158 Account of the Melidora Pellucida. 



this shrub will be found quite hardy enough to grow in the 

 open air, especially in the southern parts of the island, or if 

 planted against a wall, and protected with a mat during frost. 

 This opinion is strengthened by the structure of its buds, 

 which are very large, scaly, and viscid, like those of the Rho- 

 dodendra ; and the branches push forth with such rapidity, 

 that the wood soon ripens. At all events, it is a hardy shrub, 

 under a frame or a green-house, and exceedingly ornamental 

 the whole year ; for it is not only a lively evergreen, but the 

 young shoots and footstalks of the leaves are tinged of a 

 fine red colour, resembling at first sight the Illicium Florida- 

 num, more than any other shrub I know. Whilst the buds 

 are bursting, the flowers hang down among the bractes in 

 bunches five or six together, somewhat resembling those of 

 Andromeda Pulverulenta, but larger, and with five brilliant 

 ruby-coloured lobes at the bottom, which lobes being filled 

 with honey, and transparent, produce an effect, when the sun 

 shines, that I have rarely seen equalled. 



All yet known respecting the cultivation of this shrub is, 

 that it may be easily increased by cuttings ; and by the deep 

 verdure and uncommonly healthy appearance of all the young 

 plants, which are planted in a mixture of fresh turf from a 

 common, and bog earth, there can be no doubt that this 

 mixture suits it. The fibres of its roots being also rather 

 succulent, it is very probable that it grows naturally in a 

 moist soil, and that it should never be kept very dry. 



When the plant is older, and flowers more abundantly, I 

 have no doubt, that seed of it may likewise be obtained : for 

 the stigma is large, and full of a glutinous liquid, as in many 

 other plants of the natural order of Rhododendra ; but 



