78 SALVIA LINARIOIDES. 
their inflorescence is perfected ; but never mean and despicable, even when robbed 
of their leaves, since their w^ell-proportioned form then attracts attention, and 
prevents the eye from resting on their barrenness. 
The very elegant species of Salvia to which we would here give publicity, 
claims all the best characteristics that can impart value to a greenhouse shrub. It 
does not soar beyond a foot in height, has an infinitude of branches, which are 
disposed in the most orderly yet natural manner, flowers with the greatest exube- 
rance, and for several months, while it retains its foliage throughout the winter, 
and has always a cheerful appearance. There is no hyperbole in this statement. 
The colour of the flowers may be considered too pale for general effect ; but, when 
brought near enough to the beholder, by being set in a suitable situation, such as 
the front of a narrow stage, the want of any dazzling hue is more than compen- 
sated by the pleasing variegation of their middle, and the soft blue into which it 
merges towards the outer portions. 
Unfortunately we have no certain information as to the native locality or year 
of introduction of this pretty little species. Messrs. Henderson, of Pine- Apple 
Place, were favoured with specimens by a gentleman of considerable botanical 
acquirements, who had raised it from seeds received promiscuously, but with a 
strong persuasion that they were gathered in some temperate region of South 
America. We have not thought it prudent to alter the name under which 
we first became familiar with it ; because, appearing to us to be new, from our 
inability to discover it in any work within our reach, it is better to preserve the 
original appellation, than to encumber the science with useless synonymes. 
The ordinary culture of greenhouse plants cannot fail to suit our present 
subject. A compost of loam and heath-mould, with which a tolerable share of 
sand is mingled, should be supplied yearly in the early part of the season, as its 
developments seem to be generally somewhat more forward than those of most 
plants. On this account, also, it must be kept in a perfectly cold house or frame, 
with very little water, and in a spot close to the glass, throughout the winter, 
otherwise it will form sickly shoots while it ought to be dormant. 
From the readiness with which young branches are produced, shoots proper for 
cuttings are exceedingly abundant, and they will speedily strike if planted in 
spring, and carefully tended. 
Salvo^ to save, constitutes the basis of the generic designation, which has 
reference to the sanative properties of some of the commoner species. 
There can be no doubt that the specific term is descriptive of the distant resem- 
blance in the form of the corolla to that of a Linaria. 
