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ON SOME POINTS OF EXCELLENCE IN rLORISTS' FLOWERS. 
Stamens consisting of distinct sessile, two-celled anthers, arranged 2-7 in a polygonal group, 
back to back, in close contact, the ceUs of the anthers concealed within the connective, open- 
ing at the apex. Ovai'ies niunerous, crowded, but free, conical, many-celled ; styles almost 
none ; stigmas capitate, flattened on the summit, and with slightly marked radiating lobes. 
Ovules numerous, orthotropous, ascending from the internal angle of the cells. Berries ? 
HiSTOKY. — This plant is a native of Demerara, and is not new to our gardens. It was 
figured by Sims in the Botanical Magazine, under the name of Caladiiim grandifolium ; Sir 
W. J. Hooker subsequently showed, in the same work, that it was not the Arimi grandifolium 
of Jacquin, and named it C. Simsii. It belongs to the genus riiilodendron of Schott, under 
which name it is inchided in Kunth's " Enimieratio." Its large, glossy, deep-green leaves, and 
broad crimson band in the white spathe, give it a striking appearance. — A. H. 
CuLTTJEE. — The Philodendron figured in our plate is a fi-ee growing stove plant. It should 
be potted in rough, porous compost ; and, from its large size, requires a large pot, which must 
be well drained. The old stems push out roots, which hang about the pot without" striking 
into the soil, and, no doubt, contribute, like the aerial roots of orchids, to the support of the 
plant. It is increased by separating the shoots which, from time to time, branch out fi'om the 
old stem. The species is more curious than ornamental. 
ON SOME POINTS OF EXCELLENCE IN FLOEISTS' FLOWERS. 
By Mr. GEORGE GLENNY, F.H.S. 
M S there is nothing more essential to the improvement of flowers than a knowledge of what would 
iGl constitute perfection, it may be acceptable if we give a slight sketch of the principal features 
deshable in some of the more popular of our ornamental plants and florists' flowers, that those who 
raise from seed may be aware of the points most esteemed, when they select for future cultivation ; 
and, besides this, offer a few remarks on the general principles which have been observed in deciding 
upon the proper forms, because the same pi inciples would govern in the estimate of flowers not yet 
treated of. 
Plants are distinguished from weeds, not by any law of vegetation, because they are aU wild, or 
rather indigenous, somewhere, but they are appreciated for certain properties which are deficient in 
those treated as weeds. It is not colom-, for some of our worst weeds are splendid — witness the soai'let 
Poppy, the bright yellow Charlock, the Buttercup, and many others ; but it is a combination of good 
qualities, or some one good quality, in pai'ticular. The claims which seem, more or less, to predomi- 
nate are : — 
Perfume. — Deshable in everything, whether gay or otherwise ; witness the Violet, Mignonette, 
Pink, Stock, Carnation, Wall-flower, Sweet Pea, HeHotrope, &c., in flowers ; and the Rose, Thorn, 
Sweet Brier, Honeysuckle, Magnolia, Clematis, &c., among shrubs. 
Continuous blooming, even without perfume, as in the Scarlet Geranium, Verbena, China Pose, 
Dahlia, Convolvulus, Heliotrope, Calceolaria, &c. 
Elegance of habit in the plant, as in the Fuchsia, and in most evergreens, especially the HoUy, Box, 
Lam'el, and nearly aU the Coniferse. 
Sjilendour of thejloicer, as in the Camellia, Pelargonium, Erica, Azalea, Rhododendron, Ranunculus, 
Anemone, &c. 
All these points are deshable, and although some subjects may possess only one of these in an 
eminent degree, there are others which possess more than one, though perhaps not so decidedly as some 
others may possess the individual properties. Looking on the opposite side of the question, the wUd 
plants that have not been adopted have peculiar faults that account for their rejection as garden 
flowers. They are : — 
Flowers with very thin, petals, that perish or fall almost as soon as they are open, however brilliant, 
as the Field Poppy or the Sun Rose. 
Plants with a very small portion of flower to a large proportion of foliage, such as Balm, Bryony, 
Fig-wort, Touch-me-not, the Mallows, and many others. 
Plants which root and occupy the ground, to the exclusion of everything near them, such as the 
Bind-weed and field Convolvulus. 
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