204 THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST. [Nov'h 



sgesttf*" - ; -s^ 



(^J Flowers in large, beautiful, pendulous, scarlet, axcillary racemes; — ^ 

 Sg petals; the lateral ones, reddish, and the hinder ones, spotted withV/ 

 y yellow round eyes on the apex ;—-Pod, coriaceous, red. 1 



| It is still the only type of its <jenus, and may be grouped with the 



genera Jonesia Humboldtia, Afzdia, Anthonota, Palovea, Eperua, 

 Parivoa, Macrolobium, &c, of the same nat. order and group Ccesal- 

 vmim. 



In its general appearance and foliage it recals to our minds the 

 Brownea of 8. America, a plant, also lately introduced here, produ- 

 cing beautiful heads of bright scarlet flowers, suggesting: to the super- 

 ficial observer, a connection with the Rose-family. W ith which or- 

 der, Botanically, Leguminous plants are closely connected. Two 

 species of Brownea B. Coccinea and grandiceps are now to be found 

 in the City Conservatories of Philadelphia ; and this new acquisition 

 mak*->s up three individuals of this natural family. 



The.name Amherstia was adopted by Wallich in honor of the Countess 

 of Amherst and her daughter, Lady Sarah Amherst, both zealous and 

 accomplished promotors of Botanical Science in the East Indies. 



Dr. J. £. Planchon, says in his description of the plant in Van 

 Houttes l Flore des Serres,' from which some of the foregoing details 

 are translated. 



"Its whole history is in unison with the grandeur and beauty of its 

 attractions. Its flowers adorn the altars of the God of the Birmans. 

 Its name recals the graces united with science. Its discovery, intro- 

 duction, and publication, are due to the generous patronage exercised 

 over Botanical Science by the Hon. E. I. Company.-— In conclusion, 

 its (lowering at Ealing Park, constituted one of the greatest triumphs 

 which Horticulture has for some years inscribed on her annals." 



CULTIVATION. 



Mr. Smith, states that it is of great importance to protect its leaves 

 against the direct rays of the sun ; as the membranaceous texture 

 of these ©rgans, renders them very sensible to the effect produced by 

 sudden evaporation. The defects observable in this respect, are caused 

 perhaps, by too dry an atmosphere, or by the insufficient quantity of 

 liquid absobed by the roots. It appears that the greatest care has not 

 been sufficient to protect the edges and top of the leaves from being 

 burned and scorched ; thus imparting an unhealthy appearance to the 

 tree. But this is an evil from which Brownea and several other 

 plants, furnished with leaves of a similar texture, often suffer. The 

 specimens of Amherstia in the Bot. Garden, at Calcutta do not even 

 escape this defect. A perfect drainage, and soil permeable to fluid, 

 are indispensible condition to its successful cultivation. It may be 

 propagated by cuttings placed in a hot-bed without a bell-glass. It is 

 not likely the plant will produce seeds in our houses. Tuans. from 

 V. Houtte's "Flore des Serres," Should the plants suuceed here so 

 as to flower, we are disposed to believe that it would ripen its seeds 

 in our climate. — Ed. 



MICROSPERMA (EuCnida) BARTONIOIDES. 



Nothing can be more humiliating to American Botanists, who are 

 t anxious for the promotion of the science on this great continent than 

 \ the fact that the novelties discovered here are received second hand 

 yo from European Nursery and Seedsmen, and presented to their notice ^ x 

 (2 beautifully figured in European periodicals. Or perhaps, like trueG 



M 09V _____^G& 



