46 



HIBISCUS SPLENDENS. 



producing a succession of its large and showy blossoms during several weeks. 

 Although this species is by no means unfrequent in collections, it is rarely seen in 

 flower. We are, indeed, disposed to think that the temperature in which it is 

 usually placed is much too high, and far beyond what is required by New Holland 

 plants. This opinion is corroborated by a communication with which we have 

 been favoured by Mr. Osborn, who states that his plant was placed at the west 

 end of a moderately warm stove, or what may more properly be called a warm 

 green-house, where it was completely screened from the hot summer's sun. Mr. 

 Osborn also finds that his Chinese species are preserved in a much more healthy 

 state by a more free exposure to the air, than when kept constantly in a hot-house. 

 It may be increased by cuttings of the young wood placed in a moist hot-bed, or 

 in a warm part of the stove. The soil should be loam with a little peat. 



The name of this genus is of Greek origin, and was given at an early period to 

 one of the mallow tribe. It contains a great number of species, most of which are 

 very showy plants ; the flowers of some of them are indeed eminently beautiful, 

 and are consequently favourite objects of culture. 



They have been very conveniently divided by De Candolle into sections, 

 according to certain diversities of structure, among which the divisions, Sec, of the 

 involucellum or outer calyx, form an important feature. H. splendens is placed 

 in the 6th section (abelmoschus), containing upwards of fifty species, in which the 

 involucellum has from eight to fifteen segments. 



