256 



POPULAR GARDEN BOTANY. 



conceal the stem of the plant : each flower is pendulous, the 

 calyx being cylindrical, very long, of a fine rose-redT colour, 

 with the limb four-cleft ; there is no corolla, and the stamens 

 are not seen to protrude, the pistil alone being visible ; the 

 leaves are rather large, and entire, and the plant is a low, 

 straggling shrub. F. bacillaris, a Mexican plant, is quite 

 worthy of a place in the greenhouse ; its branches are of a 

 reddish colour, the flowers on very slender drooping stalks, 

 several grouped together, the calyx deep red, tube cylindrical, 

 petals deep rose-colour ; this species is readily increased by 

 cuttings, and thrives best if exposed to the outer air in 

 summer, and kept dry in winter. Besides these there are 

 cordifolia, grandiflora, splendens, fulgens, etc. etc. It is con- 

 sidered a good plan to take, in August, cuttings three inches 

 long, under a joint, with a sharp knife, taking off some of 

 the lower leaves ; to plant them in fine sandy soil, watering 

 freely, and placing the pots in a hotbed, or in a shady 

 situation, putting hand-glasses over them when the leaves 

 are dry ; this latter treatment should be continued for about 

 six weeks, when they will have struck root, and be ready 

 for potting ; these, with care during the winter, will make 

 good plants in the spring. If tall plants are wanted, the 

 shoots in the spring should be thinned out to three or four 



