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NEW AND RARE PLANTS. 
THE ASH OF ARMERIA MARITIHA. 
BR. VOELCKER has made some experiments on the composition of the ash of Armeria maritima from 
different localities. The plants analyzed were procured — (1), from the sea-shore near Edinburgh ; 
(2), an elevated trap rock near Edinburgh ; (3), light sandy soil in Mr. Lawson's Nursery ; (4), granitic 
rocks on the mountains of Braemar. Traces of iodine were detected in the ash of the specimens grown 
in the first locality, but none in any of the others. In certain cases soda was replaced by potash. The 
plants from the three first-mentioned localities gave the following results : — 1. The proportion of alka- 
line clilorides, as well as that of silica, was considerable. 2. The quantity of soda was more abundant 
in the ash of specimens grown near the sea-shore, whilst potash prevailed in the ash of plants grown 
on the solid rock near the shore. 3. Soda was entirely replaced by potash in the ash of the plant grown 
in the nursery. 4. The quantity of phosphoric acid in No. 3 was considerable, when compared with 
that in Nos. 1 and 2. 5. The proportion of magnesia in the ashes of Armeria in its natural state, was 
larger than in the ash of specimens grown in the nursery. Dr. Voelcker suggests that the chloride of 
sodium found in the specimens from Braemar may arise from the spray of the sea, or particles of salt 
carried inland by the winds and other agencies. Iodine has been detected by M. Chatin in many 
aquatic plants in France, such as Water-Cress, Marsh-Marigold, Water-Lilies, Reeds, various species of 
Carex, Villarsia, Menyanthes, Myriophylluni, Ceratophyllum, Potamogeton, aquatic Ranunculi, C'haras, 
Conferva;, Callitriehe, Fontinalis, Stratiotes, Scrophularia, Sec. ; but not in Ranunculus acris, bulbosus, 
repens, nor Cardamine pratensis, although it was present in all the aquatic species of Ranunculus and 
Crucifcrce examined. M. Chatin's conclusions are, that — (1). Plants which grow in running waters, 
and in sheets of water sufficiently large to be strongly agitated by 'winds, contain more iodine than 
those growing in stagnant waters. (2). Iodine is generally found, although in small quantity, in 
plants which are only partially covered with water, or only during a part of their life. (3). Plants 
which contain iodine, when growing in water, lose it when they are developed out of water. (4). The 
proportion of iodine observed in plants is independent of their place in the natural system, and in 
general has no relation to specific character. Iodine would thus appear to be an accidental inorganic 
ingredient. It is present only in cases where iodine or salts of iodine are contained in soil or water in 
which the plants grow. 
P.im nnu Era flash 
Tiiyhsacaxtiics i.tlac'Inus, Lindley. Lilac-flowered Thyrsacantk (Journ. Sort. Soc, vi. 159). — Nat. Ord., 
Acanthacea; $ Echmatacantheos-Gcndarussa;. — A soft-wooded stove shrub, with thin downy wrinkled oblong 
lanceolate leaves, and contracted tliyrsoid panicles of pale lilac flowers, which are funnel-shaped and inflated, with 
a four-lobcd limb ; the upper lip erect and two-Iobcd, the lower deeply divided into three revolute segments. 
Origin unknown. Flowers in spring. Horticultural Society of London. 
Lonice&a tataiuca, ptjNiCBA. Crimson Tatarian Honeysuckle (Journ. Sort. Soc, vi. 52). — Nat. Ord., Capri- 
foliacess j Loniccrca\ — A hardy shrub, growing about five feet high, having ovate-lanceolate leaves, and small 
deep rose-coloured flowers growing from their axds. These are however larger, as well as later than in the 
parent, and hence, as it is not so liable to he cut by spring frosts, this variety will form a handsome addition to 
early flowering shrubs. From Siberia. Introduced about 1848. Flowers in April. Horticultural Society of 
London. 
Koc.ir.RA versicolor. Changeable-flowered Rogiera. (Hot. May., t. 4579). — Nat. Ord., Cinehonaoeie 
Cinchonas. — Syn. Rondeletia versicolor, Hooker. — A handsome evergreen stove shrub, of moderate size, with the 
branches and young leaves clothed with silky hairs. It has large, deep green, ovate-acuminate leaves, obtuse or 
subcordate at the base ; and large downy triehntomously divided cynics of small, but pretty flowers, which are 
remarkable fur the play of colours ; tin- tube being yellow, the limb in bud deep rose-colour, paler when expanded, 
lln'ii changing to white, having a yellow dise, the two-lobed green stigmas just protruding. The plant hag " very 
bitter bark." It is nearly allied to R. cordata. From Central America, Introduced in 1838, by Mr. Seemann. 
Flowers in early spring. Royal botanic Garden, Few. 
SiniocAMrvM s hamatus, Wendland. Hooked-calyxed Siphocampylus. (Paxt. //. Gard. ii.. 28). Nat 
Ord., Lnbcliacoie { l.oholea'. A stove shrub growing six feet high, covered with v liite down. The leavi 9 are 
nliloiig-ovale, or somewhat hcartshapi'd, with callous teeth. The flowers are violet-coloured, having tile lobe- of 
theealyx hooked backwards, and the tube of the corolla narrow and slender. From Brazil. Introduced to the 
German Gardens. 
CltVSIS AUllEA, MACUI.MA. Spotted Golden-flowered t 'li< is. [Bot. .'/•«/., t.. 1676). V'!. < h d, I hehida. i e 
5 Epidendreee-Lseliadete. — A very showy stove epiphyte, closely related to C. aurea, and differing in the colour of 
j tneflowers. The sepals and petals in this variety are yellow in the lower half, the upper half bine occupied by 
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