CHAP. V. ORNAMENTAL TREES, SHRUBS, ETC. 587 



small pure-white flowers, and is then a most beautiful object 

 to view. 



2. W. exserta. Dr. Roxburgh speaks in highest praise of the 

 beauty of this plant ; but I have been unable to learn of its 

 existence, or indeed of any particulars concerning it, in the 

 Calcutta Botanical Gardens. 



Rondeletia. 



R. punicea. A small hard- wooded shrub about three feet 

 high ; one of the commonest, and at the same time one of the 

 handsomest ornaments of our gardens ; bears in constant suc- 

 cession, through the Hot and Eain seasons, compact moderate- 

 sized trusses of beautiful orange-scarlet blossoms, somewhat like 

 miniature heads of Auricula : these, as they decay, should be 

 removed, otherwise they remain a very long time on the plant, 

 giving it a dirty unsightly appearance. Propagated by layers ; 

 these should be put down in the Rains, and will take three or 

 four months before ready for removal. Bears seed also, but 

 rather scantily, in the Cold season, which some little care must 

 be taken to secure. The best plan is to search for the berries 

 before ripe, and tie them up in fine linen, so that on ripening, 

 when they open and discharge their seed, it may not be lost. 



Rogiera. 



R. thyrsiflora, Lately introduced ; of a genus of shrubs de- 

 scribed as with oval soft-haired leaves, and bearing dense 

 corymbs of small salver-shaped, rose-coloured flowers. 



Portlandia. 



P. grandiflora WHITE HORSE. Native of Jamaica, where it 

 is common among rocks. Of this truly noble and choice shrub 

 plants may be sometimes seen in Calcutta among the collections 

 of the curious ; three or four are to be met with in the Calcutta 

 Botanical Gardens, which continue constantly in blossom, except 

 during the Cold season, from which, if not sheltered, they seem 

 rather to suffer. The character of the foliage is very handsome, 

 of a fine rich glossy green, contrasting well with the flowers, 

 which are as much as five inches long, resemble those of the 



