202 
APHELEXIS. 
superseded by the now established title humilis; and, therefore, it 
should be written A. humilis grandiflora. But as the plant has 
been distributed as a variety of spectabile , we continue the terra, 
lest the alteration (as is too frequently the case) should lead to 
confusion; and, having mentioned the mistake, leave it to those 
interested to use which they please. 
We are indebted to Mr. J. Cattell, nurseryman, &c., of Wester- 
liam, Kent, who had the good fortune to introduce the plant, for 
the opportunity of figuring, and also for the accompanying note 
of its history and culture; who, it seems, did not estimate the 
value of his own production near so full as it deserved. But, as 
he remarks, the appearance of the plant in the principal collec¬ 
tions, at nearly all the metropolitan exhibitions, has stamped it 
with a character which renders encomium unnecessary. 
“ I received seed of the Aphelexis from the Cape of Good 
Hope, in the year 1838 (with some other seeds from the same 
quarter), marked Elichrysum spectabilis. As the plants came 
into flower, I did not consider the fine one a permanent variety ; 
but as it was so fine I did not part with it, but kept it as a good 
one to propagate from. After flowering a second and third time 
I thought it well worth keeping as a good distinct variety, and 
as such recommended it to my friends ; but as I did not charge 
a high price for it, very few took the trouble to grow it, till some 
fine plants made their appearance at some of the shows. The 
great beauty of the variety is the length of time it keeps a good 
colour, as well as the size of the flowers. 
“In a gentleman’s conservatory, near here, a plant of it was 
brought finely into bloom about the beginning of last March, and 
stood there till the end of July. Even then the gardener was re¬ 
luctant to remove it, as it was so showy ; and nothing but the 
consideration that he would weaken the plant too much for the 
next year could induce him to do so. 
“ Propagation , Soil , fyc. Cuttings taken any time in August 
root readily in silver sand, under a bell-glass, in a gentle heat of 
about 75° (the two or three years old branches will do as well for 
cuttings as the young). As soon as rooted they should be potted 
off into small pots, in very sandy peat, and set in heat again till 
they are rooted round the pot, when they should be hardened off. 
