114 
COLLECTIONS AND RECOLLECTIONS. 
ANAGALLIS WEBBIANA. 
This plant never thrives if it be crowded amongst other plants. It is always 
better to strike young plants every year : the old ones seldom thrive more than a 
year. Cuttings taken off at three joints, and planted round the sides of a pot, and 
plunged in a gentle heat, will strike roots readily* 
PLUMIERA RUBRA. 
This beautiful stove plant succeeds best in rich light loam, and requires but 
very little water at any time, but it must be kept very dry when not in a growing 
state, which will have a tendency to throw it into flower. It is propagated by 
cuttings, which should be laid to dry for a while, like those of Cacti, and after- 
wards either struck in tan, or planted in pots. 
EFFECT OF IODINE UPON GERMINATION. 
A series of comparative experiments have been made by M. Canter upon the 
germination and vegetation of plants moistened with water, solution of chlorine, and 
solution of Iodine, the latter of equal density. The following are his conclusions : 
1st. Iodine is generally more effectual than chlorine in facilitating the germination 
of seeds ; 2nd. Iodine produces this effect by stimulating the germen of the seeds 
in the same manner as oxygen and chlorine ; 3rd. Iodine is absorbed by the 
growing plant, but by its affinity for hydrogen, and the power of vegetation, is soon 
converted into hydriodic acid; 4th. The germination of seeds, which appear to 
have lost all vital powers, may frequently be excited by iodine. — Rep. Pat. Invent. 
PLANTING EVERGREENS. 
In planting evergreens in winter, a dull, calm day answers very well, but in 
autumn or spring, a moist rainy day is the best. Whether planting be done in a 
a dull day, a wet day, or a dry day, it is very necessary to keep in view the 
expediency of keeping the plants for as short a time out of the ground as possible ; 
if only a few minutes, so much the better : and in all cases when it can be done, 
where great numbers are to be planted, we should, if possible, have some men 
stationed to take up the plants, others to carry them, and a third set to put them 
into the ground. In all seasons, situations, and soils, the plants should be well 
soaked with water, as soon as the earth is put about the roots. — M'Nab on planting 
Evergreens. 
SPONTANEOUS MOVEMENTS OF PLANTS. 
In Megaclinium falcatum, the labellum, which is connected very slightly with 
the columna, is almost continually in motion ; in a species of Pterostylis, there is a 
kind of convulsive action of the labellum ; the filaments of Oscillatorias are con- 
tinually writhing like worms in pain ; several other confervas exhibit spontaneous 
movements ; but the most singular case of the kind is that of Hedysarum gyra?is. 
This plant has ternate leaves ; the terminal leaflet, which is larger than those at 
the side, does not move, except to sleep ; but the lateral ones, especially in warm 
