REMARKS ON THE POINSETTIA PULCHERRIMA. 
163 
is the ripening- completed, than the capsule becomes upright, with the calyx for 
a support. This uprig-ht position appears to be intended by nature to give more 
effect to the valvular mechanisms for scattering the seeds, as it thus g-ains a higher 
elevation (in some cases more than an inch) from which to project them ; and this 
will give it, according- to the laws of projectiles, a very considerable increase of 
horizontal extent. Some ripe capsules of Viola tricolor, which I placed in a 
shallow pasteboard box in a drawer, were found to have projected their seeds to the 
distance of nearly two feet. From the elevation of a capsule, therefore, at the top 
of a tall plant, I should think these seeds mig-ht be projected twice or thrice that 
distance. — From the Mag. of Gardening and Botany^ by Professor Rennie, M.A. 
REMARKS ON THE POINSETTIA PULCHERRIMA. 
We embrace the first opportunity to offer a few remarks on that beautiful new 
exotic, figured by Dr. Hooker, in the number of the Botanical Magazine for June. 
In looking- over the account accompanying- the plate, and comparing- what is there 
said with the coloured figure, we feel satisfied that the P. pulclierrima is fully 
deserving- of the most earnest attention and careful manag-ement, in order that it 
may be so g-rown as to produce its flowers as perfect in our stoves as those g-rown 
at Philadelphia, where it is stated the beautiful scarlet whorls of bracteae which 
terminate the branches measure as much as twenty inches across, and are equal in 
colour to the finest tints of Rosa Sinensis. 
It is decidedly a splendid feature among- our ornamental plants, and, from its 
habit, and our limited acquaintance with it, we feel confident it may be cultivated 
with the application of the common treatment given to stove-plants. The treat- 
ment given at Chatsworth is as follows : — It is kept in rather a close atmosphere 
in the stove, along- with other tender plants, all of which are now and then syringed 
over when the weather is fine, in order to prevent the attacks of insects or the 
accumulation of filth. In the day, if fine, a free circulation of air is kept up ; 
and at night the temperature of the house averages from 65 to 70 degrees. The 
soil used, and which seems to suit well, is very sandy loam; in potting-, care is 
taken to ensure a good drainage, and as soon as the roots reach the inside surface 
of the pot, an additional shift is immediately given, so that the growth is never 
checked and the plant in consequence is kept continually progressing-. It requires 
a great supply of water at the roots. The young shoots no doubt may be propa- 
gated with the greatest facility in sand, under a bell-glass, plunged in heat. 
