JULY. 
155 
from broad crimson bracts, as brilliant in every way as the gayest of Aphe- 
landras, but much less formal in aspect. 
Of this most beautiful and interesting plant, the Messrs. Veitcli & Sons, 
of Chelsea, who were its introducers, are fortunate enough to have also 
secured a striped-leaved variety, which is the subject of these remarks, and 
which is represented in the accompanying figure, which has been kindly 
placed by them at our disposal. The bold character of the leaves of this plant, 
which is here well represented, and the conspicuous markings or bands of 
yellow by which they are decorated—recalling to mind those of the handsome 
Aphelandra Leopoldii, though much more beautiful—render it an ornamental 
object in every stage of growth, and justify us in asserting that it is one of 
the most valuable plants of modern introduction. The leaves are, when 
fully grown, from 12 to 15 inches in length. This Sanchezia is a native 
of Bolivia, and has been introduced by the Messrs. Yeitch through their 
most fortunate collector, Mr. Pearce. Its free growth and fine habit, 
together with its bold leafage and elegant markings, indicate a valuable 
exhibition plant, and altogether we do not hesitate to pronounce it to be 
the finest novelty of the present season. 
M. 
I 
FICUS STIPULATA. 
It is scarcely possible to over-estimate the merits of this plant for a 
certain purpose—viz., that of covering the back wall of a stove or Orchid- 
house. It will succeed in positions where scarcely any other creeper would 
exist. A damp wall suits it admirably ; but it must have plenty of room, 
especially root room. A plant here, permanently planted out, forms a 
dense carpet of green foliage all through the season, clinging Ivy-like to the 
wall, but if possible with more tenacity. The only attention bestowed upon 
the plant is frequent syringing during the summer season, and an 
occasional pincliing-in of the shoots when they advance too far from the 
wall. It strikes freely in a little heat, from lialf-ripened wood. ' As regards 
its adaptability for pots I cannot with certainly speak, having had no 
experience with it as a pot plant. It is often called Ficus repens. 
Wrotham Park. John Edlington. 
TAXODIUM SEMPERVIRENS. 
This is, indeed, one of the giants of the forest—a noble and distinct- 
habited hardy evergreen tree. It is a tree fit to look upon every day in the 
year, for there is such an admirable contrast between the colour of its bark 
and its branches; the former being of a rich ferruginous brown, and the 
latter of a dark shining green. It is, moreover, as hardy as an Oak, and 
most surely should be grown in every place of any extent. In California 
this Taxodium is said to grow to the height of 300 feet, and to reach from 
20 to 30 feet in circumference—surely a noble tree, like its neighbour 
Wellingtonia gigantea, which it resembles also in not putting forth any 
very great display in the way of cones or catkins. 
There is a tree here some 40 feet or more in height, and with a circum¬ 
ference of 8 feet 10 inches in the bole; it is branched to the very base, and 
is of a beautiful pyramidal shape. This tree has borne cones for several 
years, but though it has produced male and female blossoms most abun- 
