1874. ] 
GARDEN GOSSIP. 
139 
leaves being twisted in a way wMcb gives them the appearance of a ram’s horn. 
Mr. Bull describes it thus :—A very distinct-looking and beautiful form of the 
multifarious Croton or Codiceum^ihe great peculiarity of which consists in the leaves 
being rolled up from the end in a volute, after the manner of the curving of a ram’s 
horn. The leaves are six inches long, and an inch and a half or more in breadth, 
and beautifully coloured. The ground-colour is a deep green; a golden bar of 
a quarter of an inch wide runs down the centre, from which yellow veins diverge 
at about half-inch intervals, and meet near to and so as to coalesce with the 
golden margin, in which occur irregularly scattered green spots. The markings 
are very regular, a little pink sometimes appearing in the midrib. The curving 
of the leaf-blade is also very constant, causing the edges to be elevated so as to 
form a kind of channel. The bark of the young shoots is also variegated with 
yellow. This will prove one of the most beautiful and effective amongst the 
many fine forms, which have come to us from the islands of the South Seas. It 
has received a First-class Certificate from the Royal Horticultural Society, under 
the temporary name of cornigerum^ which is not properly applicable to it.—T. M. 
GAEDEN GOSSIP. 
HE event of the month has been the International Exhibition at Florence^ 
which was held in the New Market, a building admirably adapted for the 
purpose for which it is ultimately destined, but too large for the exhibi¬ 
tion, since, like our own Crystal Palace, it had the effect of dwarfing the 
plants. To some extent this impression was removed by the central fountain, a single simple 
jet, which, rising from a white marble basin three-fourths of the height of the building, 
produced a really imposing effect. The general grouping of the plants was simple and 
effective. The most remarkable exhibits were the gorgeous Crotons of Prince Demidoff, 
the stove plants of Marquis Torrigiani and Marquis Corsi-Salviati, the Agaves and the noble 
Bamboos of Signor Fenzi, the collections of MM. Linden and Dalli6re, and the New Plants of 
Messrs. Veitch. The Orchids and Specimen Greenhouse Plants were not equal to what we 
see at our own shows. Florists’ flowers in general were very poor, but Roses were good, and 
Fancy Pansies unusually excellent. Art and taste in design were, as might be expected, 
everywhere manifest in the fountains, garden ornaments, flower-pots, and the like. The 
form of the building is nearly square, and the arrangement of the contents may best be 
described by stating that there is a central nave and two side aisles connected by transepts 
at either end. The arrangement was effective, and a happy compromise between the severe 
utilitarianism of our English system, with its abrupt grouping, and the pictural arrange¬ 
ments often met with on the Continent. At the far end, opposite the entrance, was a lofty 
rockwork, rising from a subalpine forest of Azaleas, and formed of tufa, over which poured a 
cascade. In among the blocks fell double Banksian Roses, both buff and white, in graceful 
masses; Conifers and other shrubs sprung from between the projecting bluffs, and the whole 
formed a most pleasing group. The separation between the nave and aisles was formed by fine 
beds of Palms, Cycads, Pandanads, Tree Ferns, &c., these being edged for the most part with 
Ixia crocata, grown in pots and plunged; this plant giving an effective fringe of colour. 
Outside the main building was an open space planted as an ornamental garden, and containing 
also some remarkable exhibits. It was perhaps to be regretted that some of the grand objects, 
such as the noble masses of hardy Bamboos, were not utilised in the interior. We hear 
that proposals have been made to hold an International Exhibition in London in 1876; and 
there is no doubt that such a gathering would be well supported in this country, if carried 
out in the same catholic spirit as was that of 1866. 
- Specimens of Coleus The Czar^ sent to us by Mr. Cannell, show it to be 
a new and very distinct type of Coleus, of great beauty. Tbe leaves have the 
rich colouring of the green and golden varieties exquisitely blended in a varying 
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