FLORICULTURAL NOTICES. 
165 
different shades of blue and purple, and are apparently borne in a particularly long 
spike. It derives its name from the peculiar narrowness of the seed-pod ; in 
referring to which, Dr. Lindley suggests that the form of the pods, and the number, 
size, shape, and surface of the seeds, furnish the best criteria for specific characters. 
It is likewise observable that, though dried specimens of Lupines sometimes pre- 
sent a shrubby appearance, they are often only the hardened stems of biennials. 
Bot. Reg. 38. 
Ma Rica ii u milts ; var. li)tea. An interesting variety, with bright yellow 
blossoms. As it is doubtful whether it may not ultimately be established as a dis- 
tinct species, since no botanist has yet been able to examine living specimens of the 
flowers, it is attached to M. humilis until this can be decided. For the latter spe- 
cies, indeed, it has a decided affinity, " being distinguished, if the drawing is quite 
correct, by narrower and straighter leaves, with a short bracteate stem, by longer 
and straighter bracts enclosing the ramules, and brighter yellow sepals, with five 
instead of four bars of a redder colour, and the ends of the petals white, with green 
bars instead of plain purple. If these features," continues Mr. Herbert, " should 
be confirmed by further observation, and should prove invariable, the plant may be 
distinguishable as M. lutea." It is supposed to have been received from Brazil, 
and is cultivated in the stove, in the same manner as the other species. Bot. Mag. 
3809. 
Oncidium pachyphyllum. In the rich collection of OrchidaceEe at Woburn 
Abbey, this exceedingly fine new Oncidium flowered in January last, having been 
introduced from Mexico by J. Parkinson, Esq. 44 It is remarkable for its large, 
thick, and very coriaceous leaf, its ample panicle loaded with blossoms of a greenish 
yellow colour, spotted with orange and reddish purple, and not destitute of fra- 
grance." From the drawing, it would appear to be a species of a singularly 
vigorous and luxuriant habitude, as both the flower-stems and leaves are unusually 
bold, but especially the former. The blossoms, too, are very large and showy. It 
is destitute of pseudo-bulbs, having the character of 0. luridum and Carthaginense 
in this respect. The flower-spike is about two feet long, rigid, and upright. It 
is a worthy companion of 0. Forbesii, though by no means so splendid. Bot. Mag. 
3807. 
Tradescantia tumida. The principal peculiarity of this novel species is the 
manifest swelling of the stems between each of the joints or nodes, and the recurva- 
tion of its deep green leaves, which curl downwards in such a manner as again to 
touch the stems. The flowers are developed only towards the upper ends of the 
latter, and appear in very dense axillary bunches. They are of a bright reddish- 
purple hue, and expand in the autumn. It has been raised in the garden of the 
Horticultural Society, where it was obtained from Mexico. " It is a greenhouse 
perennial of the most easy cultivation, having the same habits as the hardy species 
common in every garden. It grows freely in sandy loam, but is very apt 
to suffer from much wet or damp in winter. Like the other species of the genus, 
