67 
is almost identical with that of M. cdtile. 
Some years ago I brought a scarlet- 
flowered Mesembryanthemum from the 
Cape and gave cuttings to the then head- 
gardener at Abbotsbury Castle. On 
visiting these gardens a year later I found 
it in bloom, and it was pointed out to 
me as being identical with the plant 
grown there under the name of M. 
amcenuin^ which, by the way, did not 
bear the slightest resemblance to the 
M. amoanum described in horticultural 
dictionaries. M. tenuifo/ii^m is another 
The Hottentot Fig {Mcscmbryantliomiin cdule). Engra', 
Flora'" from a p/iofogmp/i hv S. ]]'. Fitzhcrbcrf. 
very brilliant scarlet, if possible brighter 
than the last, a large plant in full bloom 
in the sunshine at Abbotsbury being so j 
vivid that it was difficult to keep the 
eyes fixed upon it. Both these kinds 
grow and flower at Kingswear, as do 
M. aii7~antiacicfn with deep orange flow- 
ers, on plants of which a solitary blossom 
or two is generally to be found any | 
month in the winter, and species grown 
under the names of M. caulescens^ deep 
red ; M. aicreu7n^ yellow ; M. lepidiun^ j 
white ; M. curvifolium^ flesh ; M. i7i- 
claudenSj rose ; M. li?ieo latum ^ pink ; , 
Af./>ro^/^r///;«, rosy- purple; M.J^oseum^ \ 
bright rose ; M, rostratujn^ yellow; and 
M. //^r/>///;//, chiefly remarkable for the 
flercely-spined leaves that suggest a 
tiger's open jaws. 
Mesembryanthemums are not every- 
body's flowers, for there are few spots 
in the British Isles where they succeed 
permanently in the open. Warmth, a 
porous soil, and nearness to the sea, 
seem to be necessary to their successful 
culture. The best collection known to 
me is that at Tresco Abbey, Isles of 
Scilly, where 120 species were grown 
a few years ago. Here peat 
and disintegrated granite form 
a porous soil and the little 
islands are surrounded by the 
sea. At Abbotsbury Castle, 
Dorsetshire, there is another 
fine collection. The rock-gar- 
den here is situated just above 
the Chesil Beach and in westerly 
gales the flying spindrift must 
freely sprinkle the plants, but 
they are plainly well satisfied 
with their surroundings. In 
the south-west, on the coast, old plants 
are rarely killed during the winter, but 
cuttings are usually taken to replace any 
old and woody specimens that may dis- 
appear through failing vigour. Inland, 
even only half a mile from the sea, the 
plants rarely live through the winter, 
especially if in heavy soil. 
S. W. FITZHERBERT. 
Flower Names. — It irritates me to see mascu- 
line names given to flowers. Why in catalogues 
should graceful flowers figure so often under 
the names of soldiers — famous, and brave 
enough, it may be, but rough ; or of savants, 
whose names bristle with consonants ? Ought 
not every Rose to bear a feminine name ? — 
Alphonse Karr. 
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