198 
HINDSIA YIOLACEA. 
(now H. longiflora ,) are so evidently erroneously referred to Rondeletia , as to , 
render this step in their cases not only perfectly admissible, but desirable. 
H. violacea is in every respect a superior plant to the other species, and is, 
unquestionably, one of the finest stove plants of recent introduction. It is distin- 
guished by its more luxuriant and spreading habit, and the greater magnitude of 
its leaves and blossoms. The leaves also are more deeply furrowed and hairy, and 
the flowers have greater substance, the petals being of a thick fleshy consistency 
and having a rich velvety-looking surface. 
It is a native of South Brazil, and was first discovered by the collector sent 
out to explore that country by Messrs. Yeitch and Sons, of Exeter, and by him 
transmitted to their nursery about three or four j^ears since, and having been 
extensively propagated by cuttings, which strike root readily in sand under a glass 
with a gentle bottom-heat, now exists there in considerable quantity. 
It commences flowering early in the spring, and a large specimen with 
numerous clusters of its violet-blue flowers standing on the extremity of the shoots, 
on the outside of the plant, was exhibited at the Chiswick and Regent’s Park 
shows in May and June. The extreme profusion of the branches gives it a very 
compact character, and as they are also more disposed to spread and form a bush, 
than to grow erect and long, like those of II. longiflora , it may be more easily 
managed. By a trifling attention to stopping the growing shoots, it may be made 
dwarf to any desirable extent. As a flowering shrub for exhibition, or the more 
legitimate purpose of adorning the stove or a warm conservatory, it will be found 
extremely useful. 
Young plants in a very dwarf state are easily flowered by keeping them in 
small pots. But where large specimens are desired they should be allowed ample 
room for the extension of the roots, using a peaty soil enriched with a little loam 
and leaf-mould. 
R. B. Hinds, Esq., a zealous naturalist, whose plants, collected for his own 
private use, are now in course of publication at the expense of the public, is com- 
memorated in the present genus. 
