308 OKNAIIENTAL FOLIAGE PLANTS. 



acuminate dark green leaves, having four irregular bands 

 of silvery grey extending from the base to the apex. It is 

 a very ornamental plant. Native of Para. 



S. macrophjlla vwiegata. — A scandent plant with a 

 rough prickly stem, producing large ovate-acuminate 

 leaves, which are dark green, and irregnlarly blotched 

 upon the upper surface with silvery grey. It forms a 

 handsome specimen when trained upon a balloon trellis, 

 or upon a rafter or pillar in the stove. It is a native of 

 Tropical America. 



SOLAHUM. 



As a genus this is well known, on account of the Potato 

 being the produce of one species, 8. tuberosmn. It is ^ 

 very large genus, and, as is frequently the case, it contains 

 many kinds which have no striking characters to recom- 

 mend them as garden decorators. On the other hand, 

 however, many are exceedingly ornamental, and form fine 

 additions to the gardens in the open air during the 

 summer months. Solanunis delight in rich soil, and there- 

 fore should be potted in loam, leaf mould, and well- 

 decomposed manure, in equal parts, adding a little sand to 

 the whole, to keep it open. They are best grown from 

 seeds every year, to effect which these should be sown in a 

 gentle heat about March, when, if properly attended to, 

 they will be ready fot- planting in the open air about the 

 end of May, 



8. amazonium. — This very handsome species attains a 

 height of about two feet, and is an undoubted acquisition: 

 for out-door gardening during the summer months. The 

 leaves are dark green, somewhat ferrugineous, and quit& 

 destitute of spines ; it also produces in great profusion 

 flowers of rich dark purple. A native of Mexico. 



