ornamental than this, when its spreading branches display their lines 
of snow-white and enduring flowers. Like all the other species and 
genera of the order, it is a native of Australia, of the peculiar vegeta- 
tion of which, it constitutes one of the most remarkable members. 
The resemblance of the plants of the tribe Epacridacez, to the Erica- 
cer or Heath Tribe is so great, that any casual observer would, at the 
first glance, refer the plants of the former tribe to the latter. Nor is 
there any essential distinction between them, except that the Ericacez 
have 2-celled anthers, generally furnished with spur-like, or other ap- 
pendages (see Plate J of Enkianthus reticulatus), while those belonging 
to the Epacridacex, have only 1-celled peas and are always devoid 
of any appendix. There isa i t diff ,in respect to their 
geographical distribution ; for while scarcely any of the Ericacex in- 
trude within the limits of the Australian territory, none of the Epicri- 
dace venture beyond it, finding in its climate and atmosphere the 
conditions best fitted for their organization and functions. The cha- 
racter of the pollen is worthy of observation. In Epacris and all the 
genera of the same section, having a capsular pericarp (seed-vessel) 
and the cells of the ovary many-seeded (such as the genus Sprengalia, 
of which the species Sprengalia incarnata is remarkable for the great 
duration of its flowers, which even till their seeds are ripened have 
nearly the same appearance as at their expansion) the pollen consists 
of three little spheres, whereas in the genera of the section, where the 
seed-vessel is generally closed, and the cells of the ovary one-seeded, 
the pollen is simple. : 
InrropucTion; WHERE GRowN; CuLTure. Seeds of this plant 
were received from New Holland, in 1829, by Henry Moreton Dyer, 
Esq., at that time, Vice President of the Horticultural Society. 
It requires the protection of the greenhouse in winter, but may be 
placed out of doors in summer. Sweet says, the species “ thrive best 
in a sandy peat soil, the rougher and more turfy the soil is, the better 
the plants will thrive: these should always be shifted in full pots, before 
they are turned out of doors in spring.” It requires a free supply of 
water; and may be increased by cuttings. 
DERIVATION OF THE NAMES. 
Epacris, from ert epi, upon, and acgic acris,a summit of a mountain, in re 
ference to the place of growth of some of the species. Nivalis, snowy, in 
allusion to the whiteness of the flowers 
SvKonian 
Epacris nivatis. Loddiges; Botanical akicak'? 1821. Lindley; Bota- 
nical Register, £. 1539. 
