102 
HOVEA PUNGENS. 
In conjunction with most other Australian plants, this species dehghts in a 
situation well exposed to light and air. A compound of loam and heath soil, in 
which the former is allowed to preponderate if a luxuriant growth is desired, with 
a trifling quantity of sand or reduced stone, forms an excellent and appropriate 
compost. When the specimen is inclined to manifest an extraordinary degree of 
exuberance, the quality of the earth may be modified by employing a larger portion 
of heath soil ; and if its growth continues of too straggling a character, pruning 
should be resorted to in the autumnal months. 
Those who wish to cultivate Hoveas to any remarkable degree of perfection, 
should use a rather rich compost, allow the roots due liberty to extend themselves, 
and occasionally reduce the plants. The larger kinds may be advantageously planted 
out in the border of a conservatory, and, with proper attention to pruning, they 
would there constitute most superb objects. The species here figured is, however, 
too dwarf for this purpose ; but a few months in the open ground during the 
summer season would unquestionably be found beneficial. 
These plants frequently suffer greatly, even to the loss of all their foliage, from 
careless watering ; extreme moisture or drought being alike inimical. If potted in 
a suitable soil, and a sufiiciently large pot, they will seldom be subjected to injury 
from drought ; but these circumstances will of themselves render them liable to 
be damaged by a superfluity of water. The constant care of the cultivator is there- 
fore requisite in the application of fluid. 
Messrs. Kollison, of Tooting, received this species, in 1838, from Baron Hugel, 
of Vienna, and with these gentlemen it flowered in the month of March of the 
present year. Our drawing was made at this latter period. 
For the origin of the generic name, see vol. iii. p. 242. 
