THE COTTAGE GARDENER AND COUNTRY GENTLEMAN’S COMPANION, September 8 , 1857. 355 
WEEKLY CALENDAR. 
D 
M 
D 
W 
SEPTEMBER 8—14, 1857. 
Weather ni 
Barometer. 
iar Lon 
Thermo. 
DON IN 
Wind. 
1856. 
Rain in 
Inches. 
Sun 
Rises. 
Sun 
Sets. 
Moon 
R. & S. 
Moon’s 
Age. 
Clock 
af. Sun. 
Day of 
Year. 
8 
Tu 
Strawberry Tree (Arbutus) 
29.8Q3—29.891 
74—40 
W. 
— 
25 a. 5 
30 a. 6 
7 
53 
20 
2 
29 
251 
9 
W 
Lobelia urens 
29-877— 29.788 
72—52 
S.E. 
— 
27 
28 
8 
19 
21 
2 
49 
252 
10 
Th 
Knawel (Scleranthus) 
29 . 994 — 29.869 
74—48 
E. 
— 
29 
25 
8 
59 
€ 
3 
10 
253 
11 
F 
Euphorbia paralias 
30.140—30.089 
72-47 
N.E. 
— 
80 
23 
9 
54 
23 
3 
31 
254 
12 
S 
Hornwort (Ceratophyllum) 
30.142—30.066 
72—46 
N.E. 
11 
32 
21 
11 
6 
24 
3 
51 
255 
13 
Son 
14 Sunday after Trinity. 
30.079—29.970 
66—45 
N.W. 
— 
33 
18 
morn. 
25 
4 
12 
256 
14 
M 
Diplotaxis muralis 
30.224—30.123 
67—35 
S.E. 
— 
35 ‘ 
16 
0 
28 
26 
4 
33 
257 
Meteorology of the Week. —At Chiswick, from observations during the last twenty-eight years, the average highest and lowest 
temperatures of these days are 76.5°, and 46.7°, respectively. The greatest heat, 84°, occurred on the 12th, in 1841 ; and the lowest cold, 28°, 
on the 13th, in 1855. During the period 106 days were fine, and on 90 rain fell. 
NOTES ON NEW OR RARE PLANTS. 
Gardenia malleieera. Nat. ord., Cinchonacece .— 
Native of Sierra Leone, and introduced into this country 
by Mr. Whitefield about 1843. Stem four to five feet 
high, numerously branched. Leaves opposite, on short 
stout petioles, with interpetiolary stipules, ovato-lanceo- 
late, acuminate; margins entire; surface smooth, very 
dark green. Flowers produced in the axils of the leaves. 
Calyx a short tube, deeply divided into five rigid subulate 
segments, persistent. Corolla tubular, from eight to 
nine inches long; limb eampanulate, and divided into 
five broad obtusely ovate segments; white. The pistil 
forms a very prominent and distinctive feature in this 
species, as it is very large and shaped like the clapper of 
a bell. 
This, although comparatively an old plant, is yet 
scarce in our collections. The only objection that can 
be raised against its extensive cultivation is the 
ephemeral character of its flowers ; but its great beauty 
and the curious structure of its flowers certainly entitle 
it to more favourable notice. It thrives well treated in 
the usual way of stove Gardenias, that is, plenty of 
moisture and strong bottom heat when growing and 
starting into flower, with a well-drained compost of peat 
and loam. 
Theophrasta Jussieut. Nat. ord., Myrsinece .— 
Native of St. Domingo. Stem simple, rough, with short 
spines. Leaves about two feet long, obtusely lanceolate, 
very coriaceous, dark green; margins furnished with 
spines. Calyx tubular, divided into six acutely lanceo¬ 
late lobes. Corolla tubular, divided into five short 
ovate lobes, cream-coloured outside, and dark coffee 
brown inside. Inflorescence a panicle, produced close 
to the stem in great profusion. 
This is a magnificent plant, whether considered with 
respect to the foliage or the flowers. Its simple stem 
requires no branches to add to the symmetry of the 
plant, as the leaves, by their great length and rigid and 
evergreen nature, make quite an equivalent for the 
absence of branches. In these days of fine-foliaged 
plants this species can scarcely be valued enough. The 
compost should be peat and loam in nearly equal parts, 
with sand sufficient to make the whole free, and the 
drainage must be kept in the most perfect condition. 
It delights in a strong moist heat, especially when start¬ 
ing into bloom. Although an old plant it is very rare, 
chiefly because of the difficulty it offers to propagation 
otherwise than by seeds. 
Lobelia splendens, var. ignea. Nat. ord., Lobe- 
liacece .—Native of Mexico. Stem herbaceous, from two 
to three feet high, dark purple. Leaves sessile, lanceo¬ 
late; margins serrate, about seven inches long, very 
dark purple, glabrous. Inflorescence an elongated 
terminal raceme, with numerous bracts. Calyx of five 
subulate segments; dark red. Corolla five-lobed, the 
two upper erect, lanceolate, and the three lower ovate 
and spreading; bright scarlet. 
This beautiful species, although old in cultivation, is 
yet rare on account of its having been lost for many 
years. It is quite hardy in the locality of London, only 
requiring the protection of a coating of coal ashes over 
the roots during the winter. The fine scarlet of the 
flowers contrasts admirably with the dark purple of the 
leaves, and its flowering season occurring at a time 
when flowering plants are scarce in the herbaceous 
ground makes it a plant of no ordinary value. It blooms 
from the beginning of August till far through September. 
It should have a place in every collection of choice 
herbaceous plants. 
Illiaria canarinoides. Nat. ord., Loasacece .—Native 
of Central America, and brought into cultivation by Mr. 
Linden, of Brussels, and bloomed by him last year. It 
was received into Britain last year and flowered in the 
present. Stem climbing, numerously branched, well 
furnished with slightly stinging hairs. Leaves opposite, 
cordato-lanceolate, divided into irregular lobes, coarsely 
dentate; veins reticulated and very prominent, thickly 
clothed with asperate hairs. Flowers axillary, on long 
pendent peduncles. Calyx deeply divided into five leafy 
segments; margins dentate, boldly veined, acuminate, 
woolly, dark green, reflexed. Corolla of ten petals in 
two rows, the outer row oblong, acuminate, somewhat 
membranous, marked with brownish-coloured reticulated 
veins, buff-coloured; the inner row much smaller than 
the outer, hooded, truncate at the apex, yellow. Stamens 
numerous, and produced in bundles opposite the five 
outer petals. 
This is quite a new genus, and the above named the 
only species it is yet known to contain. It is beautiful, 
and very distinct from any other genus of the order in 
cultivation. Apparently it will not ripen seeds in this 
country, but it can be propagated by cuttings and kept 
over winter in a well-protected frame. Trained to a 
pillar or trellis it is an interesting object, and blooms 
profusely throughout the summer.—S. G. W., Royal 
Gardens, Keiv. 
STUD HOUSE, HAMPTON COURT. • 
This time last year I was called out of Suffolk to 
attend a council on Scottish affairs at this place, that 
being my first visit there. It struck me then as an un¬ 
healthy place to live in, being on nearly a dead flat not 
many inches above the tide mark, and covered with 
timber trees, shrubs, and underwood as thickly as they 
could grow together. The main walk round the pleasure 
ground was a mere leafy tunnel, where a “ breath of 
air” could not be had on a calm day without a vigorous 
effort of the lungs, &c. Since then, however, a strong 
and continued pull on the purse strings of the Marquis 
of Breadalbane has converted all that into one of the 
healthiest spots and the most enjoyable country “ box” 
within fifty miles of London. 
Mr. Kidd, the factotum at the place, went to work 
with his sappers and miners, and cleared all before him 
in the true landscape style, and all that remains of the 
No. CCCCLXVII. Vol. XVIII. 
