PLANTS AND FERNS FOUND ABOUT PETROPOLIS. 



525 



NOTES ON SOME PLANTS AND FERNS FOUND ABOUT 

 PETROPOLIS (S. BRAZIL), FEBRUARY AND MARCH, 1899. 



By A. Woesley. 



Leaving England towards the end of January 1899, and travelling via 

 Paris and Lisbon, I reached Petropolis in February, and remained there 

 long enough to fairly explore the surrounding country within a radius of 

 eight to ten miles. 



Words cannot describe the astonishing beauty of the scenery, which 

 perhaps has no rival in the world. 



Such short journeys as I made can be carried out in reasonable 

 comfort, and the accommodation for travellers is passable. 



The main object of my visit to Petropolis was to see Hippeastrum 

 procerum " at home," and to gather some of the aldermanic bulbs. 

 Thanks to the kindness of Monsieur P. M. Binot, of Petropolis, who 

 personally conducted me to the mountains where this plant grows, I was 

 successful in this quest. 



The bulbs then gathered have ever since been a source of pleasure, 

 and flower with tolerable regularity in their new home at Isleworth. 



It was a great disappointment to leave without seeing the Botanic 

 Gardens at Botafogo, with their matchless avenue of Palms. I had 

 postponed my visit to them on account of a spell of distressingly hot 

 weather which prevailed, the temperature being many degrees above the 

 normal for the time of year. In addition to this an epidemic of yellow 

 fever raged in Botafogo, which did not add zest to the idea of a visit. 

 Ultimately some of the party decided to return to England earlier than 

 had been arranged, so I missed seeing the famous gardens. 



I would note that 2,500 feet is about the frost limit. Above 3,000 feet 

 sharp ground frosts occur occasionally in July, and on the summits of the 

 mountains air frosts. I noted a complete absence of Crinums in a wild 

 state about Petropolis. However, on the margins of the Bay of Rio 

 Janeiro, I saw several" species, of which I was unable to obtain specimens. 



Most of our common garden flowers are cultivated in the gardens of 

 Petropolis, which indeed bear a studied resemblance to our own suburban 

 gardens as far as the flower-beds are concerned. Of course the permanent 

 plants, trees, and palms give quite a. tropical and distinctive appearance 

 to these Brazilian gardens, though the absence of any good lawns detracts 

 much from their beauty. Yet I cannot see any reason why good lawn- 

 grasses should not be introduced, as the climate seems very suitable for 

 them, with abundant summer rainfall. Mowing machines do not seem to 

 be much used in Petropolis, owing doubtless to the practical absence of 

 lawns of any size. In fact I never saw one in use while I was there, but, 

 with a supreme contempt for the enemy, the gardeners could be observed 

 creeping over the grass armed with tailor's scissors, or with antique 

 sickles. 



Among the host of beautiful palms, Cocos Weddelliana was much 



