ON STOVE PLANTS. 675 



network of gold- or scarlet. They are readily propagated by 

 cuttings, and require a sandy, peaty soil, with shade from bright 

 sunshine. The bright colours are heightened by placing bell- 

 glasses over the plants. The following are all good : E. argenteo- 

 marginatum, E. argenteum, E, igneum, and E. sanguinohntum. 



Eriocnema marmorata is a pretty small-growing plant from 

 South Brazil, with beautiful variegated leaves. It will thrive 

 under the same treatment as Bertolonias. 



Erythrina marmorata, a free growing Leguminous shrubby 

 plant from the South Sea Islands, is deserving of notice for its 

 handsome leaves, which are blotched and spotted with white in 

 a very effective manner. The young shoots strike, freely in 

 spring, and may be potted on in equal parts peat and loam with 

 a little leaf-mould and sand. 



Ficus. — F. elastica (Indiarubber Plant), with its smooth, 

 shining green leaves, is well-known for its adaptibility as a decora- 

 tive plant for dwelling rooms. When properly established and 

 hardened off it will stand the variations of temperature and dry- 

 ness of the atmosphere better than any other stove plant. The 

 variegated variety, albo-variegata, with its creamy-white margined 

 leaves, is also growing in popularity, though it will probably 

 never oust its green-leaved rival. F. Parcelli is another varie- 

 gated species of considerable merit. It has leaves of a thinner 

 texture than F. elastica, but equally large, and beautifully blotched 

 and spotted with creamy- white and dark green, and coarsely 

 toothed on the edges. F. indica (Banyan Tree) and F. religiosa 

 (Pippul Tree, held in sacred veneration by the Hindoos), both 

 natives of India, and F. sycomorus (the Sycomore of Scripture), 

 from Egypt, are sometimes grown in hothouses for their 

 historical associations. 



Propagation of all the above may be effected by cuttings 

 taken in the usual way. Eyes with a leaf attached will also 

 form plants, but take a longer time. The cut part should be 

 allowed to dry a little before planting. When rooted, repot in three 

 parts turfy loam and one part peat, with a dash of silver-sand. 



Fittonia. — Small-growing, evergreen, trailing perennials, with 

 spreading and beautifully-veined leaves, from the tropical forests 

 of South America. They propagate freely by division and 

 cuttings in spring and summer, and may be grown in either 

 pots or pans in peat, loam, and sand, in a moist, shady part of 

 the stove. F. Verschaffeltii argyroneura has bright green leaves, 

 with a reticulated pure white venation. F. Pearcei has dark 

 green blades, with bright red veins. 



Heliconia. — These handsome foliage plants, ot Canna-like 

 habit, are most valuable subjects for exhibition and grouping. 



