CHAP. V. ORNAMENTAL TREES, SHRUBS, ETC. 453 



Brownea. 



A genus of flowering shrubs of unrivalled splendour, in 

 character and foliage bearing a strong general resemblance to 

 Aniherstia, but totally unlike that noble tree in the appearance 

 of their blossoms. The three species described below thrive and 

 blossom exceedingly well in the Calcutta Botanical Gardens. 

 They are probably as easy of propagation as the Amherstia, 

 and if so there seems no good reason why they should not be 

 very generally introduced to the gardens of Calcutta, in which 

 they would form a most superb ornament. Natives of the 

 shady thickets of the West Indies. 



1. B. Ariz a. A shrub or small tree ; bears in March from the 

 end of its stems, which it drags down by its weight, a cluster of 

 blossoms of prodigious size, much resembling a bunch of Rhodo- 

 dendron flowers ; of a fine deep rose colour, and of extraordinary 

 beauty. 



2. B. grandiceps, Sir J. Paxton writes of this and the pre- 

 ceding : 



" Their flowers are produced in a short spike, tier above tier, 

 every day witnessing the expansion of a new tier above those of the 

 former days, till at last the whole mass becomes a globe of living 

 and glowing crimson. This brilliant head appears on the side of 

 the main stem among the leaves. Every evening they rise up and 

 lift themselves from the blossoms to expose them to the dew, so 

 that each morning these beautiful objects lie uncovered; but as 

 day advances, the leaves gradually droop and bend down over the 

 flowers, to guard them from the rays of the sun."* 



3. B. coccinea. Bears smaller heads of flowers than the pre- 

 ceding, but more numerous, and of a bright scarlet colour, ex- 

 ceedingly gorgeous and dazzling. 4. B, Antiguiensis is likewise 

 now found here. 



Amherstia. 



A. nobilis. This celebrated tree has been described as about 

 the most beautiful object in the whole vegetable creation ; and 

 certainly, when in full blossom in February and March, well 

 asserts its claim to be considered so. The immense, pendulous, 

 candelabrum-like clusters of fine red and yellow flowers, drooping 

 from all parts of the tree among the handsome foliage, present 



* 'Flower Garden,' ii. p. 108. 



