104 HIBISCUS MULTIFIDUS. 
an9. gradually opening cup of the corolla, and merges beautifully into a lively 
crimson towards the centre, which is again prettily contrasted with the yellow and 
brown of the staminal processes. 
Nothing can be more symmetrical than the contour of the specimen which was 
cultivated at Messrs. Henderson's, Pine Apple Place, and bloomed there for the 
first time in August 1839. It begins branching within about six inches of the 
roots, and proceeds to the height of three or four feet, forming a regular bush of a 
conical shape. The deeply divided leaves also assist in filling up this outline, and 
impart to the whole an airy aspect which is quite alluring. Messrs. Henderson 
were favoured with seeds in 1837 by Captain Mangles, R.N. ; and the plant which 
flowered in their greenhouse furnished the subject of the present plate. We have 
reason to believe that it had not before blossomed in Britain. 
The ordinary culture of greenhouse plants would seem in all respects suitable. 
It should be potted in fresh loam, taken from the surface of pasture-land, and 
exposed to the weather for a year previous to its employment. A trifling addition 
of silver sand may likewise be desirable. Care should be taken to water it whenl 
a necessity for liquid nutriment really exists, and not at any stated periods. Yer^ 
large pots must be avoided, in order to stimulate the flowers to develop themselves 
earlier in the season. 
Prepared cuttings strike with tolerable readiness, if not subjected to too much 
moisture, which is apt to produce mouldiness and decay. Seeds are, however, 
sparingly ripened, and they will assuredly be more numerous when the plant is 
brought into flower a month sooner. They should be sown, immediately after 
maturation^ on a gentle hotbed, and the seedlings potted directly the first leaves are 
perfected. 
We have reason to expect that many valuable hybrids will result from the 
cross impregnation of this species with some of the larger-flowering kinds. The 
practice has now been carried to such a great extent, that so admirable an 
opportunity as the present subject affords of improving the varieties now in culti- 
vation, will certainly not be disregarded by hybridists. 
By turning to the 148th page of the third volume of this work, the reader will 
find the generic name explained. The specific designation is expressive of the 
minute divisions of the leaves. 
