

138 THE LADIES’ FLOWER-GARDEN 
species appears in England to be a dwarf evergreen shrub with spreading branches, which has been known to flower 
when only six inckes high, and which at the height of two feet has been so covered with flowers that it has been 
impossible to see either the leaves or the branches. In its native country, however, it is said to climb to the top of 
lofty trees. The colour of the flowers is a deep rose shaded into a greenish-white at ‘each end. The species was 
introduced in 1846. 
OTHER SPECIES BELONGING TO SECTION III. 
F. DEPENDENS Zook. 
This is a very handsome species, the long trailing stems of which are supported by the neighbouring trees in its 
native country. The branches grow in whorls, with the flowers drooping from them, the flowers themselves 
bearing considerable resemblance to those of F’. fulgens. It is a native of Mexico, and was introduced in 1847. 
F, DENTICULATA Ruiz e¢ Pav. 
This species, which has not yet been introduced, is said to be the most beautiful of all the Fuchsias. The 
flowers are said to be purple, and so magnificent that the plant even in Peru is called Mollo-Ccantu, or the 
Beauty-plant. It is a shrub from six to twelve feet high. J. simplicicaulis and F’, apetala are two other species 
figured and described in the “ Flora Peruviana” which are said to be well deserving of an introduction into this 
country ; if, indeed, F’. apetala be not already here under the name of F’. macrantha. 
Section 4. Tube of the calyx strumose and ventricose at the base just above the ovarium. Ovules very minute, crowded on the central 
placenta without order. Leaves alternate. 
20.—FUCHSIA EXCORTICATA Zin. THE NEW ZEALAND FUCHSIA. 
Synonyme.—Skinnera excorticata Forst. Eneravine.— Bot. Reg., t. 857. 
Sprciric Cuaracter.—Leaves alternate, ovate-lanceolate, mealy beneath. Tube of the calyx strumose at the base. 
Description, &c.—This very singular plant is so different from the generality of Fuchsias that when it was 
first introduced it was supposed to be a different genus, and was described as such by Mr. Forster in his 
“ Prodromus.” All the other kinds of Fuchsia have their leaves growing either in pairs opposite each other or in 
whorls of three or four springing from the same joint, but in this species the leaves are alternate. The flowers are 
also very distinct, as there is a large fieshy knot at the base of the tube of the calyx, and a ridge running down the 
centre of each segment. The petals are almost black, and when the flowers first expand the calyx is green, but it 
afterwards changes to a bright crimson. The species is a native of New Zealand, whence it was introduced in 
1824, but it has never become popular. 

CHAPTER XXVI. 
LYTHRACEA Lindl. 
Essentiain Caaracter,—Calyx monosepalous, with a tubular or | times as numerous, but they are very seldom fewer; anthers oval, 
— | 



campanulate tube; lobes valvate or separate in estivation, their sinuses 
sometimes lengthened into other lobes, which are produced on the 
outside. Petals variable in number, inserted between the lobes of the 
calyx, very deciduous, sometimes wanting altogether. Stamens inserted 
into the tube of the calyx below the petals, to which they are some- 
times equal in number ; sometimes they are twice, thrice, or even four 
two-celled, inserted by the back. Ovarium free, two or four-celled. 
Style filiform ; stigma usually capitate. Capsule membranous, covered 
by the calyx, one-celled, opening either longitudinally or in an 
irregular manner. Seeds numerous, small, exalbuminous, adhering to 
the central placenta. Embryo straight, with the radicle turned 
towards the hylum, and the cotyledons flat and foliaceous. (@. Don.) 
Description, &c,—There are only two genera in this order which contain ornamental greenhouse plants, 





