| 150 THE LADIES’ FLOWER-GARDEN 
because it not unfrequently happens that the failure in striking cuttings is owing to having taken them off old 
plants. The best season for propagation is the spring: the young plants then become rooted before the following 
with sand, a little of this must be added. The pots should be well drained in order to carry off superfluous water.” 
| winter. They will strike root best in silver sand. The soil should be good peat, and if it is not naturally mixed 
The species is a native of New Holland, whence it was introduced in 1887. 
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| OTHER SPECIES OF CALLISTEMON, 
C. LANCEOLATUM Dec. 
This species is sometimes called Metrosideros lanceolata, and sometimes M. citrina. It differs from the other 
species of the genus in the tufts of flowers being distinct and distant from each other, instead of being arranged in 
| amass round the stem. The leaves of this species are also remarkably harsh and rigid to the touch, but when 
bruised they have an agreeable fragrance. The plant is an evergreen shrub, growing to the height of from four 
to six feet, and it was introduced in 1798. The stamens are scarlet. 
C. RIGIDUM R. Br. 
This is the same as the Metrosideros linearis of Willd. It is a handsome species with crimson stamens and 
very rigid leaves. It was introduced in 1800. 
There are several other species, but they are seldom found in collections. 
GENUS XII. 
METROSIDEROS Gerin. THE METROSIDEROS. 
Lin. Syst. IWOSANDRIA MONOGYNIA. 
Generic Cuaracter.—Limb of the calyx five or six-cleft. Stamens twenty or thirty, very long. Capsule two or three-celled; cells many- 
seeded. Flowers pedicellate. (G. Don.) 
Description, &c.—This was originally a very large genus, but the species contained in Angophora and Cal- 
listemon having been separated from it, it is now confined to only a few species. M. vera, or the Ironwood Tree, is 
a native of the East Indies, and requires a stove in Great Britain The name of Metrosideros signifies iron- 
wood. 
GENUS XIII. 
LEPTOSPERMUM Forst. THE LEPTOSPERMUM. 
Lin. Syst. ICOSANDRIA MONOGYNIA. 
Generic Cuaracter.—Limb of the calyx five-cleft; lobes triangular. Stamens twenty or thirty, shorter than the petals. Capsule four or 
five-celled. Flowers solitary, pedicellate. (@. Don.) 
Description, &c.—The name of Leptospermum is derived from two Greek words, signifying a slender seed. 
There are a great many species, most of which are natives of New Holland; but as they are not very ornamental, 
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only one or two of them are in cultivation in British greenhouses. 




