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EPACRIS COCCINEUS. 
departure from the usual colour of E. iinpressa. In bestowing upon it a specific 
designation, therefore, we are bound to declare upon what we believe its claims to 
that position to rest. 
Specific names are obviously and confessedly given for the purpose of dis- 
tinguishing certain allied plants from all others of the same genus. As far as we 
are aware, no characters essential to constitute a species are recognized, and we 
might bring forward almost numberless instances in which the colour of the flowers 
of plants denominated species alone entitles them to that rank. If it be said that 
E. coccineus will not reproduce plants of a similar colour from seeds, the same may 
be urged against E. impressa, and probably many others, not to mention species of 
other genera. Assured, then, that no Epacris has ever before been seen in this 
country with flowers similar to the present, and that the colour is so very distinct 
as well as so imposing, we unhesitatingly deem it worthy of the situation to which 
it is here elevated. 
Besides the colour of the blossoms, this species difi'ers from E. impressa in its 
stronger and more luxuriant habit, in its denser and larger foliage, in the corolla 
being much shorter, more truly campanulate, and having smaller, broader, and less 
acuminate segments, and in the flowers protruding themselves either horizontally 
or in a partially erect position. 
The cultivation of Epacrises has been repeatedly discussed in this Magazine, 
and we need only refer to former volumes for all needful information on this point™ 
It may suffice here to state that they should be managed precisely as Cape Heaths, 
not requiring a rich soil, but perfect drainage and a good supply of water. They 
are less liable to be destroyed by bad treatment than Heaths, but the careful 
cuiturist is always liberally rewarded by a more dense and charming profusion 
of flowers. 
