450 Catalogue of Botanical Works. 



Rhipsalis grandiflorus, Large-flowered Rhipsalis ; Cacti. Rhipsalis is a 

 new genus, separated from Cactus by Dr. Hooker. This species is supposed 

 to be an epiphyte. It was introduced to the Royal Garden at Kew by 

 Messrs. Bowie and Cunningham, the king's collectors, in 1816. The plant 

 flowered in 1826, when a drawing was made by a very meritorious gardener 

 lad, Mr. Duncanson, which Mr. Aiton has kindly lent to Dr. Hooker. 



No. VI. for June, contains 



2741 to 2747. — Cactus cochinillifer (2 pi.), Cochineal-bearing Indian 

 Fig, 12 and 1, and Cacti Opuntics. Almost arborescent, growing nine feet 

 high. 



The cochineal insect (Coccus cacti) lives on this species in the West 

 Indies, but in Mexico and Brazil on the C. Tuna. It is a small insect, of 

 the order of Hymenoptera, not unlike the mealy bug of our gardens. " It 

 is aboriginal in Mexico, and was cultivated for its precious dye, long before 

 the conquest of that country." The plantations are called nopaleros. 

 " The proprietor of a nopalery buys, in April or May, the branches or joints 

 of the Tunas de Castilla (Cactus Tuna?), which are sold in the markets 

 of Oaxaca at about three francs a hundred, loaded with young cochineals. 

 These are kept in cellars for twenty days, when they are exposed to the 

 air, suspended under a shed. So rapid then is the growth of the insect, 

 that by August or September the females are big with young, and ready 

 for the sowing, which is done in small nests, made of the fibrous parts of 

 the foliage of a Tillandsia, called Paulle. In four months from the time 

 of sowing the harvest commences. The insects are brushed off with a 

 squirrel's or deer's tail by women, who sit during this operation for whole 

 hours at one nopal plant ; so that, were it not for the extreme cheapness 

 of labour in that country, Humboldt assures us, that the rearing of cochi- 

 neal would prove an unprofitable employment. After being gathered, the 

 insects are killed by boiling water, or by exposing them in heaps to the 

 sun, or by means of the vapour baths of the Mexicans ; and, when dry, 

 they are fit for exportation. By the latter method, the powdery substance 

 is preserved, which increases the value of the insects in commerce." The 

 living insect may be seen in the hot-houses of Kew Gardens. 



Cunningham^ (by Mr. Brown, to commemorate the merits of Mr. James 

 Cunningham, " an excellent observer in his time, by whom this plant was 

 discovered ; and in honour of Mr. Allan Cunningham, the very deserving 

 botanist who accompanied Mr. Oxley in his first expedition into the inte- 

 rior of New South Wales, and Captain King in all his voyages of survey of 

 the coast of New Holland,") lanceolata, the Pinus lanceolata or Araucdria 

 lanceolata of botanists ; Coniferae. A tree of considerable size. Culture in 

 p. 409. — Dianthus earyophyllus, varieties of Picotees from Brussels, by Mrs. 

 Bewicke, of Close House, near Newcastle on Tyne. — Camellia Japonica 

 flore simplici albo, Single white-flowered Camellia, from seed of the striped 

 camellia, by Mr. Rollison of Tooting. — Pleurothallis foliosa, Leafy fragrant 

 Pleurothallis ; Orchideag. An epiphyte from J. T. Mackay, Esq. of the Dub- 

 lin College Botanic Garden ; native of Brazil ; with a delightful fragrance 

 like that of the cowslip, and worthy of cultivation in every stove.- 1 — Acacia 

 mucronata ; Leguminosas. A twiggy shrub from New Holland, of the easiest 

 culture. — We regret to see such things as picotees and common camellias 

 figured in this work, which, in our opinion, ought to be devoted to elegant 

 science rather than floral amusement. 



Edwards's Botanical Register. Continued by John Lindley, Esq. F. L. S. 

 In 8vo Numbers. 4s. coloured. 



No. CXLVII.for May, contains 

 1059 to 1066. — Euphoria (fertile ; from the abundance of its fruit) ver- 

 ticillata, Whorled^oitwea' Euphoria ; Sapindaceaa. A stove shrub figured 



