Poputar anp GeocrapHicaL Notice. This plant is a native - 
of the countries bordering on the Straits of Magellan, and also of 
Staten Island. We bring it before our readers less on account of its 
appearance, which, however, is sufficient to recommend it to notice, 
than from the circumstances under which our specimen grew. It was 
reared ir one of the plant cases of N. B. Ward, Esq. Wellclose-Square, 
London, and flowered in June, 1838. Many may have heard of the 
method of growing plants adopted by this gentleman, but as it is at 
once interesting as regards the physiology of plants, and important 
as regards their transmission from one part of the world to another, 
and their subsequent cultivation, we here introduce some account of it, 
partly from the letter of Mr. Ward, addressed to Sir W. J. Hooker, 
and published in the “Companion to the Botanical Magazine,” vol. i. 
p- 317, and partly from our own observation; having been furnished by 
Mr. Ward, not only with an opportunity of having the drawing made, 
but also most politely with every facility of judging of his plan in full 
operation. 
The structure of the cases varies slightly, according as they are 
intended for ornament in a house, or for the transmission of plants by 
sea. The glass, in those intended for voyages, must be covered with a 
wire grating to protect it, as any fracture would be destructive to the 
plants within; and it should be lashed to the poop of the vessel, exposed 
to the light, and not interfered with during the voyage. In this way 
Messrs. Loddiges have sent out, or received, not fewer than 200 cases, 
and generally with complete success. 
For ornamental purposes in houses, the cases should be constructed 
as follows. A frame or pedestal with casters is to be made, nearly the 
width of the window where it is intended to be placed, and so high 
that the portion of the case consisting of glass shall be on a level with 
the winddw, so as to ensure the free exposure of the plants to the light. 
A case formed of wood is then to be placed on the support or pedestal. 
This wooden case may be about a foot and a half deep, and of similar 
width. It must be coated internally with itch, or any cement which 
will keep the humid earth from being in’ contact with the wood. 
A hole is to be retained in the under side of the box, perforating both 
the pitch and the wood. This box is to receive the mould, which, after the 
plants are planted therein, is to be saturated with moisture, and the su- 
perfluous portion allowed to drain off by the hole just mentioned, which 
is afterwards to be closed with a wooden moveable peg. The wooden 
portion of th is tob ted, to the height off two or three feet, 
with a frame-work of b i the form of the upper 
part is to be similar to the roof of a ae the central beam of bronze 
having a number of hooks attached to it, by which succulent plants, 
such as cacti, may be suspended, with or without pots. There is a 
small door of glass on the side remote from the window, through which 
