SOB 
SPA 
arborescent form by frequent stopping; 
this should be done often in the early 
part of the growth ; all of them bloom 
freely and are very handsome, though a 
preference may be given to S. coccineus , 
betulaefolius , and bicolor. 
SOBKALIA (Lindley.) Nat. Ord. 
OrcMdacea. The flowers of the prin¬ 
cipal species (S. macrantha ) are gor¬ 
geously coloured of a rich rosy purple 
and the most intense crimson, they are 
at the same time of immense size; all 
the species belong to the class of 
terrestrial Orchids, being found on the 
margins of streams, growing, like our 
reeds in the alluvial deposit common to 
such places. This circumstance requires 
to be imitated in cultivation, and it is 
therefore best to pot them in very sandy 
loam, and either to place the pot for a 
few inches of its depth into a cistern of 
water, or to supply the roots by other 
means abundantly with water while they 
are in an active state: the flowers are 
produced near the apex of the long 
reed-like stems, and in the species men¬ 
tioned are produced in daily succession, 
each one lasting a day, when it has 
been observed necessary to remove the 
decaying flower as soon as its beauty is 
past, or it rots, and consequently spoils 
the next in succession. Being natives 
of the milder parts of Guatemala, they 
do not require a very high temperature 
at any time, the ordinary one ol a stove 
being sufficient in summer, and from 45 
to 50° in winter, when the plants should 
be kept nearly dry. There are three 
other species known, decora, liliastrum, 
and sessilis, all of them beautiful, but 
far surpassed by the first mentioned. 
SOLANUM (Linn.) Nat. Order 
Solanacere. A genus composed of a 
great number of very varied forms, from 
that of a tropical tree to the creeping 
indigenous weed nightshade; it also 
includes plants whose chief property is 
a most decided poison, and at the same 
time that invaluable article in the food 
of man, the potato, of whose conse¬ 
quence but few entertained a correct 
idea till deprived of the benefit so long 
unregardingly enjoyed. But very few 
species of Solanum can be recommended 
for ornamental purposes: Seaforthianum, 
tomentosum, and violaceum, are rambling 
subjects sometimes admitted to the stove; 
Balbisii, Brownii , gracile, and Millerii, 
are in like manner regarded as green¬ 
house plants, though the hardy shrubs 
are all desirable for the sake of variety. 
The annual species, Melongena, and its 
varieties, are pretty generally grown 
under the name of Egg-plants; the 
seeds of these should be sown in March 
in heat, and after receive the treatment 
"usual for Balsams and other annuals of 
flip pi acre 
SOLLYA (Lindley.) Nat. Order 
Bittosporacece. A small genus of very 
pretty greenhouse under-climbers, S. 
heterophylla, and the variety linearis , 
are very generally grown for their neat 
habit and pretty blue flowers. They 
delight in a mixture of two parts peat 
and one of loam, and should have plenty 
of pot-room and air at all times. 
SOPHRONITIS (Lindley.) Nat. 
Order Orchidaceee. Pretty little epi¬ 
phytes, having a creeping stem, which 
should be attached to a block of wood, 
on which the root soon securely fastens 
it. The leaves are sessile, and com¬ 
paratively small, while the flowers, 
especially those of S. grandiflom , are 
large and very handsome, of a rich 
orange-red, marked with darker bars. 
The plants should have the treatment 
of the smaller kinds of Cattleya , and are 
well deserving adoption. 
SPABAXIS (Keb.) Natural Order 
Iridacece. This genus is fast rising in 
the estimation of both the florist and the 
gardener. Yarieties, both hardier and more 
pleasing in colour, are annually raised 
at home, on the Continent, and in the 
Channel Islands. It is a dwarf bulbous- 
rooted family of plants from the Cape of 
Good Hope, producing flowers about the 
size and shape of those of the Crocus, the 
colours of which are now of infinite 
variety; pure white, yellow, orange, 
red, purple and violet, are to be found, 
either separate or blended in pleasing 
variations. In culture they resemble 
the Ixia and Gladiolus; they require 
sandy peat or heath soil, and may be 
grown either in pots or beds. Eor the 
