THE EUONYMUS. 
455 
tion is necessary. I have seen a frame of 
wood serve admirably for protecting a very 
extensive collection ; and, in this manner, I 
have treated them successfully. 
" Mr. M'Intosh, however, recommends a 
pit of his construction. It can best be de- 
scribed in his own words. He says : — 
" ' In our practice, we have had a pit con- 
structed in the flower-garden, which served a 
double purpose, being the abode of a collection 
of these plants during winter, and, when they 
were put out in spring, it was filled with the 
more showy species of Mesembryanthemums 
planted out in it, which flowered beautifully 
till autumn, at which time it was again filled 
with the Alpine -plants, plunged into finely 
sifted coal ashes. 
" ' The walls of this pit were constructed of 
rock-work, which was planted with rock 
plants, and was soon completely covered. 
Nothing appeared, during summer, of a pit, 
when the whole was covered with plants. 
The wooden wall-plates and rafters were re- 
moved as soon as the Mesembryanthemums 
had established themselves ; and were only 
replaced in autumn, when the others were 
placed into it ; the lights, &c, were used 
during summer for other purposes. In this pit, 
which was elevated about a foot in front, and 
two feet behind, we cultivated, for three years, 
one of the richest private collections of these 
interesting plants probably brought together 
in this country.' * 
" He adds, — ' At first sight there will ap- 
pear something incongruous in placing a pit 
in any part of a well arranged flower-garden ; 
but as rock-work and similar things are 
admitted sometimes, though rarely, in imita- 
tion of rocky strata, or mountains in minia- 
ture, but, for the most part, with a view to 
form a proper situation for plants, Avhich are 
natives of rocky soils, to grow in, we can see 
no difficulty nor objection in constructing and 
arranging a rock-work, so as to be capable of 
being rendered a fit receptacle for such plants 
during the winter. But as many, and by far 
the greater part of the rarer species of these 
plants, can only prosper in a low temperature, 
their removal to a cool shaded spot, during the 
heats of our summer, becomes necessary, and 
will of course leave a space unoccupied. Few 
plants, therefore, can be brought in as substi- 
tutes, that will have a better effect than the 
genus in question. Their rapid growth, and 
capability of withstanding our hottest suns, 
without requiring much water, fit them, in a 
particular degree, for such a purpose.'f 
" It may be deemed presumptuous in any 
* Practical Gardener, p. 873. 
? " I am not aware of any plants more highly suitable 
for the purpose than those recommended." 
young man to add more, after such an au- 
thority as Mr. M ; Intosh, or to question the 
opinion of such a talented individual. With 
all due respect, however, for this eminent 
Horticulturist, I beg to say, that I consider 
this sort of pit attended with a great deal of 
labour ; and when hands are scarce, and one 
cannot command other facilities, he may be 
exceedingly fond of this tribe of plants, and be 
anxious to cultivate them too, but must keep 
his taste for them in subjection to his limited 
resources. I allude to the labour of carrying 
backwards and forwards an extensive collec- 
tion of these ; as beds of ashes, on which to 
place the plants or pots in summer, would ill 
accord with a tasteful erection of this sort, 
but which, it is true, may be at a considerable 
distance from the Rockery. Besides, the ex- 
pense of glass sashes, though in itself a minor 
item, is still not to be altogether overlooked, 
when better success than with the common 
method cannot be expected." — Pp. 38 — 42. 
We have given an honest opinion and a fair 
specimen of the parts we object to, and also of 
the work itself, which we approve ; and we 
must say, that the work is got up in a style of 
printing, embellishment, and binding, that 
will do honour to any drawing-room table, or 
the boudoir of a lady of taste. 
THE EUONYMUS. 
The Euonymus, or Spindle-wood, is a 
genus of shrubs, belonging to the natural 
order Celastracese. They are not at all re- 
markable for their flowers, which are alto- 
gether inconspicuous ; but some of the species 
are highly ornamental as evergreens, and 
others form a very useful variety among deci- 
duous shrubs, the foliage of all of them being 
distinct in its appearance. The species are 
widely distributed, some of them inhabiting 
the hedges and scattered woods of Europe ; 
others are found on the banks of rivulets and 
shady places, in various parts of North Ame- 
rica ; in Caucasus ; in Japan ; in Nepal ; and 
in China. The flowers of all the species are 
borne in axillary bunches. 
Euonymus eukop^eus, (the European 
Euonymus, or Spindle-tree,) is a deciduous 
shrub, or low tree, not often found much 
above twelve feet in height, but sometimes, in 
favourable situations, reaching even to thirty 
feet, and upwards. It has smooth branches, 
and opposite, lanceolate-ovate leaves, very 
minutely serrated, or saw-edged ; the flowers 
are small, greenish white, somewhat star- 
shaped, produced from the axils of the leaves, 
and usually borne about three together on 
one peduncle, or stalk. It flowers in May ; 
and these are succeeded by handsome rose- 
coloured fruit, which ripen in September. It 
