1871. ] 
GARDEN GOSSIP. 
143 
In a fine group of plants set up by Mr. Turner were a large showy pink 
Azalea named Comtesse de Flandres (f.c.c.), the flowers of a very bright hue, of 
unusual size, and much fringed on the edges ; also H. P. Rose , Paul Neron (f.c.c.),, 
of a fine deep rose hue, very large, full, and of good form ; and two Variegated 
Zonal Pelargoniums — Mrs. Rousbg (f.c.c.), a white-edged variety, with a showy 
carmine zone, and finely coloured; and Baroness Burdett-Coutts (f.c.c.), a 
golden-edged sort, of excellent growth, and finely coloured. M. Alexis Dalliere, 
of Ghent, showed among some other fine plants Azalea la Reine (s.c.c.), white, 
with broad dull red stripes, of fine form, distinct, and somewhat pretty. Messrs. 
J. and 0. Lee had a white variety of Lobelia speciosa , named White Perfection , 
pure white, apparently without a tint of blue in the flowers. We must not omit 
to mention a splendid plant of Anthurium Scherzerianum from M. Dalliere, and a 
grand Vanda teres Andersoni from Lord Londesborough; the former of which 
received a Special Certificate, and the latter was recommended for a Lindley 
Medal.—R. D. 
GARDEN GOSSIP. 
R. SEEMANN, who has recently brought to this country from the gold 
regions of Central America, living plants of the Elaphoglossum Herminieri , 
compares the drooping, shining, iridescent fronds to clusters of silvery eels, 
whence he proposes for it the popular name of Eel Fern. The short stout 
creeping rhizome of this fern is thickly clothed with long reddish-brown scales; the sterile 
fronds grow from a foot and a half to three feet long, and are thick, sessile, sword-shaped, 
narrowed gradually towards each end, and of a glossy, glaucous, iridescent green colour. 
The fertile fronds are oblong, 3 to 4 in. long only. The plant will add one more to our many 
decorative basket stove Ferns, and from its distinct character will be found very useful for 
contrast. It prefers a very shady position. 
-- ;PJessrs. Cripps & Son, of Tunbridge Wells, have sent us some illus¬ 
trations of their hardy Hybrid Clematises. One of them, named Lady Caroline 
Nevill , has flowers from 6 in. to 7 in. in diameter, of a delicate lavender, with a 
broad purplish lilac longitudinal band in the centre of each petal, and the foliage and growth 
of lanuginosa. Another, Star of India , has flowers 4 in. to 5 in. in diameter, of a rich violet 
purple, with a rosy-purple band in the centre of each petal, and the foliage and growth of 
C. Jackmanii. The third, Tunbridgensis , has flowers 4in. to Gin. diameter, dark shaded blue, 
with the midrib dark purple ; this is also said to he of the Jackmanii class, and a very 
abundant bloomer. They are all very fine flowers. 
- ®he Viola Imperial Blue Perfection must not be confounded with the 
Viola cornuta Perfection Mr. B. S. Williams sent out last year. The former 
was distributed by Messrs. E. G. Henderson and Son, the flowers being of a deep 
purplish-blue hue, very bright and effective, and remarkably free. Its great value lies in its 
early-blooming quality, and it not only flowers early, but it is singularly free and lasting. To 
spring gardeners, who look for early-blooming plants, it will be especially welcome, and should 
be used in conjunction with some of t]jLe fine varieties of Viola lutea grandiflora, that are so 
useful for spring work.— Quo. 
- ^he flowers of Coryanthes secrete a liquid , a sample of which obtained 
from just-opened flowers in the collection of Mr. Wilson Saunders, has been 
examined by Mr. G. B. Buckton, and showed the following properties :—Clear and 
