148 ZICHYA PANNOSA. 
procured our drawing, however, from Messrs. Young, of Epsom, in May 1840. 
Such is the stoutness of its stems, that they are almost able to support themselves 
in the earlier stages of their growth ; and the leaves, unlike those of its allies, do 
not feel soft and smooth to the touch, owing to the paucity of down on their surface, 
and the existence of such strong ribs and veins on the under side. 
The treatment requisite for this plant is not in any respect different from that 
demanded by Z. coccinea. It prefers a loamy soil, with which a little heath-mould 
and sand can be mingled ; and it should be repotted yearly, or oftener, if necessary, 
about the end of March, or the beginning of April. It flowers most abundantly in 
May and June. Specimens trained spirally round a barrel-shaped trellis will have 
a much better appearance and flower more profusely than those which are sup- 
ported erectly, or attached to the rafters of a greenhouse ; since it is the peculiarity 
of this and related species to have few and distant leaves, and the clusters of flowers 
protruded on long stalks, which two properties give it a rather naked aspect unless 
some means are adopted for bringing the stems closer together. The only way of 
effecting this is the one just suggested. We have seen an enormous plant of this 
species at Mr. Low's, Clapton, which was in so large a pot, that the top of the 
earth was strewn with pieces of broken brick, in order to attract the roots upward, 
and bring them nearer to the action of the air. 
Cuttings root with the greatest ease, if they are not taken from flowering shoots. 
