JULT. 



0 7 



NOTES FROM KEW. 



The 1st of May has been anxiously anticipated as the clay when the new conservatory 

 here should he open to the public — nor are they disappointed ; for at one o'clock on Friday 

 the gates were open, and the long- treasured building was submitted to public scrutiny. 

 For its external claims I am content to let " wiser heads divine." But enter the building, 

 and if you can convince yourself that a gallery really exists, mount it, and then say, "What 

 do you think of the appearance ? Certainly a fine one. Not only does the finely-painted roof 

 impress you very agreeably, but you cannot help the thought — What will the plants be when 

 they get established? Surely they will be worthy the labour that has placed them in their 

 present position. I do not presume to furnish a list of the plants, but 1 may mention as being 

 in bloom, Callicoma serratifolia, Rhododendron Dalhousianum, Agapetis buxifolia, Henecio 

 Fosterii, several splendid Acacias, and in the south-end octagon a quantity of the Citrus 

 family, the perfume of which is almost overpowering. The principal plants are arranged 

 in beds divided by gravel walks, and running lengthways of the house ; but to all I say, 

 See it. 



The show greenhouse in the Botanic Garden, known as No. 10, is extremely gay with 

 Azaleas, G-eraniums, Calceolarias, Cinerarias, Aphelexis, Pimeleas, Adenandras, and an 

 almost innumerable variety of flowering and ornamental-foliaged plants, among which may 

 be mentioned especially G-leichenia flabellata, and Funkia Sieboldi variegata, a hardy 

 plant, but particularly useful for pot-culture. 



Among Ericas in No. 13 are Devoniana (a beautiful thing), candidissima, E. vestita 

 carnea, vestita rosea, and many others of great beauty ; indeed, it may be said of these, they 

 are an extensive and thriving collection. 



Mesembryantheniuins, of which there is a large collection, are not attractive at this 

 season as regards bloom. 



But the Cacti begin to offer more to look upon. There are at present in bloom Phyllocactus 

 phyllanthoides, P. crenatus; Cereus Jenkinsonii, C. Mallisonii, C. Martianus ; Mamillaria. 

 globosa, with its humble little flowers; and Agave densrflora, A. micrantha, with a plant of 

 A. americana, which seems to say, "I will very soon." The climbers here as usual promise 

 well. A small plant of Clianthus Dampieri is in capital health and blooming well. 



The stoves, of which the Palm-house must be ranked first, are attractive for the season. 

 The Palms look exceedingly well ; the beds in which they grow have been edged with 

 Selaginella, giving them a pretty and lively appearance. Walks, edged with gravel have 

 also been formed through the centre of the plants in the wings, which not only admits more 

 light to the plants, but allows them to be seen to greater advantage. There are at present two 

 flowers upon the Seaforthia, neither of which has been heard to burst the spathe. There is 

 also a drupe upon Areca Baueri, a handsome little Palm. Caryota urens is still clamouring 

 for more head-room, for which it requires frequent snubbings. Musa sapientum has been 

 fruiting well this spring. Musa ensete is looking well, and the variegated Musa vittata is 

 showing for bloom. There are plants here of Cocos nucifera, and Latania rubra, which 

 promise well. Part of the shelves have been edged with slate, and filled up with plunging 

 material, which is covered with a turf of Lycopodium. Not only do the plants do better 

 thus, but it is a decided advance towards improved appearance. 



In the small stove, No. 5, are some few good Gloxinias— for instance, Charles Baes, 

 Prince de Ligne, and Meteor, interspersed with which are some beautiful Caladiums, 

 Begonias, and a handsome little plant of Pandanus javanicus variegatus. Under the roof is 

 trained a fine specimen of Clerodendron splendens, finely in bloom. 



In No. 15 a large specimen of Bhyncospermum jasminoides delights with its abundant 

 bloom and delicious perfume. Cedium pictum, and the broad-leaved variety of Dracania 

 terminalis, are also conspicuous here ; a few Ixoras, too, are blooming well. 



In No. 19 there is a smaU plant of Musa coccinea, terminating with its pretty scarlet 

 bloom. This house is nearly all foliage ; such things as Carludovicas, Heliconias, Alpinias, 

 please with their variety. Here is also the curious Adenum obesum still in growth. 



The large house near the entrance -gates (late New- Holland-house), has been appropriated 

 to the growth of Aroidea, which are well represented. The pretty little Anthurium Scher- 

 zerianum is blooming here ; and the prevailing green of the foliage is varied by variegated 

 Caladiums, such as Wightii, Belleymei, Chantini, and bicolor splendens. 



In bloom in the Orchid-houses are Phakeonopsis grandiflora, Calanthe veratrifolia, 

 Oncidium ampliatum, 0. luridum, Lycaste Skinnerii, L. aromatica, Bletia Shepherdii, and 

 Epidendrum elougatum. 



In the aquariums both the Victorias are planted, and promising well; the largest 

 measiires upwards of 2 feet across the leaf. 



In No. 6 are two plants of the Ouviranda, which look pretty well. The shelves are gay 

 with Caladiums and other ornamental-foliaged plants. 



