REMARKS ON THE ASTRAPiEA. 
67 
principles, it will remain the science of the learned few, but a sealed book to the 
inquiring- many. Linnaeus may have promulgated an artificial system, but his 
classification is, with all its imperfections, so simple, so certain, so entirely, and, 
upon the whole, so pre-eminently luminous, that its pupils will remain its faithful 
and grateful supporters. We will not speak qvW of the natural system, whose 
" eclaivcissement'' is a consummation devoutly to be wished : but, till that be 
accomplished, we will not abandon the great master. 
REMARKS ON THE ASTRAPiEA. 
Tpiis noble genus contains only three species, all of rather easy culture, merely 
requiring that heat and atmosphere generally kept in our wet stoves ; yet, like all 
plants cultivated under glass, each genus, and frequently almost every individual 
species, require different treatment, or the proportions constituting that treatment 
administered in different degrees. These observations justly apply to the genus 
Astrapcea, for while we find in one house plants of it growing in all the vigour of 
their native soil, we find others in another collection, stunted and indicating symptoms 
of weakness ; still, in both instances, the common application of stove culture is 
judiciously observed, of which the surrounding plants bear ample testimony by 
their strong shoots and stiff foliage. From this fact, it is evident that some 
particulars in the administration of the required aliment is indispensable, and apart 
from the general routine of stove management, yet not interfering with the main 
principles (heat and moist atmosphere). We have watched the cultivation of the 
principle features in this genus, viz., A. WallicJiii, for several years, during which 
time our success with it has been sufficiently satisfactory to convince us that the 
result of our experience cannot but be acceptable to our readers, which will be 
found in the following details. 
The first and most beautiful species is the A. WallicJiii, named after Dr. 
Wallich, superintendent of the Botanic Garden of Calcutta, a native of Madagascar, 
introduced to this country about fifteen years ago, described in our catalogues as 
growing upwards of thirty feet high. It is unquestionably one of the finest plants 
that can occupy a place in our stoves, for even when unassisted by its elegant 
blossoms, the large cordate leaves and long hairy footstalks, with the great dilated 
stipules at their base, render it at all seasons a complete bush of considerable 
magnitude, of pale green verdure. But when in flower, which generally takes place 
about August or September, and sometimes much later, its bright scarlet 
pendulous blossoms, with yellow anthers, are beauties which it is almost impossible 
to conceive unless actually seen on a fine clear day when fully expanded. To 
cultivate it with success, so as to maintain a perfect healthy specimen throughout 
the whole season, the following directions must be attended to : — 
1. The habit of it is to grow rapid and strong, therefore requires much room 
at the roots, which are addicted to ramify to a great extent ; if cramped for pot-room, 
the foliage in that case will always assume a stunted and sickly appearance, much 
inferior to that produced where the roots have plenty of room. No place can 
