176 
CHORTZEMA VARIUM. 
bably distributed the greatest quantity. We cannot with confidence affirm, but 
are led to believe that its flowers first expanded in the nursery of Mr. Halley, 
Blackheath, through whose kindness we were favoured with an opportunity of 
having our drawing executed from a specimen which bloomed in the month of 
June last. That gentleman had been furnished with seeds of this, and a variety of 
other supposed new Australian plants, from a friend connected with the Swan 
Eiver district, and these having vegetated in great abundance, as well as the 
specimens thus raised having been subsequently multiplied, there is a copious and 
valuable stock in his nursery at the place above-named. 
Regarding its cultivation, we have few suggestions to ofFer beyond those 
recorded in our previous volumes. There is one point which will not fail to impress 
itself upon the mind of every enlightened grower, which is its obvious need of 
more liberal treatment, both as relates to the quality of the soil and extent of 
pot-room, than C. ovata or even C. cordata. The aiyparent constitution of a plant 
will almost always determine this consideration, and that of C. mrium may be 
confidently depended upon. Rich soil for strong-growing species, with a much 
less generous and nutrimental compost for the w^eakly kinds, is a principle that 
holds good throughout the entire vegetable kingdom, with some slight restrictions 
and modifications in unusual cases ; and, in exact accordance with this datum, the 
subject now under deliberation should be tended. Abundance of light is likewise 
an essential condition, and should be duly supplied. In a small conservatory, 
where it would be sufficiently near the glass, it would most probably thrive more 
vigorously, and form a more signally beautiful object if planted in a prepared bed 
or border. But this should not be attempted unless proximity to the light can be 
ensured. 
Cuttings, taken off while in a half-ripened state, will strike without the least 
difficulty if attended to in the usual manner. It would appear almost politic to 
prepare these from the leading shoots, or at least the central one, as the plant is 
disposed to grow too much to a single stem, without branching enough to render 
its outline compact and symmetrical. 
The specific name was applied by Dr. Lindley in reference to the variable 
character of its foliage. It has been known in nurseries by the title of C. latifolia, 
and likewise, we suspect, C. elegans. 
