PLANTS DESCRIBED IN BOTANICAL PERIODICALS. 
351 
gods. The tubers interwoven with the fibres of 
the root, as well as the seeds of the Lotus , were the 
food of numbers, and the Egyptian Lotophagi 
hence received their name. 
The method employed in sowing the seeds of the 
Lotus was very curious, and according to Dr. 
Royle in his “ Flora of Cachmere,” is still practised 
in the peninsula of India by certain tribes. The 
seed, enveloped in a ball of earth, is thrown on the 
surface of the stream, where it floats for a few 
moments, until becoming specifically heavier by the 
absorption of water it sinks to the bottom, and in 
due time the plant rises above the surface, spreads 
its leaves and unfolds its flower. It affords a beau- 
tiful illustration of a passage in the Sacred Writings; 
— “ Cast thy bread upon the waters, and thou shalt 
find it after many days.” 
The seed vessel of the Lotus resembles half a 
lemon, with cavities that would each contain a 
small hazel nut ; its form is somewhat assimilated 
to the rose of a watering-pot. 
The pericarpium of the Nelumbium Jlavum gives 
a good idea of this curious receptacle. 
Snakes slumber on the floating leaves of the 
Nelumbium speciosum , and aquatic birds, especially 
the long-toed Chinese Jacana, trip gracefully over 
them, and sometimes build their nests in the cavi- 
ties : some aquatics form so dense a mass of foliage 
and stem as to bear a person walking on them. 
Economy of Vegetation. 
PLANTS FIGURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE LEADING BOTANICAL 
PERIODICALS FOR NOVEMBER. 
Azalea ramentacea. A pretty and distinct species, 
received by the Horticultural Society from Mr. Fortune 
in May, 1846, and said to be from Hong-kong. It has 
something of the aspect of the common white Chinese 
Azalea, hut with smaller flowers, and forms a dwarf 
evergreen shrub, requiring the same kind of treatment 
as other species of Chinese Azalea; and is easily in- 
creased by cuttings in the usual way. — Jour. Hort. 
Soc., vol. iv., 291, 
Cycnoches barbatum. From Mrs. Lawrence’s rich 
collection at Ealing Park, recently imported from Costa 
Rica. It is a singular and handsome plant, with the 
sepals and petals dull yellow, spotted with purple. It 
will, probably, require to be grown in turfy peat, in pots 
well drained, and kept in the cool division of the Orchid 
house. — Bot. Mag., 4479. 
Dendrobium tortile. A native of Moulmain, 
imported by Messrs. Veitch through their collector, 
Mr. Thomas Lobb : exhibited at the Horticultural 
Society’s rooms in 1847. The flowers are large and 
handsome, the sepals and petals being white, and 
delicately tinged with purplish-rose. The plant appears 
to be of rather a weakly habit, but its flowers render it 
interesting in every collection of Orchids. It will thrive 
attached to a block of wood, or on a sod of Sphagnum 
moss, in a warm stove. — Bot. Mag., 4477. 
Echeveria farinosa. A sufficiently hardy species 
to live in a cold pit or frame from which frost is 
excluded, and easily increased, either from seeds or 
cuttings. It is a native of California, and was intro- 
duced by the Horticultural Society through Mr. Hartweg. 
The flowers are pale-lemon colour, and not very orna- 
mental. — Jour. Hort. Soc., vol. iv., 292. 
Echeveria laxa. A succulent plant, with yellow 
flowers, like those of Sempervivum arboreum in appear- 
ance. It is a native of woods near Monterey, in 
California, whence it was sent to the Horticultural 
Society by Mr. Hartweg. It requires a cool greenhouse, 
hut is not worthy of a place in a collection of ornamental 
plants. — Jour. Hort. Soc., vol. iv., 292. 
Heliconia angustifolia. A very handsome and 
rather dwarf species, introduced by Mr. Henry Shepherd 
to the Liverpool Botanical Gardens, from Brazil. It 
flowered in January, 1846, when its beautiful bright- 
red spathas, deep orange-coloured ovaries, and white 
sepals tipped with green, had a very handsome effect. 
The present may be considered a dwarf species of the 
genus, as it does not attain more than between three or 
four feet in height. It requires to be kept in the stove, 
and grown in a large pot, planting it in light loam and 
supplying it freely with water during summer. — 
Bot. Mag., 4475. 
Lisianthus princeps. Some idea may he formed of 
the beauty of this plant from the following dimensions 
of one of its flowers : The cup of the calyx is half an 
inch deep ; the corolla is five inches long, and rather 
more than an inch wide in the thickest part. These 
flowers hang on long terete stalks singly from the axils 
of the leaves. It is undoubtedly one of the finest things 
in cultivation. — Jour. Hort. Soc., vol. iv., 261. 
Pogostemon Patchouli. The Pucha-Pat or 
Patchouli of India. The dried tops of this celebrated 
fragrant plant, as well as the essence, or alcoholic solu- 
tion of the oil, are placed in the Museum of the Royal 
Gardens, and the living plant is seen in the stoves. 
Under the above names are imported into this country 
(only within the last seven years) the dried foliaceous 
tops of a strongly odoriferous plant, called, in Bengalee 
as well as in Hindoo, Pucha-pat. The dried tops 
imported into England are a foot or more in length. 
The odour is strong and peculiar ; I cannot call it agree- 
able, though some others do, while many persons regard 
it as disagreeable. By distillation it yields a volatile oil, 
on which the odour and remarkable properties depend. 
In Europe it is principally used for perfumery purposes. 
Sachets de Patchouli are sold in the shops. They 
consist of a few grains of the coarsely-powdered herb, 
mixed with cotton-wool, and folded in paper. Placed 
in drawers, chests, &c., they are said to drive away 
insects from linen, shawls, &c. An Essence de Patchouli 
is used by perfumers, principally for mixing with other 
scents in the preparation of compounded perfumes ; for 
this purpose it is considered very useful. In India it is 
used as an ingredient in tobacco, and for scenting the 
hair of women. — Journal of Botany, 328. 
Rhododendron Clivianum. This is one of a very 
remarkable set of hybrid Rhododendrons produced by 
the care and skill of Mr. Iveson, head gardener at Syon, 
and it was named by Dr. Lindley at the exhibition- 
rooms of the Horticultural Society, in compliment to 
her Grace the Dowager Duchess of Northumberland. 
It is one of the most delicate and beautiful kinds of 
Rhododendron yet in cultivation. The flowers are 
white, with crimson spotting, and the plant is perfectly 
hardy, hut unfortunately flowers too early for our 
climate ; but as it makes a fine appearance, it is well 
worthy of protection while in flower. 
Schomburgkia tibicinis ; grandiflora. Dr. Lindley 
