140 



PAXTON'S FLOWER GARDEN. 



are that they attain a large size much sooner than species possessing harder and more 

 durable wood, but which require a longer time to give effect to grounds that immediately 

 surround new dwellings. The best course in such places is to plant a limited quantity 

 of these quick growers along with greater numbers of species that take longer to reach 

 an effective condition, thinning the former out as the latter require room. 



Nepenthes Botlesiana, var. insignis. Masters. This is apparently a variety 

 of the well-known N. Rafflesiana, more effective on account of the intensely deep-coloured 

 marking of the pitchers than the typical species, which it much resembles in form, fully 

 equalling it in size also. It is a native of Borneo, introduced by Mr. Bull, and is a 

 fine addition to these deservedly popular, and now extensively cultivated, plants. 



Leaves eighteen inches by three, oblong, and very thick in texture, leaf-stalks short (three inches), deeply 

 channelled. Pitchers remarkably handsome, nine inches in length by four in breadth ; green, heavily mottled 

 with purplish-brown spots, thickly set with small brownish stelliform hairs. In form obliquely flask-shaped, tapering 

 towards the top, wings broad, sharply toothed. Lid spreading horizontally, marked with two prominent nerves. 

 Throat of the pitchers glaucous green, mottled with purplish-brown blotches and minute spots. — Gardener's Chronicle, 

 N.S., vol. xviii., p. 425. 



Spie^a callosa. Thunherg. A handsome, hardy, deciduous shrub, with brilliant rose- 

 coloured flowers. Native of the north of China and Japan. Flowers in July and August. 

 Be- introduced by Messrs. Standish and Noble. (Fig. 180.) 



In general appearance this resembles the Nepal Spirtm beUa, but is far more ornamental on account of the brilliant 

 tint of its petals, especially when the flower-buds first begin to expand. The leaves are dark green, nearly exactly 



lanceolate, rugose, sharply serrate, tapering to both ends, but entire near the base ; they have a strong tendency to 

 become three-lobed when vigorous ; the serratures are tipped with little brown callosities. On the under side the leaves 

 are glaucous, but not hairy. The flowers are arranged in branched cymes, which usually grow in pairs from the same side 

 of the branch, the lower naked at the base, the up^ter supported by a long narrow leaf. The calyx is covered with fine 



