26 
IPO MCE A FICIFOLIA. 
from that correctly represented in our plate, to little more than an inch in diameter. 
Facts assure us that it can be best grown in a moderate stove heat, and kept in a 
tolerably large pot, filled with a soil of which nutritive 
loam is the principal constituent, and the rest heath-mould 
and sand. We have observed that it is infinitely better 
to retain it in a pot and train it over a suitable balloon- 
shaped or globular wire trellis, than to plant it in a bed of 
earth, and encourage it to cover a flat trellis or rafter beneath 
the roof of the house ; as it shows its leaves and flowers 
far more favourably when these are brought close to each 
other on a comparatively small surface. 
While, however, we recommend keeping it in a stove, 
we must distinctly state that the autumnal temperature of 
such a house ought by no means to be high, nor the atmo- 
sphere very moist, nor the position of the plant such as to 
seclude it from the full benefit of all the solar light supplied 
at that period. Inat- 
tention to these con- 
ditions will materially 
shorten its blooming 
season, and bring it 
into a sickly and dan- 
gerous state. Cuttings 
root easily at almost 
any time. 
The generic name is 
taken from ips, ipos, 
bind- weed; andomoios, 
similar, in reference to 
the striking resem- 
blance of the species 
to the Convolvulus 
or Bind-weed. The specific term, ficifolia, alludes to the shape of the leaves, 
which is justly considered to be like that of the foliage on the common Fig. 
