a 
ON RAISING FUCHSIAS FROM SEED. 
The whole of the individuals composing the natural order Cac- 
tacese, are of such extraordinary and variable habitude as to render 
their classification extremely difficult, and hence tne frequent 
changes of generic terms, so much to be regretted from the con¬ 
fusion to which it leads ; the group to which our present suoject 
belongs has been several times separated and again reunited un¬ 
der different appellations, but on this occasion we have chosen 
to continue the name by which it is most commonly known. 
Epiphyllum is derived from epi, upon, and phyllon, a leaf (Gr.) ; 
in allusion to the station of the flowers upon the leaf-like branches. 
JE. truncatum violaceum was obtained from Brazil in 1838, and 
is not yet so generally cultivated as it must be acknowledged to 
deserve. We were kindly favoured with the specimen for our 
drawing by our esteemed friend Mr. E. A. Hamp, the successful 
and scientific gardener at Mawby House, South Lambeth. 
Editor. 
ON RAISING FUCHSIAS FROM SEED. 
The interest attached to the production of seedling flowers of 
any variable family, is well known to all who have attempted it; 
and thanks to your exertions the practice is spreading fast, so 
much so, that extraordinary results may be expected within a few 
seasons. Allow me then to point out a prevalent error which 
exists with respect to the management of seedlings of that lovely 
genus the Fuchsia. 
The mistake begins even before the plants are called into exist¬ 
ence : in the saving of the seed, the berries too often, to save 
trouble, are washed to separate the seed from the pulp; and thus 
many of the finest, notwithstanding the utmost care, are lost: as 
it is impossible to examine the debris so scrupulously when in 
water as to be certain there are none contained in it, or as if it 
were dry ; it is therefore a better method to spread out the fruit 
as they are gathered singly upon paper, and expose them to the 
sun, to evaporate the juices of the pulp, and afterwards the seed 
may be collected with the greatest nicety : by inserting the thumb 
nail into each division or cell of the pericarp, the seeds are laid 
