FLORICULTURAL NOTICES. 
257 
delineated. All must have wislied it practicable, although it has rarely been tried. 
We especially commend it to the enterprising culturist, as a valuable means 
of satisfying that peculiar penchant for novelty which forms so distinguished a 
characteristic of our era. Where the fragrance of any particular plants is found 
too powerful for a room that is much occupied, or the slightest inconvenience is 
experienced from their nocturnal exhalations, few residences are without an apart- 
ment which can be appropriated exclusively to this end ; and this new appendage 
to a mansion would certainly not be the least interesting of its numerous depart- 
ments. 
FLORICULTURAL NOTICES. 
NEW AND RARE PLANTS FIGURED IN THE LEADING BOTANICAL PERIODICALS FOR 
NOVEMBER. 
CLASS I.— PLANTS WITH TWO COTYLEDONS (DICOTYLEDONE^:). 
THE INDIAN FIG TRIBE {Cactacece). 
LepIsmium commune. Common Lepismium. X very small-fiowcred cacta- 
ceous plant, with blossoms which would at once bring it within the genus 
R/iipsalis, but for its large triangular stems, like those of Cereus speciosissimus. 
The stems are branching, jointed, and very slender towards the base of their articu- 
lations; while the pinkish-white flowers spring from amidst the tufts of spines 
situated along their margins, and are usually partly buried therein. A few small 
roots are also produced from the furrows of the branches. It was received at the 
Glasgow Botanic Garden from Mr. Hitchin, and blooms in October. Brazil is 
presumed to be its native country. Bot. Mag. 3763. 
CLASS IL— PLANTS WITH ONE COTYLEDON (MONOCOTYLEDONE^). 
THE CORN-FLAG TRIBE {Iridaceds). 
Paters5nia sapphirIna. Sapphire Patersonia. Nothing can be more 
brilliant than the rich sapphire-coloured flowers of this charming plant, and it 
would rank as a most valuable ornament to the greenhouse were it not that these 
are so exceedingly fugitive. " A large plant will, however, produce numerous 
flower-heads, and these, by the number of their blossoms, compensate for their 
ephemeral existence." Seeds of it were obtained from the Swan River Colony by 
Mr. Mangles, with whom, we believe, it has flowered. It is to be distinguished 
from all its allies procured from the same district by " its long narrow leaves and 
scape, which are quite destitute of hairiness, except when the former are very 
young, at which time they are fringed with delicate down." It may be cultivated 
in a greenhouse, requiring no other than ordinary treatment. Bot, Reg, 60. 
VOL. VI,— NO. LXXI. L L 
