420 
EXTRACTS—FLORICULTURE. 
like the Salpiglossis integrifolia of Hooker, Nierembergia phaenicea of Don. It 
is exceedingly pretty, and very well deserving of cultivation. The flowers are 
rich purple, dt is a native of Buenos Ayres, whence it was sent by Mr. Tweedie, 
last year. It is perennial, it strikes very readily by cuttings, and will probably 
thrive well in a dry, light green house, (Bot. Mug.) planted in light soil. 
Passiflo're^e. —Passion-flower Tribe. 
Passiflo / ra phceni'cea, Crimson Passion-flower, a splendid acquisition, 
nearly allied to palata and quadrahgularis, from which it differs in having only 
two glands at the upper end of the leaf-stalk, in the form of the leaves of the in- 
volucrum. It is much more brilliantly coloured than either of those well-known 
species. The flowers in the inside are of a rich deep scarlet, on the outside deep 
violet, with a white streak along the middle.— Bat. Beg. It requires the stove, 
thrives well in rich, open mould, and may be propagated by cuttings. 
Portul'acEjE. —The Purslane Tribe. 
CalandrPnia aren'avia, Sand Calandrinia, an obscure annual weed, with 
crimson-purple flowers, very common in sandy places near Valparaiso, whence 
seeds were brought by Mr. H. Cuming. It is hardy, and is readily increased by 
little shining black seeds, which are produced in great abundance.— Bot. Beg. 
ca'cte^e. —The Indian Fig Tribe. 
Opu'ntia auranti'aca, Orange-coloured Indian Fig, a native of Chili, whence 
it was originally sent to this country by Mr. Nugent. It was also brought home 
by Dr. Gillies, whose unpublished Cactus aurantiacus it appears to be. The 
flowers are of a clear bright yellow colour, about an inch and a half wide when 
expanded, with a column of white stamens in their centre. This requires the 
ordinary management of the dry stove. It is a very free grower, it is less im¬ 
patient of cold than many of the order, and is readily multiplied by its jointed 
branches. It is well known that the spines of the Cacti are difficult to extract, 
when they have entered the skin. If the spines be magnified, it will be found 
that this is owing to their being closely covered from the point downwards with 
numerous barbs, which have their cutting bases directed towards the base of the 
spine. In appearance they are very like arrow-heads, with several rows of barbs, 
such as are used by certain Indian nations. An interesting fact relating to the 
common European Opuntia is mentioned by M. De Candolle. “Among the 
practical consequences,” he observes, “ that result from the facility with which 
Cacti strike from cuttings, there is one wffiich deserves to be noticed, on account 
of its importance, viz. : the manner in which the Opuntia is employed to 
fertilize the old lavas at the foot of mount Etna. As soon as a fissure is per¬ 
ceived, a branch or joint of an Opuntia is stuck in, and the latter pushes out 
roots, which are nourished by the rain that collects round them, or by whatever 
dust or organic remains may have collected into a little soil. These roots, once 
developed, insinuate themselves into the most minute cievices, expand, and 
finally break up the lava into mere fragments. Opuntias treated in this manner 
produce a great deal of fruit, which is sold as a refreshing food throughout all 
the towns of Sicily.”— Bot. Beg. 
ros'ace.e. —The Rose Tribe. 
R'ubus ro'ridus, Dewy Bramble. This rare species is a native of Madagas¬ 
car, and strikingly different from all the known species of simple leaved brambles, 
in its finely cut stipules and bracteae, which are covered over with numerous little 
transparent green glands, giving all the parts that surround the petals an ap- 
