GLEANINGS AND ORIGINAL MEMORANDA. 



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Clematis coccinea. Amongst the finest hardy climbing plants we possess are the 

 different well-known species and varieties of Clematis, alike remarkable for the size and 

 profusion of their flowers, which range in colour from pure white, through the different 

 shades of pale lilac, to the deepest purple. Yet, in all that have been hitherto known, 

 there has been an absence of the brighter hues found in many genera of plants ; but 

 the species under notice is an exception, being bright red over the. whole outer surface 

 of the flowers. It has been introduced from Texas, and there is every likelihood of its 

 proving hardy, in which case it will be a valuable addition to our out-door plants. Sir 

 J. D. Hooker thus speaks of it in the Botanical Magazine for December, 1881 : — 



C. coccinea is a native of Texas, and was received in 1880 at the Royal Gardens, from the rich gardens of 

 Max Leichtlin at Baden, and flowered in a cool conservatory in June of the present year. It, however, appears 

 to be perfectly hardy, and a plant of it has been placed against a south-east wall, where it has, up to this time, 

 grown freely. 



Masdevallia Winniana. There seems to be really no end to the singularity of 

 form the curious genus Masdevallia assumes; and in colour also it is equally varied, 

 from the pure white M. tovarensis, to the intense red, purple, and magenta of some of the 

 larger-growing kinds. The fact of their being generally so easy to cultivate, the length of 

 time they last in bloom, together with the plants bearing division for increase into much 

 smaller pieces than most Orchids will, and their thriving in a cool house, all tend to 

 popularise them with cultivators. They require to be kept always moist at the root, and 

 succeed in a temperature little above that of an ordinary greenhouse. The species under 

 notice was first flowered by Mr. Winn, of Uplands, Birmingham, who is an enthusiastic 

 admirer of these beautiful plants, and has one of the best and most varied collections 

 in the country. The plant was named by Professor Reichenbach, in compliment to Mr. 

 Winn. 



Much in the way of M. Roezlii, but the flower is much larger ; the sepals taper much more gradually into 

 the tail • the colour is lighter ; and the peduncle is erect, whilst M. Roezlii sends its flowers down through the basket 

 in which it grows. — Gardener's Chronicle, N.S., vol. xvi., p. 198. 



Vms (Cissus) steiata. This is a climbing evergreen species found in the cool dis- 

 tricts of Brazil and Uruguay, said to be quite hardy in this country. If it really turns 

 out to be so, it is likely to be an acceptable addition to our climbing plants that can 

 be used in the many ways that Ivy is useful. It is described as one of the most 

 beautiful climbers growing in the woods of Uruguay, covering the bushes with its red 

 berries in winter. 



Stems and tendrils glabrous. Leaves rather thick, dark green, evergreen, digitate ; leaflets sessile, oblanceolate, 



