DA R WIN/A —DA SYLIRION—DION^A . 



'77 



moss and sand, surfacing over with short green tips of sphagnum. On this damp 

 moss sow the seed, stand the pots in pans of water, cover each with a bell-glass, and 

 place in a cool shady corner in a greenhouse. If the pans arc kept filled with water 

 the moss will be constantly moist, and the seed ought to germinate in six weeks. Prick 

 off the seedlings in pans filled with a compost similar to. that used in the seed pans ; 

 strong plants may also be increased by division, Darlingtonias are best grown under a 

 hand-light or in a glazed case in a shady position in the greenhouse. Give abundance 

 of water and ventilate daily. For strong plants use a mixture of equal parts of peat, 

 chopped sphagnum, sharp sand, and small pieces of limestone. 



darwinia. — For all practical purposes this genus of hard-wooded, Australian 

 plants might well be included with the genetyllis or hedaromas. The species some- 

 times classed as darwinias are D. fimbriata (syn. Genetyllis fimbriata), D. fuchsiodes 

 (syn. Genetyllis fuchsioides), D. macrostogia (syn. Hedaroma or Genetyllis tulipefera) 

 and D. purpurea (syn. Genetyllis purpurea). Propagated by cuttings of young shoots 

 under boll-glass in greenhouse. Pot off singly into thumb-pots, and grow on greenhouse 

 shelf. Top to make them bushy. Gradually shift into larger pots, using a mixture of 

 equal parts of loam, peat and sand. Other treatment similar to Ericas. 



dasyurion. — For exhibition purposes the dasylirion ranks high, and is also well 

 adapted for conservatory adornment. They are greenhouse evergreens, with a short 

 stout stem, and a mass of long semi-erect leaves which assume a graceful form, and are 

 very durable. The species in cultivation are D. acrotrichum, D. glaucophyllum, D. g. 

 latifolium, D. longifolium, and D. serratifolium. They aro raised from seeds sown in 

 March or April, in well-drained pots filled with sandy peat and covered with glass, in a 

 temperature of 50° to G0°. From small pots gradually shift the plants into larger sizes, 

 using a compost of two parts loam to one of peat, with sharp sand added. Drain 

 thoroughly and pot firmly. When the soil is well occupied by roots, abundance of 

 water must be sujyplied, especially during the hottest part of the year. They may be 

 arranged in the open during the summer, and should be wintered in a temperature 

 ranging from 45° to 55°. 



DiQNiEA. — D. muscipula, Venus' Fly-trap, is a native of Carolina and Florida, and is 

 a diminutive as well as most interesting "carnivorous" plant. The leaves, borne on 

 comparatively long footstalks, " are dilated at the top into two, or a two-lobed irritable 

 limb, beset with a row of long hairs on the margin, folding together in the manner 

 of the teeth of a trap." The seat of irritation resides in the bristles in the centre 



VOL. II. A A 



