FLORICULTURAL NOTICES. 
91 
Geonoma Schottiana, another elegant palm, of somewhat slender growth ; the stem marked 
ith nodular rings, indicating the places where leaves have fallen away, and adorned on the top 
All gracefully-curved fronds, has also developed large pendulous panicled clusters of small 
und gi’eenish fruit. The seeds of this kind have been frequently matured in the Hackney 
iilm-house ; and specimens now exist there which were reared from some that ripened a few 
jars ago. Besides these, there is a small plant, about four or five feet high, of the CEnocdrpus 
\celsa, a kind approximating to the last in habit, with a few panicles of florescence. In its 
jbtive localities, in South America, this species shoots up to an immense height. Its generic 
tme is acquired from the vinous qualities of the fruit. 
Among the more lofty species, there is a noble specimen of the rare Areca montana (one of 
e Cabbage Palms), which, from ai’ound its stem immediately beneath the plumy crown of 
liage, has emitted several branched flower-spikes. This plant is a most graceful production 
'id one of the finest of the collection, being nearly forty feet high. We understand it has been 
'uited in England ^ but so far, none have set on the specimen under notice. 
We abstain from particularising any farther, and pass on to another interesting feature, 
volving something of a cultural nature. We refer to the numerous Orchidacese which have 
len fastened on the stems of some of the stouter Palms, and stuck in the projections wliich the 
'mains of the old leaves furnish. The kinds principally employed are Oncidiums and Leelias, 
a’t of an importation received last summer. A few have been treated thus for a longer period, 
ley look perfectly healthy, but as yet, the plan has not been sufficiently tested to show how far 
may affect the production of flowers. A few of the commoner kinds have been similarly fixed 
i some of the trees of the jungle in the large conservatory at Chats worth. 
„ As it is now a matter of experience that many orchidaceous plants thrive better in a cooler 
nnosphere than that to which they were formerly subjected, there is at least the likelihood of 
otaining a moderate share of success ; and if such plants as Oncidium altissimum and LcbUli 
iceps will thrust out their long flower-stalks when placed on the trunks of Palms, their charac- 
ristic situation will atone in some measure for a slight deficiency of individual excellence. 
In a Palm-house or stove-conservatory, sufficiently well-glazed to be waterproof, a pleasing 
feet might be created in the latter part of summer, and through the autumn, by removing there 
'few of the least delicate species brought into flower in the orchidaceous house, and suspending 
iem from the leaf-stalks of the Palms, or the boughs of other trees. The overhanging foliage 
3 uld form a natural shade, and the more airy situation would help to prolong the duration of 
e blossoms. It would scarcely be prudent to attempt the plan in spring, as the moist atmo- 
here and syringing then required would soon spoil the flowers. Possibly some of those 
chidacese from more elevated regions may be wintered in the position here described. 
: FLORICULTURAL NOTICES. 
NEW OR BEAUTIFUL PLANTS FIGURED IN THE LEADING BOTANICAL PERIODICALS FOR 
, MARCH AND APRIL. 
! Blandfo'b-dia margina'ta. Till lately, the only two species generally recognised as belonging 
i this fine New Holland genus were B. nohUis and B. grandiflora. About two or three years 
?;o, the present appeared in the nursery of Messrs. Osborne and Co., of Fulham, and was called 
f. marginata by the Dean of Manchester. It is much handsomer than B. grandiflora^ and 
tffers from it, in having deep copper- coloured flowers, instead of half red and half yellow ones, 
(lie blossoms, too, form a nearly regular cone, whilst those of the other are contracted near the 
Ijise, and swollen in the upper part. It is abundant in Van Diemen’s Land, and seems to be the 
\lctris punicea of Labillardiere. Mr. Gunn found it plentifully in a poor quartz sand, genei*aliy 
rather wet places, on Ilocky Cape, in 1837. That botanist proposed to name it in commemo- 
;tion of Mr. Backhouse, who was well versed in the Tasmanian Flora ; but the present name 
pving been published, another species sent home by Mr. Gunn, from the banks of the river 
ersey, about fifty miles from Launceston, has been called B. Backhousii. It is a plant with 
