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to Europeans of the existence of this truly magnificent plant, 
the beauty of whose blossoms surpasses every thing known 
in the vegetable world. That the Chinese suspend in 
baskets from the ceilings of their rooms several of the tribe 
of plants to which this belongs, some for the sake of their 
fine flowers, and some on account of their delightful fragrance, 
is familiar to every one. Many, if not all, of this description, 
have been introduced from time to time; and a few have 
flowered with us. Among those which bid defiance to the 
skill of the cultivator, has long been recognised a species, in- 
troduced sometime previous to 1817, with long leafy stems, 
sometimes attaining the height of 8 or 10 feet, and fleshy, 
veinless leaves ; it is frequently imported from China, and is 
now to be found in almost every collection of which parasi- 
tical Orchidew form a part, attaching itself by means of its 
long tortuous roots to a damp wall, columns, or other bodies 
placed as its support. This is Renanthera coccinea. 
The cause of previous want of success in inducing it to 
flower, has resided in its having been cultivated in too dr 
an atmosphere. Mr. Fairbairn, gardener to His Royal High- 
ness Prince Leopold, at Claremont, impressed with this 
opinion, tried the effect of tying moss around the stems, and 
keeping it constantly damp, exposed as much as possible to 
the influence of the sun. With what success his experiment 
has been rewarded, appears from the accompanying repre- 
sentation of a portion of a panicle; 25 feet long, which was 
finally produced in the Hothouse at Claremont, in October 
1827. 
To Botanists it has been as little known as to the rest of 
the world,—almost every systematist having omitted it. And 
yet the language of Loureiro is far from unsatisfactory, 
allowance being made for certain peculiarities of diction. 
A native of woods in Cochinchina, where it climbs over 
trees. Propagated without difficulty by cuttings. When 
in flower, the plant may be safely removed toa dwelling 
apartment, where the blossoms, which are very durable, will 
remain in perfection many weeks. — 
Stem often 8 or 10 feet in length, round, leafy, slightly 
branched, the lower part sheathed with the persistent bases 
of the leaves, pushing forth a few long, tortuous roots, by 
