23J. OKNAMBNTAL FOLIAGE PLANTS. 



tinged with, red ; this, however, it loses as it acquires age» 

 The leaves are palmate, plaited, from two to four feet or 

 more from point of attachment to the margfin, split down 

 about one-third their leng^ into broad segments ; colonir 

 bright green, with a somewhat glaucous hue. A splendid 

 plant for the sub-tropical garden ; it is sometimes known 

 by the name of L. Loddigesii. Native of one of the depen- 

 dencies of the Mauritius. 



L. ritSra.— Undoubtedly the finest species of this genus. 

 The petioles are erect, spreading, from two to four feet 

 in length, quite smooth, and deep crimson, slightly glaucous 

 at base. The leaves are palmate, plaited, measuring from 

 two to three feet from the point of attachment to the 

 margin, where they are split into segments for about half 

 their length ; colour rich shining bronzy green, changing 

 with age to dark green. Native of the Mauritius. 



Leucadendeon. 

 A Proteaceous genus, which we have introduced here in 

 order to draw particular attention to one species, the Silver 

 Tree of the Cape of Good Hope. This beautiful plant, 

 although introduced so long ago as the year 1693, is rarely 

 to be found in cultivation, but it is never seen without 

 eliciting the praise of all for its extreme beauty. We hav& 

 never seen it very large, although in its native localities it 

 attains a height of fifteen or twenty feet, in which state it. 

 probably is not so handsome as when younger. The soil 

 should be peat and loam, about two parts of the latter ta 

 one of the former, to which add a little sand and a few 

 lumps of sandstone ; the drainage must be careftiUy at- 

 tended to, as stagnant water about the roots is certain to- 

 kill the plant. In watering, never allow the water to lie- 

 in the heart of the plant, as it is apt to rot the crown, and 



