COCCINEA. 



297 



in its native woods its dimensions are more splen- 

 did. It not only climbs to the tops of the most 

 lofty trees, but it rises over them ; and it so in- 

 terlaces and festoons them, that the whole forest is 

 hidden ; and when it is in flower, the whole is one 

 mass of crimson and gold, of so intense colour 

 that the eye can hardly bear to look upon it. 

 Then, different from some showy flowers, the 

 scent is as fragrant and refreshing as the colours 

 are brilliant. Nor does it seem that, splendid as 

 this plant is, it is very difficult either to cultivate 

 or to flower. Cochin China, though from the 

 difference of their latitudes, is a much warmer 

 country than Japan, yet resembles it in some par- 

 ticulars, and as even the fine plants of Japan are 

 very hardy when put to the proof, it is natural to 

 suppose that those of Cochin China should be 

 moderately so. It is true that this Rhinanthera 

 has hitherto been treated only as a stove plant, 

 and perhaps it may require to be always so treated 

 till it comes into flower ; but after that it may be 

 brought into the house, and suspended from the 

 roof in a porcelain vessel, after the Chinese 

 fashion, and it will there display its beauty for 

 several weeks; for the flowers are as lasting as 

 they are fine. If left in the dry air, however 

 warm that air may be, it does not flower ; but 

 the method of bringing it into action is to sur- 

 round the stem with moss, and keep that moss 

 constantly moistened with water. 



But, in order to find pleasure and profit in the 

 observation of the vegetable tribes, it is not ne- 

 cessary to resort to the tropical forests, notwith- 

 standing the splendour of their appearance; for 

 the vegetation of every place is so beautifully 

 tempered to the soil, the climate, and the weather 



