EKICA. 263 



scale will sometimes gain a footing, bat should be carefully 

 picked off by hand. Mildew is their worst enemy, but careful 

 watching will prevent this working any mischief; strict at- 

 tention to watering being very necessary, so that the root- 

 action and that of the leaves may be duly balanced — not one 

 portion of the plant excited, whUst the other is at rest. 

 When mildew does appear, flowers of sulphur must be 

 lightly dusted upon the affected parts, and continued until 

 the fungus is destroyed. We may just note, that we have 

 seen the little parasitical native plants called Dodders {Cm- 

 cuta Europma and C. Epithynmm) do much mischief before 

 being discovered. The seeds of these parasites, being in 

 the soil, germinate in spring, and as soon as the plants are 

 long enough to cling to the Heath, the roots which are in the 

 soil die, and the Dodder begins the life of a true parasite, 

 growing into and binding up the stems of the plant it is 

 upon, until if not removed it does serious injury, even if it 

 does not cause death. Finally, to be successful in the cul- 

 tivation of Ericas, drain well, pot very firmly, and water 

 freely, but judiciously. 



E. Aitoniana. — A slender-branching species ; leaves in 

 threes, bluntly linear, armed at the point with a short spine, 

 and having a groove down the centre, glossy, very sticky, 

 and lying close to the stem ; the flowers are terminal, three 

 or four together, tubes slender, an inch long, with a large 

 spreading four-lobed limb ; they are at first white, changing 

 to pink with age, and sticky. It seems to be a rare' species 

 in its native habitat, and that is a somewhat moist and warm 

 situation ; it blooms during July and August. Cape of Good 

 Hope. 



E. Aitoniana superba. — An improved form of the species, 

 with larger flower tubes, and more compact habit of growth, 

 flowering about the same time. A garden variety. 



