276 
THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. 
[ December, 
tiendrai,” by assimilating it with the words “ Jemmy maintain me,” and we 
have heard more than one philosophic nurseryman mourn over the loss of 
time incurred in writing “ Souvenir de la Eeine d’Angleterre ” five hundred 
times repeated, when “ Ajax ” or 11 ‘ Ino ” would have answered every purpose. 
Further, something may be said on the fitness of names. A flower that 
would well become the name of “Blushing Bride” would make a very 
indifferent “ Alderman,” nor should we expect to see exactly the same 
complexion in a “Vulcan” as in a “Venus.” A large Gooseberry might 
appropriately bear the name of “Achilles,” which would be far more 
euphonious and agreeable to ears polite, than such names as “ Bang-up ” 
and “ Thumper,” which exist plentifully among this class of fruit. In this, 
however, as in other instances, we would not advocate a change of names 
already established—they are short and easy enough, if homely or pro¬ 
vincial—but that future names be chosen from a more refined vocabulary. 
Finally, we have seen it somewhere suggested, and think the suggestion 
a good one, that newly-introduced species, the botanists’ plants, should 
bear names coined from the Latin or Greek languages, expressive of some 
prominent feature; and the horticulturists’ plants, what we are used to 
regard as mere variations of species, should have applied to them popular 
names in our own language. The names of the good and great ones of 
our own time, and of all time, offer for this purpose a rich repertory, from 
which we might freely draw. 
These suggestive remarks are thrown out with all good humour for the 
consideration of those into whose hands the naming of our plants and 
flowers usually falls. There are many cries for reform just now; and 
among small things is it nowhere more needed than in our horticultural 
nomenclature. 
Waltham Cross, N. William Paul. 
ALOCASIA JENNXNGSIL 
S HIS most distinct and beautiful plant gained the medal as the best 
new foliage plant, at the Boyal Horticultural Society’s Show in May 
f !867, and has since that time repeatedly appeared at the principal 
metropolitan Shows, where it has always been greatly admired. It 
is so thoroughly distinct from any other Arad in cultivation, that it will be 
a most welcome addition to our picturesque-leaved stove plants. 
It is a stemless stove perennial, with peltate, ovate, heart-shaped acumi¬ 
nate leaves, 6 to 8 inches long, supported on mottled stalks. The leaf-blades 
are of a beautiful clear green, marked in sections in the spaces between the 
principal veins (which are defined by bright green lines) with deep-brown 
almost black, wedge-shaped blotches. These regularly-disposed markings 
produce a very striking contrast, and render the plant one of the most 
