Account of the Melidora Pellucida 157 



which contained the fruits, was written, " Originaire de Can- 

 ton" But though they were full of apparently perfect seeds, 

 these did not vegetate, being five years old, if not more. 



This species, or perhaps another of the same genus, 

 which is cultivated at Canton, has been called Enlcianthus 

 by Loureiro, but as his name originated in a miscon- 

 ception, signifying Gravid flower (he having taken the red 

 bractes for outer flowers), Noronha's excellent name will 

 probably be adopted. It means Honey gift, which substance 

 the flowers contain in great plenty ; and as the same degree 

 of vernal warmth which enlivens our bees, will probably 

 bring out its blossoms, it may prove to us, in some degree, 

 an useful, as well as ornamental, shrub.* 



The Honourable Robert Jenkinson first introduced 

 living plants of it into this country about four years ago, 

 from Canton ; all which, at the sale of his collection, were 

 purchased by our worthy member Mr. Joseph Knight, of 

 Little Chelsea, where it flowered for the first time, on the 

 10th of March last. 



The plant which flowered is between two and three feet 

 high, and has been preserved through the late long and 

 severe winter, with very little artificial heat, upon an old 

 bark-bed of a small hot-house ; and I saw another, and 

 younger plant, in a more elevated and colder part of the 

 same house, the earth of which had been frozen so hard 

 during the night, that it was not quite thawed at 10 A. M. 

 when I was there. Yet it was not at all injured, and I believe, 



* Since this paper was read to the Horticultural Society, Dr. Sims, in the 

 Botanical Magazine, has given a figure of this shrub, calling it Enkianihus Quin- 

 queflora. 



