107 
ends and containing a single seed. It has failed to germinate as yet, 
and no plants have been raised from seed. It is piopagated by cut- 
tings and it is hoped shortly to have a good number for distribution 
to horticulturists. Hosea Lobbiana was first discovered by Lobb, no 
doubt at Kuching, during his visit to Borneo but his dried specimen 
was labelled Penang by some accident and the plant described as 
Cterodendron Lobbiana by Clarke in the Flora of British India. Lobb 
does not seem to have got it home alive. Miss North found it again 
and made acoloured drawing of it now in 
Specimens were also collected in Borneo by Hullett, Haviland and 
others. 
The plant is certainly allied to Clerodendron differing, however, 
entirely in its fruit which appears to be adapted for dispersal by 
water/ It grows in very wet swampy spots and its fruits are doubt- 
less floated away by streams. 
Its introduction to cultivation is due to the Right Reverend Bishop 
Hose who had it in his garden at Kuching and sent a cutting to Singa- 
pore. An additional plant was sent later by Mr. Hewett. 
Being found to be generically distinct it was described by the 
Editor in the Journal of the Straits Branch of the Royal Asiatic 
Society as a new genus under the name of Hosea Lobbiana, Ridl, m 
honour ot its first introducer Bishop Hose. It is known to the Dyaks, 
says the Bishop, as Tanga Bulan, or the moon-ladder. 
Hosea, though not a very fast grower, seems to make a tolerably 
strong growth in damp soil, and will also grow in stiff clay soil ot 
which so much of our country is composed. It is improved by 
manuring, with leaf mould and cowdung, and is best grown on a 
trellis or arch, as it is not stiff enough to grow in a bush form like 
Mussaenda and Allamanda. 
It is a decidedly fine acquisition and addition to tropical gardens, 
its brilliant colouring being very distinct, and the sprays lasting a 
long time in beauty. 
Cleaning Cement Floors. 
In plant houses where the floors or paths are cemented or tiled, 
it frequently happens that they get slippery and dangerous from the 
presence of a minute alga usually blackish in colour which is espe- 
cially abundant in wet weather and usually entails much scrubbing 
with sand to get the surface fit to walk on with safety. We find 
that such a condition is mo§t quickly and econoir ically cured l by 
spraying with a squirt with a weak solution of copper sulphate 
which destroys the alga and leaves rhe floor clean and safe. 1 ie 
system could be used successfully for bath rooms, etc. ED, 
