BKEXIA. 127 



Beexia. 



This is a small genus of plants giving its name to the 

 order to which it belongs. In their native wilds they 

 assume the form of trees with nearly simple stems, and 

 at home elegant ornaments for the stove. \ During the 

 summer Brexias may be grown in the conservatory, and 

 even make pretty objects in the sab-tropical garden, if 

 a snug and shady corner be allotted them ; when young 

 they are admirable table decorators, and very useful for 

 the decoration of apartments. Brexias should be potted 

 in. a mixture of loam and peat, in the proportion of two 

 parts of the former to one of the latter, adding a little 

 sand to keep it open ; a liberal supply of water should be 

 given at all seasons. Cuttings and eyes strike quickly if 

 kept close and shaded until they are rooted, and then soon 

 become handsome young plants. 



B. chrysophylla. — A handsome plant with a slender erect 

 stem, clothed with long, somewhat narrow, yellowish green 

 leaves, which are pendent, and slightly spiny at the margin.. 

 It is a very desirable plant, well deserving general culti- 

 vation. Native of Madagascar. 



B. madagascariensis. — The present species resembles 

 ■somewhat the preceding, but the leaves are light green, 

 And nearly or quite smooth at the edges, distinct and 

 handsome. Native of Madagascar. 



B. spmosa. — ^This is the most handsome of all the species 

 yet introduced. The stem is slender ; leaves alternate, pen- 

 dent, from, t^relve to twenty inches in length and two 

 inches in breadth, tootlied with spines at the margins, 

 dark green on the upper side, slightly paler below. It 

 is a beautiful plant for the decoration of apartments, or 

 for the dinner table. Native of Madagascar. 



