160 HOT-HOUSE — OF REPOTTING, ETC. [May. 
Ficus, Fig-tree, a genus containing about fifty hot-house 
species, besides several that belong to the green-house : greatly 
admired for the beauty of their foliage. A few of them are 
deciduous, and all of the easiest culture. We have seen plants 
of F. eldstica hung in the back of the hot-house, without 
the smallest particle of earth, their only support being 
sprinklings of water every day. F. hrdssi and F. macro- 
phylla are the finest-looking species that have come under 
our observation ; the leaves of both are very large and shad- 
ing, occupying considerable space. In small collections, F. 
ind\ca and F. nit\da are desirable; F. reports is a climbing 
plant. (Soil No. 13.) 
Franc\scea , a new genus of plants from South America, 
containing about four species of profuse-blooming plants. 
F. Hopeana and F. lati folia are generally known ; the latter 
possesses all the combined fragrance of the jasmine and 
jonquil; the flowers are one inch in diameter, of a rich 
purple, fading to pure white, and blooms the whole winter. 
(Soil No. 9.) 
Gardenias, a genus containing about seventeen species, 
several of them very popular in our collections, going under 
the name of Cape Jasmine, which do well in the green- 
house (see May). The species requiring this department, 
and deserving attention, are G. campanuldta, of a soft woody 
nature, with ovate, acuminate leaves ; flowers of a straw 
colour, and solitary; G. amecna, the flowers are white, tinged 
with crimson, terminal and solitary, but seldom bloom ; G. 
costdta, admired for its beautiful ribbed foliage ; G. lUcida 
has a handsome, ovate, acuminate, shining foliage, flowers 
white and solitary; G. Sherbournii has large spotted flow- 
ers. G. Stanlcyana, flowers of a greenish white colour, nine 
inches long, spotted with brown ; they require to have the 
pots well drained. (Soil No. 13.) 
Geissomeria longijiora. This is a new genus, and closely 
allied to Rncllia. The species alluded to is a free flower, 
blooming from January to May, in close spikes of a scarlet 
colour, leaves opposite, ovate, elongate and shining ; the 
plants must be well drained, and in summer kept from the 
direct influence of the sun. (Soil No. 2.) 
Helicdnia braziliensis. This very splendid plant is nearly 
related to Strclitzia, and in splendour surpasses it. The 
brilliant scarlet sheath that envelops the flowers contrasts 
most admirably with its rich green leaves. Give plenty of 
