98 OENAMENTAI, TOLIAOE PLANTS. 



remarkably handsome, but it is the beauty of its foliage 

 whicli has caused us to introduce it in this place. The 

 leaves are opposite, oblong, and dark green in colour, 

 over which is spread a net-work of silvery gfrey, producing 

 somewhat the appearance of frosted silver. Native of 

 Mexico. 



Aealia 



A very ornamental genus; the order to which they 

 belong, and to which it gives its name, are found in 

 almost all parts of the globe. The great majority of the 

 species are objects of great beauty ia the conservatory and 

 stove, and many are even hardy, or so near it that they 

 require but slight protection during the winter months. 



Aralias should be grown iu sandy loam, and if a little 

 peat and leaf mould be added it will be advantageous to 

 them ; they may be increased by cuttiugs, eyes, and seeds. 



A. crasdfolia. — An erect-growing plant, which from its 

 •distinct habit, makes a fine ornamental object either in 

 the conservatory, or open air during summer ; it is also 

 well adapted for in-door decoration, especially during the 

 winter months. The leaves are alternate, from one to 

 two feet in length, and about an iuch in breadth, thick 

 and fleshy, having a few obtuse distant lobes along the 

 edges, which end in a short spine ; on the upper side 

 they are very dark olive green, and the prominent mid- 

 rib deep orange, the under side is of a uniform dull brown. 

 Native of New Zealand. 



A. erassifolia punctata. — ^This is a plant that has been 

 for some time in cultivation under this name. The shape 

 of the leaf is like that of A. erassifolia, it is not, how- 

 ever, so thick in texture ; the lobes at the edges are not 

 so ojituse, and they are terminated by a sharper spine; 



