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THE BOOK OF GARDENING. 



is surmounted by a noble crown of erect leaves with lanceo- 

 late pinnae often 6in. long. E. villosus is an ornamental plant, 

 having a rather stout stem clothed with woolly scales, and 

 densely tomentose petioles ; the leaves are 2ft. to 4ft. long, and 

 have a quantity of spiny, toothed pinnse. Amongst other cultivated 

 species may be mentioned E. Sedmanni^ E. M''Kenii^ E. plumosus^ 

 and E. Verschaffelti. 



Macrozamia. — This genus is restricted to temperate and 

 tropical Australia. The following cultivated species thrive 

 successfully in a greenhouse during the summer, but require 

 stove treatment during the winter. Macrozamias are very similar 

 to Cycas, with the exception of the pinnae, which are destitute of 

 midrib, and are marked with parallel veins. A compost of two 

 parts sandy loam and one part peat answers very well. Propa- 

 gated by seeds only. M, Eraseri, one of the most distinct species 

 of the genus, is highly decorative, producing a very stout trunk, 

 w^ith pendulous and pinnate leaves often reaching 8ft. in length ; 

 the pinnae are linear, somewhat swoollen at the base, very deep 

 green on the upper surface, and of a lighter shade beneath. 

 M. Mackenzii is another handsome plant, with leaves ovate in out- 

 line, producing a quantity of pairs of narrow deep green segments. 

 The petioles are partly covered at their base with loose floccose 

 wool. M. Perowskiana {Af. Denisonii and M. Macleayi) gives 

 promise of being a tall kind, but is extremely slow in growth ; in 

 strong specimens the trunk is slender, but in young plants it is 

 rather stout and short, and the dark green leaves form a most 

 charming crown. M. plumosa is a very distinct and elegant 

 plant, which ought to be more largely grown. The small ovate 

 stem is covered with woolly scales ; the petioles are flattened, 

 and the twisted leaves are clothed with numerous narrow leaflets. 

 M. spiralis^ a beautiful and decorative variety, chiefly in its young 

 state, produces pinnate leaves, ift. to 3ft. long, with linear pinnae 

 of a bright shiny green, but whitish at base. The forms 

 M. corallipes and M. cylindracea do not seem to be distinct 

 from this. Amongst other cultivated species, M. Miquelli and 

 M. Hopei may be mentioned. 



Stangeria. — A monotypic African genus, represented by a 

 most beautiful stove-plant, bearing a great resemblance to some 

 Ferns. It requires a compost of equal parts peat and loam 

 with a small addition of sand, as well as good drainage. 

 Water must be applied abundantly during the growing period. 

 S. paradoxa possesses a subterraneous cylindrical stem, which very 

 seldom exceeds ift. long. The petioles are covered at their base 

 by a woolly matter, and support some splendid pinnate leaves, 

 with oblong, lanceolate pinnae. Two sub-varieties are also found 

 in cultivation under the names of Kaizeri and schizodon, but 

 they differ very slightly from the type. 



