1 1 o Notes and Gleanings. 



which has hitherto usually borne the name of V. insii^nis is not the plant of 

 Blume, but, as was often suspected, a form of V. tricolors and that Blame's 

 plant is not only a perfectly distinct species, but as fine a one as any in the 

 genus, V. Cathcartii, perhaps, alone excepted." It is a native of the Moluccas. 



Allainanda Jiobilis, Noble Allamanda (Bot. Mag., t. 5764). — A magnificent 

 plant imported from the Rio Branco by Mr. Bull of Chelsea, and certainly one 

 of the finest stove climbers in cultivation. Dr. Hooker says, "As a species, I 

 doubt very much its proving distinct from A. Sckotiii, A.grandijiora, A. au- 

 bletii, and A. Hendcrsonii j but as a horticultural acquisition, it differs from 

 all these, and surpasses them individually, either in habit, or the large size 

 and full green of the foliage, or in the very large flower, its regular contour 

 and bright color, or in the number of flowers produced, or in their magnolia-like 

 odor — altogether rendering it one of the most gorgeous free-flowering stove- 

 plants introduced into Europe for many years past." The flowers occur in six 

 to eight flowered axillary racemes ; the corolla is four to five and a half inches 

 across ; the color fine golden yellow, with pale spot at the base of each segment. 



Cyclamen Africanum, Algerian Cyclamen (Bot. Mag., t. 5758). — An ex- 

 tremely beautiful and large variety of one of the European kinds, probably C. 

 Neapolitanuni. The roots sometimes attain the size of a large turnip. The 

 flowers are white with purple tinge, and deep purple spots at the base of 

 the petals. — Floral World. 



New Golden Coleuses. — The value of the coleus for ornamental purposes 

 is well known, whether the object be the decoration of the stove, or the orna- 

 mentation of the dinner-table ; and they have the additional merit of being 

 grown easily. 



Many of the varieties recently offered are decided acquisitions, their colors 

 being of the richest, embracing many shades of glowing red, and rich dark crim- 

 son. The following varieties are doing well with me, and, as they are quite dis- 

 tinct from the older sorts, they are all the more valuable : — 



Albert Victor. — The centre of the leaves bronzy-red, with a very broad gold 

 margin, and on the extreme margin a narrow red line. Very free in growth, and 

 of good habit. While showing it to a gentleman to-day, he said, " Every leaf is 

 a bouquet of itself." 



Baroness de Rothschild. — This variety is mucli like the preceding ; the only 

 differences which I see, are that the foliage is much longer, and deeper in color. 

 This is the gem of my collection. 



Princess Beatrice. — The leaves are of a golden-green hue in the centre, 

 marked and partially veined with crimson ; the edge is also marked with a belt 

 of crimson. This is a very beautiful variety, and very distinct. 



Prificess of Wales. — I very recently saw this variety exhibited at the garden- 

 er's show at Maidstone ; but it is not so distinct or so good as Princess Beatrice. 



Telfordii aiirea. — I have grown this variety in a brisker heat. I have tried 

 different soils, but have not succeeded in making it equal Plectranthus concolor. 



The season for bedding-out is just commencing ; we shall then be able to 

 prove the value of the new coleuses as bedders. — F. P. L., in English Journal 

 of Horticulture. 



