120 
EOTAL HOETICULTURAL SOOIETT. 
breakage from wind is quite a sufficient reason why we should 
continue to retain it. 
Xiy. On the Loranthacese of Angola. By Dr. Welwitsch. 
The singular beauty and richness of the gay-coloured flowers of 
the numerous species of Loranthus^ which enhance in so con- 
siderable a degree the variety and charm of tropical forests, is 
noticed and acknowledged by every attentive traveller in the 
torrid zone ; and the introduction by culture of these interesting 
parasites forms objects worthy of attainment by skilful and per- 
severing horticulturists. I beg therefore to off*er some brief 
observations on the occurrence and distribution of the species 
of this order in South-west tropical Africa, and to add a hint 
to encourage, and perhaps to facilitate, their future introduction 
into Europe. 
During my travels in Angola I collected about 30 species of 
Loranthus, but only one species of Viscum. The number of 
species, and also that of individuals of the same species, I found 
to increase progressively from the sea-coast towards the high- 
lands of the more distant inner regions, and to culminate in 
the mountainous forests of the districts of Pungo Andongo and 
Huilla, at an elevation of between 4000 and 5000 feet above the 
sea. 
Nearly all the species I encountered are erect, or more or less 
spreading shrubs, from 1 to 2 or 2| feet high, with the exception 
of one species, which forms a pendulous bush, with slender 
branches 4 to 6 feet long. 
Most of the species of Loranthus, and also the single species of 
Viscum met with, M^ere growing on the lower or higher or even 
on the top branches of evergreen trees, less often on trees with 
deciduous leaves ; but a few of the most brilliantly flowering 
species I encountered in the burning and treeless coast-region, 
growing at the base of small low shrubs of Barleria and Lida^ 
very much in the same manner as Cytinus Tiypocistus occurs on 
Cistus in the sandy plains of Portugal. Sometimes in the hot 
littoral region a beautiful Loranthus is met with, growing, not 
at the base, but on the middle branches, or even on the main 
stem of low slender twiggy shrubs ; and in such instances the 
natural combination of the bright green and broad-leaved 
parasite, and its gay crimson flowers, with the more tender and 
