December 31, 1885. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
579 
now well known. So great an advance has been made that it is surprising 
new forms can still be obtained surpassing in some points those previously 
raised. By exercising extreme care and forethought in the crossings, 
however, it is evident that the capacity for improvement in the Amaryllis 
is by no means exhausted, and every season we confidently look for some 
new break amongst the innumerable seedliags raised. In form and size 
it does not seem possible to make any further advance, but the colours 
are being enriched and diversified, and by crossing with A. reticulata, 
is said to have been one of the parents, but its influence is scarcely per - 
ceptible. There are now several of these and other varieties in flower 
at Chelsea, and quite recently the handsome double forms were very 
attractive. 
It would be unnecessary to refer to all the miscellaneous plants which 
have been certificated, but prominent amongst those of sterling merit is 
Amasonia punicea, which has been repeatedly noted as a useful addition 
to our flowering stove plants. It is easily grown, readily propagated, and 
Fig. 85.— Cypeipedpu.u Godefkoy.e. 
a,group is being formed which greatly extends the flowering seas m of 
these noble plants. 
Rhododendrons of the greenhouse hybrid class are still commanding 
the attention they deserve as useful and beautiful flowering plants. The 
introductions and hybrids which have been placed in cultivation from the 
Chelsea Nursery are very numerous, and this year they have been in¬ 
creased by ten more, which comprise s me of the best that have yet been 
obtained. The scarlet forms are Apollo, Cirdinale, and Militaire, all 
different shades, with large blooms on compact heads. Indian Yellow, 
Minerva, and Teysminni are yellow-flowered varieties most welcome ad¬ 
ditions to the list. Incarnatum fl>ribunium has bull anl ro3e-tinted 
flowers, and Curtisi is brilliant crimson. Pe trl, whits and rose-tinted, 
and Manglesi, white with purple dots, are hybrids in which R. Aucklandi 
lasts in good condition for so long a time that it cannot be too highly 
commended. It is, moreover, very distinct in appearance, the bright red 
bracts with yellowish flowers thickly clothing the gracefully arching 
branches. A very hold and imposing Fern is Cyathea divergens with its 
large drooping bipinnate fronds, and another good distinct Fern is Davallia 
retusa, which is capitally suited for baskets, the fronds being sometimes 
over a yard in length, with angular pinnules somewhat like Adiantum 
trapeziforme. Lomariopsis buxifolia is also a distinct and pretty Fern, 
which is of a climbing habit, and is seen to great advantage when clinging 
to the stem of a Tree Fern. The specific name refers to the pinnules, which 
bear some resemblance in form and colour to the leaves of the Box. 
Nepenthes cincta is a fine Pitcher Plant of interesting origin, the seeds 
having been imported with those of N. Northiana, but it is believed to be 
