TOXICOPHL.93A. 173 



TOXICOPHL^IA. 



This is a South African genus of Apocynacea, containing 

 but few species. The bark of these plants is said to be 

 poisonous, and is used amongst the Hottentots as an ordeal ; 

 they require the heat of a cool stove or intermediate house. 

 The pots must be well drained, and the soil should be com- 

 posed of about two parts loam, one part peat, and a good 

 portion of sharp sand. Propagation is effected by cuttings, 

 layers, and seeds, when the latter can be obtained. 



T. spectdbilis. — A handsome compact-growing plant, which 

 in habit and appearance much resembles an Ixora ; the 

 leaves are opposite, elliptic, and dark- green ; flowers tubular, 

 with a spreading five-lobed limb ; pure white, deliciously 

 fragrant, and produced in a large terminal corymb, and in 

 smaller ones from the axis of the leaves, thus forming a dense 

 raceme of bloom upwards of a foot in length. It blooms 

 during spring and early summer. Native of South Africa. 



Tyd^ea. 



This genus is now recognised as thoroughly distinct from 

 Achimenes, our old acquaintance A. picta being the type. 

 We have a considerable number of Tydaas, some introduced 

 species, but the greater part of them garden hybrids and 

 varieties. They are very handsome winter and early spring- 

 flowering plants, and deserve every attention, on account of 

 the manner in which they enliven the hothouse during the 

 dreary winter months. If potted in the compost recommended 

 for Achimenes, they will succeed well ; but it is necessary 

 always to bear in mind that Tydaas will not suffer drying like 

 Achimenes, as they only make slender underground stems, 

 and not scaly tubers as the Achimenes do. After being cut 



