166 HOT-HOUSE — OF REPOTTING, ETC. [May, 



moisture. The other species goes under the name of oppo- 

 sitifdliaj but we question if it is not only a variety, for 

 it has every character of the one just described. (Soil 

 No. 11.) 



Malpighia (Barbadoes-cherry), about eighteen species, 

 all beautiful evergreen trees or shrubs. They are easily 

 distinguished by having bristles on the underside of the 

 leaves. These bristles are fixed by the centre, so that 

 either end of it will sting. We are not aware of any other 

 plant being defended in this manner. M. urens has oblong, 

 ovate leaves, with decumbent stiff bristles ; flowers pink. 

 31. aqui folia has lanceolate, stiff, spiny leaves, and we think 

 the most beautiful foliage of the genus. M. fucdta has 

 elliptical shining leaves, with lilac flowers. M. glabra^ 

 leaves ovate, entire, smooth; flowers purple. They all have 

 five rounded clawed petals. The last species is cultivated 

 in the West Indies for its fruit. The pots must be well 

 drained. (Soil No. 17.) 



Merica, a genus of hot-house plants, closely allied to Iris, 

 between which there is no distinction in the leaves. The 

 flowers of M, coeridea are beautifully spotted with light and 

 dark blue, the scape many-flowered. M. Sabini has flowers 

 similar, but not so dark in color. M. NortJiidna has 

 splendid white and brown-spotted flowers, spathe two- 

 flowered. These plants, when growing, require a liberal 

 supply of water, and should be greatly encouraged by fre- 

 quent potting, to flower well. (Soil No. 12.) 



Meldstoma was once an extensive genus, on which the 

 natural order Melastomacem is founded ; but is now much 

 divided into other genera contained in the natural tribe 

 Mlcomese. There are about thirteen species remaining in 

 the genus. They now display great unity of character, and 

 many of them may be considered very ornamental. The 

 finest are 31. lieteromdlla, bluish purple, and an abundant 

 bloomer ; 31. malahdflirica, rose-colored ; 31. sanguinea, 

 lilac; if. splendensj large violet; and 31. aspera, rose. 

 There is a plant in several of our collections known as 3f. 

 purjJUrea and 31. tetrogdna, which is Ossd&a purpurascens ; 

 leaves ovate, lanceolate, acuminate, five-nerved, pilose ; the 

 footstalk and nerves underside of the leaf covered with 

 brown hairs; stem four-sided; flowers purple. All the 



