86 



PAXTON'S FLOWER GARDEN. 



the one sent." The species differs in little from Bifrenaria, and is probably allied to B. inodora. The flowers 

 when expanded are about three inches in diameter. The sepals are convex, those at the side being only slightly 

 extended into a chin. The petals have a similar form, are rather inclined to turn back at the edges, and converge 

 over the column, which is quite smooth, except just at the base in front. They are a dull nankeen colour with 

 broken brown bars. The lip is much paler, with broken rose-coloured streaks, rounded at the point and turned 

 inwards at the base, so as to resemble a slipper. When flattened out it has a slightly repand rhomboidal outline ; 

 on its upper side it is hairy, and bears in the centre a conspicuous three-toothed fleshy appendage. The pollen 

 masses are in two pairs, each placed upon a short strap, which connects it with a very narrow crescent-shaped 

 gland. It is no doubt the form of this gland which has led to the opinion that the plant is a Scuticaria, the two 

 straps, which shrink up after a few days, having been overlooked. 



Berberis trifoliata. Hartweg. A 

 glaucous spiny leaves. Flowers small, 



beautiful 

 pure yellow. 



shrub, with 



variegated 



following 



Native of Mexico. (Fig. 159. 



The charming foliage of this shrub renders it one of the most valuable 

 of the species of this interesting genus. To 

 the Botanical Register, we find nothing to add ;- 



"This very rare and beautiful 

 species was found in Mexico by Mr. 

 Hartweg, near the Hacienda del 

 Espiritu Santo, on the road from 

 Zacatecas to San Luis de Potosi, an 

 immense plain, occupied chiefly by 

 Opuntias, stunted plants of Prosopis 

 dulcis, and Yuccas. It covered large 

 tracts of country ; the people called it 

 Acrito, and the fruit was much eaten by 

 children. Mr. Hartweg did not see it 

 in flower. Its sessile, ternate, holly-like 

 leaflets, beautifully marbled with pale 

 blue and dull green, are entirely different 

 from anything among the pinnated 

 Berberries hitherto discovered ; and, 

 it may be added, 

 are very much 

 more handsome. 

 In the garden of 

 the Horticultural 

 Society, where the 

 annexed figure 

 was made, it forms 

 a dwarf spreading 

 evergreen - shrub; 

 . growing freely : in 

 a rich sandy loam, 



and rather dry situation. It may be increased in various ways— by layering, by cuttings, or by seeds, but grafting 

 is the most certain and safest way ; the grafting may be performed in the ordinary way, in March or April, and 

 the best stock for working it upon is Berberis aquifolium. When grafted it should be placed in a cold pit or 

 frame, kept close and rather damp. It flowers freely in April and May. " 



Zamia obliqua. A. Br aim. Cycads were at one time looked upon as only fit furniture 

 for Botanical Gardens, where, generally, the necessity for stowing the greatest possible 

 number of plants into the inadequate room at command precluded the possibility of their 

 being grown in a way to exhibit their true character. But now their merits are beginning 

 to be better understood and appreciated, for the decoration of greenhouses and conservatories 



