CHAP. V. ORNAMENTAL TREES, SHRUBS, ETC. 537 



time of its growth. Shortly after the time of flowering the 

 stems die down, when the large scaly tubers should be put away 

 undisturbed in their pots till about May, at which time they 

 begin to start again, and should be repotted. 



3schynanthus. 



Plants of this genus are natives of humid forests, and several 

 are found in Assam. As regards their leaves and manner of 

 growth, they much resemble the Hoya, but produce flowers very 

 dissimilar. In their native localities they are epiphytal, and in 

 Europe are said to succeed best in reduced moss, with a little 

 heath-soil and potsherds, as also to flourish most luxuriantly on 

 a log of wood covered with moss, fastened with copper wire. 

 The above mode of culture points out the necessity of a light 

 open soil of vegetable mould for their cultivation in this 

 country. In the vicinity of Calcutta they thrive, generally 

 speaking, but very indifferently, though plants of so much 

 beauty as to deserve every attention bestowed upon them to 

 make them thrive. Their cultivation in the Betel-house is 

 attended with some success, I understand ; though they flower 

 but poorly there. 



1. .32s. grandiflorus. A native of India ; bears, in September, 

 heads of large trumpet-like flowers, of a beautiful crimson- 

 scarlet colour with dark stripes. 



2. &s. sp. in Calcutta Botanical Gardens. Altogether smaller 

 in habit, is also very beautiful in blossom, producing flowers of 

 the same colour and at the same season as the last. 3. 

 Roxburgh!!. Flowers described as scarlet. 4. Ms. zebrina. 



CRESCENTIACE^E. 

 Crescentia. 



1. C. Cujete CALABASH-TREE. A tree shrub : flowers large, 

 bell-shaped, greenish-white, with dull-purple lines. Principally 

 interesting for the pumpkin-like gourd it bears, of which Mr. 

 Gosse says, in Jamaica admirable domestic vessels are made. 



2. C. acuminata. A curious evergreen shrub, interesting from 

 the character of its stems, which bear wings, rendering them of 

 the same broad flat appearance as the leaves. 



