56 
MAIIONIA GLUMACEA. 
sider them among the most ornate shrubs of that description. To give a stimulus 
to the culture of such plants which appears to us yet wanting, we have determined 
to represent several of the best species in a stage at which they have hitherto been 
insufficiently observed. We allude to the period when their fruit is produced and 
ripened. 
The berries of some species of these genera seem to us to possess peculiar 
attractions. With the inimitable deep blue colour of the grape, and the fine 
powdery bloom which is so much desired on that esteemed fruit, the berries of our 
present plant are likewise produced in long close spikes, and their beauty and 
abundance are such as almost to tempt the beholder not to rest satisfied with ocular 
examination. Their taste, however, is flat, acid, and disagreeable. 
M. glumacea is a rather unique species. It grows very dwarf, has exceedingly 
long foliage, which, with the numerous spikes of flowers, and the berries by which 
they are succeeded, all issue from a few inches of the stem, and create a close, but, 
owing to their loose disposition, by no means a crowded appearance. The pretty 
pale yellow flowers are first developed in the months of May and June, and the 
fruit is matured a,bout the end of July, remaining perfect for more than a month. 
After this, flowers are again borne in October and November, but these of course 
prove abortive. 
It endures the winter in the Epsom nursery, whence we procured our figure in 
July last, without any artificial protection, merely being planted in a spot very 
partially sheltered. The foliage assumes a rich purple tint in the autumnal months. 
Messrs. Young propagate it by seeds, which are sown in the autumn, either in 
pots or the open ground, and transplanted when the plants are three inches high. 
A light rich loamy soil suits both seedlings and established plants, and they will 
probably need a slight covering in extremely severe weather ; at least, it will be 
prudent to supply this w T hen frosts are violent. 
Mr. Nuttall separated this genus from Berberis, and named it in honour of 
Bernard M'Mahon, a patron of botanical science in North America. 
The specific appellation has reference to the singular glume-like processes 
situated around the lower part of the stem. 
