DESCRIPTIVE LIST OF FLOWERS. 285 
MESEMBRYANTHEMUM.—Icz-Puanr. 
{From the Greek, meaning flowering at mid-day.] 
Mesembryénthemum crystallinum.—Ice Plant. —Is 
about the only one of the many species cultivated in the 
border. 
“ With pellucid studs, the Ice-flower gems 
His rimy foliage, and his candied stems.” 
This is a singular and very curious annual, with thick 
fleshy leaves, that have the appearance of being covered 
with ice-crystals. The stems of the plant are also stud- 
ded with crystal gems, and have the appearance of rock- 
candy. The whole plant is peculiarly brilliant in the sun- 
. shine. It sueceeds well in the border when forwarded in 
small pots, in light sandy soil, in a hot-bed. When the 
young plants have filled the pots with roots, they must 
be shifted into those of a larger size. They may be 
turned out into the border the first of July, or before, if 
the weather is very warm; they will continue to increase 
in size and beauty all the season. The plant is highly 
ornamental and curious, but there is not much beauty in 
the flower. Few green-houses, however small, are with- 
out the Ice-plant; from its glittering surface, it is some- 
times called the Diamond-plant, Diamond ficoides, and 
Spangled-beau : — 
“ Geranium boasts 
Her crimson honours, and the Spangled-beau, 
Ficoides, glitters bright the winter long. 
All plants of every leaf, that can endure 
The winter’s frown, if screened from his shrewd bite, 
Live there and prosper.”—Cowper. 
—_—or—— 
MIMOSA.—SensrrtvE Pant, 
[From the Greek, for mimic, as the irritable leaves imitate the sensibility of 
animals.] 
Mimésa ptidica.—Sensitive Plant.—A native of Brazil, 
and well-known for the extreme irritability of the leaves, 
which, when touched, immediately fold themselves to- 
. 
