FLORICULTURAL NOTICES. 
91 
Geonoma Schottiana, another elegant palm, of somewhat slender growth ; the stem marked 
with nodular rings, icdicating the places where leaves have fallen away, and adorned on the top 
with gracefully-curved fronds, has also developed large pendulous panicled clusters of small 
round greenish fruit. The seeds of this kind have been frequently matured in the Hackney 
Palm-house ; and specimens now exist there which were reared from some that ripened a few 
years ago. Besides these, there is a small plant, about four or five feet high, of the (Enocdrpus 
excelsa, a kind approximating to the last in habit, with a few panicles of florescence. In its 
native localities, in South America, this species shoots up to an immense height. Its generic 
name is acquired from the vinous qualities of the fruit. 
Among the more lofty species, there is a noble specimen of the rare Areca montana (one of 
the Cabbage Palms), which, from around its stem immediately beneath the plumy crown of 
foliage, has emitted several branched flower-spikes. This plant is a most graceful production 
and one of the finest of the collection, being nearly forty feet high. We understand it has been 
fruited in England \ but so far, none have set on the specimen under notice. 
We abstain from particularising any farther, and pass on to another interesting feature, 
involving something of a cultural nature. We refer to the numerous Orchidacece which have 
been fastened on the stems of some of the stouter Palms, and stuck in the projections which the 
remains of the old leaves furnish. The kinds principally employed are Oncidiums and Lselias, 
part of an importation received last summer. A few have been treated thus for a longer period. 
They look perfectly healthy, but as yet, the plan has not been sufficiently tested to show how far 
it may affect the production of flowers. A few of the commoner kinds have been similarly fixed 
on some of the trees of the jungle in the large conservatory at Chats worth. 
As it is now a matter of experience that many orchidaceous plants thrive better in a cooler 
atmosphere than that to which they were formerly subjected, there is at least the likelihood of 
obtaining a moderate share of success ; and if such plants as Oncidium altissimum and Lcelia 
anceps will thrust out their long flower-stalks when placed on the trunks of Palms, their charac- 
teristic situation will atone in some measure for a slight deficiency of individual excellence. 
In a Palm-house or stove-conservatory, sufficiently well-glazed to be waterproof, a pleasing 
effect might be created in the latter part of summer, and through the autumn, by removing there 
a few of the least delicate species brought into flower in the orchidaceous house, and suspending 
them from the leaf-stalks of the Palms, or the boughs of other trees. The overhanging foliage 
would form a natural shade, and the more airy situation would help to prolong the duration of 
the blossoms. It would scarcely be prudent to attempt the plan in spring, as the moist atmo- 
sphere and syringing then required would soon spoil the flowers. Possibly some of those 
orchidacese from more elevated regions may be wintered in the position here described. 
FLORICULTURAL NOTICES. 
NEW OR BEAUTIFUL PLANTS FIGURED IN THE LEADING BOTANICAL PERIODICALS FOR 
MARCH AND APRIL. 
Blandfo'rdia margina^ta. Till lately, the only two species generally recognised as belonging 
to this fine New Holland genus were B. nobilis and B. grandiflora. About two or three years 
ago, the present appeared in the nursery of Messrs. Osborne and Co., of Fulham, and was called 
B. marginata by the Dean of Manchester. It is much handsomer than B. grandiflora, and 
differs from it, in having deep copper-coloured flowers, instead of half red and half yellow ones. 
The blossoms, too, form a nearly regular cone, whilst those of the other are contracted near the 
base, and swollen in the upper part. It is abundant in Van Diemen's Land, and seems to be the 
Aletris punicea of Labillardiere. Mr. Gunn found it plentifully in a poor quartz sand, generally 
in rather wet places, on Rocky Cape, in 1837. That botanist proposed to name it in commemo- 
ration of Mr. Backhouse, who was well versed in the Tasmanian Flora ; but the present name 
having been published, another species sent home by Mr. Gunn, from the banks of the river 
Mersey, about fifty miles from Launceston, has been called B. Backhousii. It is a plant with 
