FLORICULTURAL NOTICES. 
139 
never before had a true conception of its real magnificence. Planted in a group of 
six or eight yards in breadth, on an ample lawn, we should think it would be 
transcendently rich. 
A few species of Spircea^ and S. aricpfolia in particular, would make exceed- 
ingly striking masses on a lawn. Cydonia japonica and its pale-Howered variety 
might likewise be effective, although they hardly send enough of their flowers to 
the surface to adapt them for groups, without a good deal of pruning. 
Many more shrubs of an ornamental character, and easily procured, might here 
be pointed out as appropriate for the end under notice. But we have indicated a 
sufficient number to serve as an explanation of our object, and as a guide to the 
rest. The main idea that we have sought to enforce is, that the tameness of lawns 
in general, and the want of occasional bursts of splendour among the groups 
scattered over them, may be met by introducing masses — more or less ample, 
according to the natural size of the plants, and the extent of the place — of one 
species of ornamental shrub, or several varieties of the same or similar species. A 
brilliancy and impressiveness, superior to anything attainable by other means, 
would thus be imparted. 
FLORICULTURAL NOTICES. 
NEW OR BEAUTIFUL PLANTS FIGURED IN THE LEADING BOTANICAL PERIODICALS. 
Barke'ria specta'bilis. *' For the opportunity of figuring this lovely plant, I am indebted," 
says Sir W. Hooker, " to the kindness of Mrs, Wray, of Cheltenham, in whose collection, and that 
of the Horticultural Society, at Chiswick, it has been, as far as I am aware, alone known to produce 
its lovely and most delicate blossoms ; * the secret,' as Mr. Bateman observes * of its success with 
Mrs. Wray being, obviously, the comparatively moderate temperature maintained in her stove, and 
which appears to be exactly adapted to the Orchidacese of the more elevated districts of Guatemala.' 
Baskets filled with moss, or blocks of wood, are found to be most congenial to the roots of 
Barkeria ; ' in peat,' continues Mr. Bateman, ' they perish directly. It is a handsome plant, with 
stem-like pseudo-bulbs, four or six inches high, and bearing on the upper part two or three 
alternate dark green leaves of a strong leathery texture,' Eight or nine flowers, with spreading 
sepals and petals of a delicate lilac hue, slightly marked with dai'ker spots, and a large undu- 
lated yellowish lip, spotted and tipped with purple, and bearing three parallel elevated plates 
gradually falling away towards the extremity, are produced on a terminal peduncle having at 
its base a long brown terminal scale. When several of these peduncles are borne on one plant, 
they form a showy and delightful object." Bot. Mag. 4094. 
Ce'reus crena'tus, " A most remarkable plant, belonging to the winged section of Torch 
thistles, according to Pfeiffer, which Link regards as a particular genus, and calls Phyllocactus. 
It is the finest thing yet known, of its class, with white flowers, and will, doubtless, prove 
invaluable as a breeder ; for its habit is beautiful, to say nothing of its magnificent flowers, which 
rival the night -flowering cereus, but open in the day-time. When produced last month at the 
exhibition in the Horticultural Society's Garden, it received the highest medal off'ered for new 
plants. Let us only imagine a cross between it and C. speciossimus or Ackermannii. For the 
following information respecting it we are indebted to Mr. Booth. * This fine species, with 
several others, was forwarded from Honduras, in 1839, by George Ure Skinner, Esq., and 
presented to Sir Charles Lemon, Bart,, M,P., with whom it flowered at Carclew, in May 1843. 
Although similar in some respects to Epiphyllum latifrons of Bot. Mag. fol. 2692, it pi'oves to 
be perfectly distinct and far more desirable, on account of its flowers opening in the day-time. 
