132 
THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. 
[ June, 
our poets liken the snow-flake falling on the bosom of the stream, and being 
momentarily absorbed thereby, to sensual pleasure. A truer metaphor, perhaps, 
would have been this lovely flower, the pointed white bud of which issues from 
its protective calyx during the midnight hour, when in her period of repose 
showers of ethereal dew bathe all nature ; unceasingly it swells, till, at the first 
embrace of Sol, on the early June morning, it quickly expands, appearing like a 
wild rose of the purest white, with purple spots at the base of each petal, the 
whole slightly, delicately crumpled, like the flowers of a poppy. 
Each bloom—and they are produced abundantly—falls off and withers ere 
the noon-day sun registers its shade-line upon the dial; and as the shades of 
eventide thicken, it is left a pretty bloomless evergreen, bearing a strange contrast 
with its early morning vestiture, when its branchlets were robed with purest 
blossoms. It is, in fact, the most beautiful of the shrubs known as Eock-Eoses, 
much the largest, and a true evergreen. Travellers tell that in its native 
habitat, which is Spain or Southern Europe, it diffuses all around a truly enjoy¬ 
able perfume. I have, however, personally detected no trace of this latter in 
connection with British-grown examples, though the whole surface of each 
plant exudes a peculiar gummy or adhesive substance, which attaches itself freely 
and not very pleasantly to the fingers at all times when the branches are being 
handled. Perhaps, therefore, the peculiar characteristic alluded to above may be 
the result of a freer emission of this same substance, which becomes capable of 
diffusing an agreeable perfume in climates which are warmer and far more 
felicitous than ours. In regard to culture, this interesting plant flourishes best 
in a light, rich soil, though it will succeed in almost any. It has no great 
aversion to the shade of trees, though it, of course, does not bloom so abundantly 
in such positions. It is always advisable to place a strong stake to each plant, 
as it is generally somewhat weak at the base, though supporting a heavy head, 
which renders it liable to injurious wind-wavings. 
The ordinary means of propagation are by seeds, by layers, and by cuttings. 
Perhaps the most easy is that of putting in cuttings under a hand-glass in a 
moderately moist, shady place during May. I think this is essentially a plant 
that would be benefited by being planted amongst “ nurse-plants,” as many of 
our more delicate conifers are. It may be added that it flourishes on or near 
to the sea-coast.— William Earley, Valentines. 
SENECIO PULCHER, 
lISCOVERED in South Brazil nearly 40 years ago bv the indefatigable 
Tweedie, this splendid Groundsel—the handsomest of its race—was intro¬ 
duced into England from Buenos Ayres last year by Mr. Tyerman, for¬ 
merly Curator of the Liverpool Botanic Garden, and was flowered by him 
at his present residence, Penlee Tregooney, in Cornwall, in November. From 
specimens then sent to Dr. Hooker a fine coloured figure has been prepared for 
the Botanical Magazine , whence the accompanying woodcut is derived. 
