272 ORNAMENTAL FOLIAGE PLANTS. 



cleaning' of the leaves -when the water again becomes settled 

 down, the trouble is amply repaid by the increased vigour 

 of the plant. It has been the practice of most people 

 who have grown this plant to use some white material 

 on the surface of the soil, so that the dark green lattice- 

 like leaves may be seen to the greatest advantage. This, 

 when one* is looking down upon the plant, shows off the 

 leaves beautifully. Such materials as broken Derbyshire 

 spas, broken oyster shells, silver sand, white China plates, 

 white glazed tiles, and various other things have been 

 used for this purpose, but we consider them all bad, 

 there being something in the manner in which the light 

 acts upon these substances, which from experience we find 

 injurious to the plants ; and if they are grown in aqua, 

 riums, and stood so as to come into the line of vision, 

 nothing of the sort will be necessary, while in no other 

 position do they display their beauties in an equal degree. 

 The only disease (if disease it may be called) to which 

 we have found the Owoiran&ras liable, is that they become 

 clothed with a green confervoid growth, which if neglected 

 speedily kills the leaves, and soon robs the whole plant 

 of its beauty, and ultimately of its life. This we have 

 found can be eradicated in a few days by tying a thick 

 cloth over the vessel in which the plant is growing, so 

 as to envelope it in perfect darkness. When uncovered 

 the soil should be renewed, and if any dead leaves are 

 upon the plant, they should be carefiilly removed. 



0. Bernieriana. — This species resembles 0. feneatralis 

 in general structure, the leaves, however, being much nar- 

 rower and longer, and the nerves much closer, so that it 

 does not present such a striking net-like appearance. The 

 flower stem in this species is divided into four spikes at 

 the apex, and the flowers are of a pale rose colour. The 



