CHAP. V. ORNAMENTAL TREES, SHRUBS, ETC. 397 



Gardens, somewhat similar to the last, but not so pleasing a 

 plant. 



Buxus. 



1. B. sempervirens. Common Edging-Box of the English 

 gardens. Two or three stunted specimens in small pots just 

 manage to exist, and that is all, in the Calcutta Botanical 

 Gardens. 



2. B. Chinensis. Somewhat similar to the preceding ; thrives 

 tolerably well here, and possibly might answer for forming an 

 edging if kept constantly dipt in. 



NEPENTHACE^E. 



Nepenthes. 



PITCHER-PLANT. 



The several species of Pitcher-plants are natives principally 

 of Sumatra and the Straits ; and, though occasionally introduced 

 into the Calcutta Gardens, seldom seem to survive long in the 

 climate of that locality. The flowers they bear are small and 

 uninteresting. Their ornamental character consists wholly in 

 their curiously-formed leaves, some of which end in a tendril, 

 bearing at its extremity a pitcher, in some species coloured most 

 gorgeously. Sir. J. Paxton says : " They require slight shade, 

 heat, and moisture, and thrive best potted in chopped moss, 

 which must be kept constantly moist." They may be propa- 

 gated, it is said, by cuttings, layers, and seeds. 



N. distillatoria. Native of Singapore ; bears cylindrical pitchers 

 of the same colour exactly as the leaves. A large plant of 

 this species, trained upon a trellis, planted in the ground 

 beneath the shade of trees, was thriving well in the Calcutta 

 Botanical Gardens some two or three years ago, but it went off 

 suddenly and perished. 



LAKDIZABALACE^. 



Akebia. 



A. quinata. A twining shrub, with pleasing foliage of rich 

 green, small, elliptical leaves, arranged five in a group; intro- 



