearing showy rose-coloured flowers. All the species of 

 Fig-Marigold are readily multiplied by cuttings inserted in dry 

 sandy compost in the summer months ; and, like other succu- 

 lents, the cutting pots or pans should be placed on a sunny 

 shelf near the glass of a warm greenhouse or vinery. Nearly 

 all the species seed freely ; but the seed-vessels, being fleshy, 

 are liable to damp. Seed-bearing plants should have the flower- 

 buds thinned, and the petals should be cut away from the seed- 

 vessel as soon as they fade, or they cling around it and cause 

 damp and mould. A dry and sunny shelf in a warm greenhouse 

 or pit is the best position for seed-bearing plants. Seed should 

 be sown either as soon as ripe or in the spring say March or 

 April on the surface of a well-drained seed-pan filled with 

 sandy compost. Water very carefully with a fine rose after 

 sowing, and cover the whole with a flat pane of glass, and set 

 the pan on a gentle bottom-heat of 65 to 70, until the young 

 plants appear, after which remove the pane, or tilt it so as to 

 admit air freely, and set the seedlings on a sunny shelf near the 

 glass until fit for potting off. 



