MEDINILLA. 149 



small portion of fibrous loam, and some silver sand added. 

 A slight rest after finishing their growth is necessary, but they 

 must be only partially dried off ; care must also be taken to 

 cut out all coarse, gross shoots in a young state. 



M. erecta.-^An extremely beautiful plant, producing 

 throughout the entire year lovely dark-blue trumpet-shaped 

 flowers, with a rich orange throat. The leaves are opposite, 

 ovate, smooth, dark green. It is a charming plant for home 

 decoration, but on account of the flowers falling so readily if 

 shaken, it will probably never appear in a creditable state at 

 our large exhibitions. Native of West Africa. 



M. erecta alba. — This is an exact counterpart of the pre- 

 ceding, but differing in colour, for the flowers are pure white, 

 with an orange throat. It forms a nice companion plant for 

 M, erecta, the blue and white flowers yielding a pleasing 

 contrast. 



M. Vogeliana. — A fine erect-growing shrubby species, with 

 large, ovate-lanceolate, dark green leaves. The flowers are 

 deep bluish violet, with a yellow throat, about the same size 

 as in M. erecta, but of greater substance. There is a deep 

 red-flowered variety of this species, which would be a fine 

 addition to our stoves if introduced. Native of West Africa. 



Medinilla. 



A beautiful genus of Melastomacem, requiring treatment 

 similar to that recommended for Lasiandra. The species all 

 appear to be natives of the Indian Islands, and luxuriate in a 

 moist atmosphere and high temperature. There are many 

 fine kinds yet to be introduced to our gardens. They should 

 be potted in a compost of two parts fibrous peat to one of 

 loam, with a liberal quantity of sand, and a Uttle well- 

 decomposed manure added. 



