152 GOMPHOLOBIUM POLYMORPHUM. 
culture must be essentially characterized by attention and care. It is even more 
gracile, though perhaps not more difficult to manage, than Chorizema ovata ; a 
nearly allied plant, on which some lengthened observations were inserted at page 
153 of the fourth volume of this work. To these we may now refer the reader, as 
they comprise many details which it were needless here to repeat, and which are 
unqualifiedly applicable to Gompholobiums. 
The point which we consider to be of greatest moment in the treatment of this 
plant, is the due preservation of its roots from redundant or stagnant fluids. Proper 
potting, drainage, and other matters of that kind, are doubtless indispensable to the 
attainment of this end, and no enthusiastic cultivator will allow these to be per- 
formed without vigilant personal inspection. But the period of potting, the con- 
dition of the plant at that time, and the size of the pots employed, demand earnest 
consideration ; and even these will subsequently be greatly influenced, if not 
completely governed, by the manner and degree in which water is actually applied. 
We merely mention these particulars in this place, as every intelligent individual 
will understand how to carry out the hints thus desultorily given. 
For compost, the usual admixture of light heath-soil with sandy loam is such 
as will suit this or any species of the genus. It is exceedingly probable that 
elevation of the soil in the middle of the pot, round the base of the plant's stem, as 
is frequently practised by experienced Heath-cultivators, would have a beneficial 
effect ; the roots of such plants as that now under discussion assimilating greatly to 
those of Heaths. 
An increase may be obtained by cuttings, which, like the old plants, require 
great and assiduous regard. They should not be prepared till after the plant has 
shed its flowers, and the extremities of the shoots are not to be preferred, since they 
are generally too tender to endure actual contact with a humid soil. To save tlie 
plant from mutilation, if seeds can be ripened, they should always be saved for the 
purpose of multiplication ; and we are induced to believe that, by this means, new 
varieties may occasionally be produced. 
GompJiolohium is derived from gompJios, a club, and lohos^ a pod ; tlie shape of 
the seed-pods of the original species presenting some resemblance to that of a club 
or wedge. 
