283 



P. antiquornm correctly Cyperus Papyrus, is the ancient Paper 

 Reed or Rush. The stems are dark green, triangular and jointless, 

 supporting at the top an umbel of pendent leaves, which are exceed- 

 ingly graceful. " The pith-like tissues of the larger flowering stems 

 cut into thin strips, united together by narrow overlapping margins, 

 and then crossed under pressure, by a similar arrangement of strips 

 at right angles, constituted the Papyrus of antiquity " (Oliver). 



The plant is of easy culture and is best treated as an aquatic. It 

 requires a good rich soil and delights in almost full sunshine. Pro- 

 pagation by seed when obtainable, and by division of rhizomes. 

 Height 10 feet. Native of Asia Minor, etc. 



Eichoifiia, N.O. Pontederiacece ;~K genus of interesting, beautiful 

 and useful Aquatics, natives of South America and Tropical Africa. 



Propagation by division of rhixomes. Plant in partial shade and 

 remove all decaying leaves as soon as they appear, otherwise cul- 

 turally they require no further remarks. 



E. crassipes (thick stalked). A very ornamental aquatic with 

 handsome violet coloured flowers which, when massed in clumps and 

 flowering freely, gives a particularly pleasing effect. 



Leaves large and fleshy, more so towards the base. This plant 

 also finds favour with the Chinese in the feeding of Swine. 

 Syn. Poiitederia azurea. 



Hydrocleis, N.O. Alismacece : — A small genus of Aquatics of great 

 beauty. Natives of tropical Southern America. Flowers solitary, 

 large, hermaphrodite, on long, thick peduncles. Leaves fascicled, 

 floating, ovate, with thick petioles. They are of easy culture and can 

 be readily increased by seed or runners. 



H. Commerso7iii, Rich: — ^A native of Brazil is a pretty and valuable 

 acquisition to our list of Aquatics, well deserving the name of " Water 

 Poppy." Leaves small, ovate, 2^ inches long and 2 inches broad, 

 dark green in colour, floating on the surface of the water, coriaceous. 



Flowers erect, cup-shaped, pale yellow with a dark centre. The 

 plant is very floriferous though the indivfdual flowers last but a short 

 time. 



The plant requires a good strong loamy soil and may be grown 

 in tubs in which the loam is covered with water. In the Gardens we 

 find it thrives exceedingly well when thus treated and kept in the 

 shade, but fails altogether when transferred to a similar position in 

 the Lake, the leaves becoming smaller and smaller until the plant dis- 

 appears altogether. 



It benefits greatly by occasional mulchings of cowmanure. 

 Propagation by seed and division. Syn. Vespuccia Hum boldtii and 

 Limnocharis Humboldtii. 



