cinnamon tree, is a native of the Island of Ceylon, and other parts of the East; and it has been introduced into South America, and the Isle of France, where it is cultivated for the bark. It is commonly considered as a stove plant, but it has ripened seeds in the conservatory of M. Boursault, at Paris, from which young plants have been raised, in 1827, 1828, and 1829, and these plants have stood the winter in the open air there for several years, with very little protection. It well deserves a trial, therefore, against a conservative wall, in British gardens. C. Cássia D. Don; Laúrus Cassia L.; L. Cinnamomum Bot. Rep.; Persea Cássia Spr.; the Wild Cinnamon, Bot. Rep., t. 596., which is a native of Ceylon, where it grows to the height of 50 ft. or 60 ft., with large spreading branches, is thought to be nothing more than C. vèrum in a wild state. Other ligneous plants belonging to this order, natives of Japan, Mexico, the Cape of Good Hope, and of New South Wales, and usually kept in green-houses, will be found enumerated in our Hortus Britannicus. Most of them, we have no doubt, could make a much better appearance against a flued conservative wall, than ever they can do in a house. CHAP. XCIV. OF THE HALF-HARDY LIGNEOUS PLANTS BELONGING TO THE ORDER PROTEA CEÆ. ALL the plants of this order are ligneous; and, with very few exceptions, are natives of Australia, and the Cape of Good Hope. Many species have been introduced, belonging to upwards of 30 1176 1177 1178 genera; and, doubtless, there are a great number of these, particularly the natives of New Holland, which would stand the winters of the climate of London against a conservative wall. Banksia littoralis R. Br. is a native of New Holland, where it forms a bush 8 ft. high, A plant stood against a wall in the Horticultural Society's Garden, from 1832 till it was killed by the severe spring of 1836. B. oblongifolia Cav., Bot. Cab., 241., stood out with us at Bayswater for four years, but was killed in the spring of 1836. Grevillea rosmarinifolia Cun. (fig. 1176) is a very elegant plant, a native of New South Wales, where it grows to the height of 4 ft. or 5 ft. A plant has stood out in front of the stove at Kew, since 1826, flowering freely every year. G. acuminata R. Br. (figs. 1177, 1178.) is also a native of New South Wales, and is considered equally hardy with G. rosmarinifolia. Hakea acicularis R. Br., Vent. Malm., S.; H. suaveolens R. Br.; and H. pugioniformis R. Br., Bot. Cab., 353., and our fig.1179.; have stood out in the Horticultural Society's Garden since 1832. It is probable that most of the species belonging to this order are equally hardy with those above enumerated; and we should have no hesitation in asserting that, against a fued wall, with straw hurdles to be set against it during severe weather, and taken off for an hour or more every fine day, all the Proteàce might be exhibited in the climate of London in greater vigour and beauty than they are in their native country. This may be thought a bold assertion; but, as it holds good in the case of Erica and Pelargonium, we see no reason why, if the same care were applied, the same should not follow in the case of all the plants of this very interesting order. 1179 CHAP. XCV. OF THE HARDY LIGNEOUS PLANTS OF THE ORDER THYM ELA CEÆ. THESE belong to two genera, Dáphne L. and Dírca L., which have the following characters: DAPHNE L. Calyx inferior, somewhat salver-shaped; in most, of some other colour than that of the leaves, and, from its shape and colour, resembling a corolla: : segments of its limb 4, deep, ovate, or oblong, imbricate in æstivation. Stamens 8, in two rows; the filaments with but a short part distinct from the tube of the calyx; the anthers not prominent beyond it. Ovary solitary. Ovule solitary, pendulous. Style very short. Stigma capitate. Fruit an ovate carpel, pulpy externally. Seed 1, pendulous. Shrubs. Inner bark silky. Most of the kinds evergreen. Leaves entire, in most alternate; if not alternate, opposite. Flowers terminal or axillary, mostly in groups, highly fragrant. The whole plant, in most, perhaps in all, intensely acrid and dangerous. (Smith Eng. Flora; Lindl. Nat. Syst.; Brown Prod., and observation.) DI'RCA L. Calyx inferior, funnel-shaped, ending in 4 (Du Hamel has stated in the "essential character" 5) unequal teeth: it is of a pale yellow colour, and hence, and from its figure, resembles a corolla. Stamens 8, arising from the middle of the calyx, and prominent beyond its tip, unequal. Ovary solitary. Style thread-shaped, extending a little beyond the stamens. Stigma a simple point. Fruit a dry carpel. Seed 1, pendulous. D. palustris L. is the only species described; and is a low shrub, that has upright branches, a very tough bark, and flowers 3 together. (Du Ham., Bot. Reg., Lindl. N. S., and observation.) DA'PHNE L. THE DAPHNE. Lin. Syst. Octándria Monogýnia. Identification. Lin. Gen., 192.; Juss. Gen. Pl., 77.; Lam. Ill., t. 290.; Smith Eng. Flora, 2. p. 228. Synonyme. Thymela`a Tourn. Inst., t. 366., Gærtn., t. 39. Derivation. Daphne is asserted by Lindley, and some other botanists, to have been the Greek name of the Ruscus racemòsus, or Alexandrian laurel, into which it is fabled that Daphne was changed. "Why the name has been applied to the shrubs now called Daphne, it is not easy to say." (Lindl. Bot. Reg., t. 1177.) It is stated in Rees's Cyclopædia, under Laúrus, that L. nóbilis "is certainly the Daphne of Dioscorides, and, consequently, the classical laurel. It is still called by the same name among the modern Greeks;" this is also the popular belief (See St. Pierre's E'tudes de la Nature, Lempricre's Class. Dict., &c. &c.) Supposing the Daphne to have been the Laúrus nóbilis, or bay tree, it is easy to account for its being applied to this genus, the D. Mezèrecum being formerly called the dwarf bay in England; and nearly all the species retaining the names of laureole and laureola in France and Italy. Description, &c. Undershrubs, evergreen and deciduous, natives chiefly of Europe, but partly also of the cooler parts of Asia, including Japan and China. The odour of some of the species is very agreeable; and the bark of all of them is acrid. They are all beautiful, and rather difficult to propagate, except by seeds. The price of plants, in the London nurseries, is from 1s. to 2s. 6d. for all the sorts, except D. Mezèreum, and D. Laurèola, which are 6d. each. A. Leaves deciduous. 1. D. MEZE`REUM L. The Mezereon Daphne, or common Mezereon. Identification. Lin. Sp. Pl., p. 509.; Willd. Sp. Pl., 2. p. 415.; Mill. Dict., n. 2.; Smith Eng. Flora, 2. p. 228.; Lodd. Cat., ed. 1836. Synonymes. Spurge Olive, Spurge Flax; Flowering Spurge, Parkinson; Dwarf Bay, Gerard; Laureole femelle, Bois gentil, Mézèreon, Bois joli, Fr.; gemeiner Seidelbast, or Kellerbalz, Ger.; Peperachtige Daphne, Dutch; Laureola femina, Biondella, Camelia, Ital.; Laureola hembra, Span. Derivation. Mezereum and Mezereon are said to be derived from madzaryon, the Persian name for this shrub Engravings. Eng. Bot., t. 1381.; Ed. Fl. Dan., t. 268.; and our fig. 1180. Spec. Char., &c. Leaves lanceolate, deciduous. Flowers distributed over the branches in threes mostly, and in pairs and fours, expanded before the leaves are protruded. A native of the woods of northern Europe. (Willd., Smith, and obs.) Found in woods, but rare, in the south and west of England; growing to the height of 4 ft., and flowering in February, March, or April. Varieties. D. M. 2 flore albo has white flowers and yellow fruit. D. M. 3 autumnale. - This is a remarkably distinct variety, not fastigiate in its mode of growth, but spreading; also with larger leaves than the species, and producing its flowers in autumn. These are very seldom succeeded by fruit, as might be expected from the season at which they are produced. It is a most desirable shrub, being commonly covered with its gay pinkish blossoms from November to March. It is rare in the nurseries about London; and is principally propagated by the Messrs. Backhouse of York. Description, &c. The mezereon is a well-known shrub, much valued in our gardens and shrubberies for the beauty both of its flowers and fruit. It produces its agreeably fragrant flowers in February or March, before the leaves; when, as Cowper has beautifully expressed it, its branches are "Though leafless, well attired, and thick beset With blushing wreaths, investing every spray." Task, book v. The whole shrub is poisonous to human beings, though the berries are a favourite food for finches, and other birds, more especially the robin. The bark is powerfully acrid: it is used in France for forming setons or slight blisters, and is very efficacious in cases where it is thought desirable to produce a slight serous discharge, without raising a large blister. When either the bark or berries are chewed, they produce violent and long-continued heat and irritation in the mouth and throat. The mezereon is sometimes used in medicine; but it requires to be administered by a skilful hand. When the berries have been eaten by children or others, accidentally, the best remedies are oil, fresh butter, linseed tea, milk, or some other kind of emollient, to allay the violence of the inflammation. The branches of this plant afford a yellow dye. The mezereon is of very easy culture. It is generally propagated by seeds; which, if suffered to get dry before they are sown, will remain two years in the soil; but which, if sown in autumn immediately after gathering them, generally come up the following spring. The best time for transplanting this shrub is in October, as it begins to vegetate very soon after Christmas. It thrives most in a loamy soil, and in an open situation; and, when it is properly treated, and has room, it will in 8 or 10 years form a bush 5 ft. or 6 ft. high, and 7 ft. or 8 ft. in diameter. There is a plant in the arboretum of Messrs. Loddiges, 6 ft. high. Price of plants, in the London nurseries, 50s. a hundred; and of the autumn-flowering variety, 1s. 6d. a plant at Bollwyller, 50 cents a plant: and at New York, 20 cents, and of the white-flowered variety, 50 cents. 2. D. ALTAICA Pall. The Altaic Daphne. Identification. Pall. Fl. Ross., 1. p. 55. t. 35.; Willd. Sp. Pl., 2. p. 422.; Sims in Bot. Mag., t. 1875.; Lodd. Cat., ed. 1836. Synonymes. Daphné altaique, Laureole de Tartarie, Fr.; Sibirischer Seidelbast, Ger. Engravings. Pall. Fl. Ross., 1. t. 35.; Bot. Mag., t. 1875.; Bot. Cab., t. 399.; and our fig. 1181. Spec. Char., &c. Leaves obovate-lanceolate, glabrous. Flowers sessile, in terminal umbels, about 5 in an umbel. (Sims in Bot. Mag., t. 1875.) Bark reddish brown in colour. Leaves oblong, broader towards the upper extremity, and narrowed downwards, of a somewhat glaucous and yellowish green, the latter colour prevailing most while they are young. Flowers white, and scentless; produced in May and June. Lobes of the calyx revolute. A native of the Altaic Alps, in Siberia. (Ibid.) In the Nouveau Du Hamel, it is stated that this plant bears a striking resemblance, in its general appearance, to the mezereon, with the exception of the flowers, which are disposed in terminal umbels, and are white and scentless. It is at present not very common in British collections, though it well deserves a place there, from its neat compact habit of growth; and from its flowers, which come in in succession to those of the common mezereon. Plants, in the London nurseries, are 2s. 6d. each. 3. D. ALPINA L. The Alpine Daphne. Engravings. Lodd. Bot. Cab., t. 66. ; and our fig. 1182. Description, &c. A low branchy shrub, with white flowers, silky on the outside, which come out in clusters from the sides of the branches, and are very fragrant. They appear in March, and are succeeded by roundish red berries, that ripen in September. It is quite hardy, and is very suitable for rockwork; as the roots fix themselves deeply into the crevices of the rocks. B. Erect. Leaves persistent. Flowers lateral. 1181 1182 4. D. LAURE OLA L. The Laureola Daphne, or Spurge Laurel. Identification. Lin. Sp. Pl., 510.; Willd. Sp. Pl., 2. p. 418.; Smith Eng. Flora, 2. p. 229.; Hook. Fl. Scot., 119.; Jacq. Austr., t. 183; Lodd. Cat., ed. 1836. Synonymes. Daphnöldes vèrum, vel Laurèola, Gesn., fasc. 1. 7. t. 6. f. 9.; Laurèola Rai Syn., 465., Ger. Em., 1404.; Thymela a Laurèola, Scop. Carn., 2. n. 463.; the Evergreen Daphne; Lauréole male, Lauréole des Anglais, Fr.; Immergrüner Seidelbast, Ger. Engravings. Eng. Bot., t. 119.; Jacq. Austr., t. 183.; and our fig. 1183. Spec. Char., &c. Evergreen. Leaves obovate-lanceolate, smooth. Flowers in axillary, simple, drooping clusters, that are shorter than the leaves: flowers in each about 5. Calyx obtuse. (Smith Eng. Flora., ii. p. 229.) An evergreen shrub; a native of Britain, and most other parts of Europe, in woods; growing to the height of 3 ft. or 4 ft., and producing its yellowish green flowers, which are disposed in clusters of 5 each, soon after Christmas, if the weather be not very severe, and continuing flowering till March. Though not showy in its flowers, it is a valuable plant for a shrubbery, from its being evergreen, and from its thick, glossy, shining leaves being disposed in tufts at the ends of the branches, so as to give it a full bushy appearance; which has a good effect in plantations, where it is desirable to produce masses of dark green. It thrives best in the shade, and will flourish in situations under the drip of trees, where few other plants would grow. If exposed to the sun, the leaves turn back with a kind of twist; and, instead of their natural pure deep green, they assume a brownish tinge. The berries are oval, green at first, but black when ripe; and they are a favourite food of singing birds: though, as De Candolle observes in the Flore Française, they are poisonous to all other animals. The spurge laurel is propagated by seeds, like the mezereon; but, as they will remain two years in the ground before they vegetate, they are generally treated like haws, and kept for some time in the rotting-heap. It may also be propagated by cuttings; but not readily. It is much used in nurseries, as a stock on which to graft the more tender species of the genus; but as, like all the other daphnes, it has few roots, it requires to be transplanted with care. 5. D. PO'NTICA L. The Pontic Daphne, or twin-flowered Spurge Laurel. Identification. Lin. Sp. Pl., 511.; Pall. Fl. Ross., 1. p. 54.; Willd. Sp. Pl., 2. p. 419.; Lodd. Cat., ed. 1836. Synonymes. Thymela a póntica, citrei foliis, Tourn. Itin., S. p. 180. t. 180.; Lauréole du Levant, Fr.; Pontischer Siedelbast, Ger. Engravings. Tourn. Itin., 3. t. 180.; Bot. Mag., t. 1282.; and our fig. 1184. Spec. Char., &c. Evergreen. Leaves obovate-lanceolate, glabrous. Flowers bractless, glabrous, in many-flowered upright clusters, each of the long partial stalks of which bears two flowers. Lobes of the calyx lanceolate, long. (Spreng.) A native of Asia Minor, where it forms a shrub, growing to the height of 4 ft. or 5 ft., and producing its greenish yellow flowers in April and May. It was introduced in 1759, and is frequent in collections. Varieties. D. p. 2 rubra Hort. has red flowers, and is supposed to be a hybrid. It is rather more tender than the species. D. p. 3 folüs variegatis Lodd. Cat., 1836, has variegated leaves. Description, &c. The whole plant, in general appearance, strongly resembles the common spurge laurel; but the leaves are more oval, and shorter; and the flowers, which are disposed in twos instead of fives, are yellower, and of a sweeter scent. The leaves somewhat resemble those of the lemon tree, especially in colour; whence Tournefort's trivial name. When bruised, they smell like those of the elder. This fine plant was first discovered by Tournefort, on the coast of the Black Sea, on hills and in woods; and Pallas says that it is also found in Siberia, in thick woods, and in the valleys which occur between the ridges of lofty mountains. It is, generally speaking, sufficiently hardy to bear the winters of the climate of London without protection; but, being disposed to put forth its young shoots very early, they are often injured in exposed situations, by the spring frosts; "an inconvenience which probably might be avoided by planting it in thickets, and under the shelter of trees." (Bot. Mag., t. 1282.) It thrives best in soil similar to that usually prepared for American plants, on the shady side of a wall, or in some other sheltered situation, where it will form a very handsome bush,4 ft. or 5 ft. high, and 6 ft. or 8 ft. in diameter. It may be propagated by seeds or cuttings. Plants, in the London nurseries, are 1s. 6d. each. 6. D. THYMELE'A L. The Thymelaea, or Milkwort-like, Daphne. Identification. Vahl Symb., 1. p. 28.; Willd. Sp. Pl., 2. p. 416. Synonymes. Thymelæ a foliis polygalæ glabris Bauh. Pin., 463.; T. alpina glabra, flosculis subluteis ad foliorum ortum sessilibus, Pluk. Alm., 366. t. 229. f. 2.; Sanamúnda viridis vel glabra Bauh. Prod., 160.; Sanamúnda glabra Bauh. Hist., 1. p. 592.; Passerina Thymelæ a Dec.; the Wild Olive; La Thymelie, Fr. ; astloser Seidelbast, Ger. Derivation. Thymela a is probably derived from thymos, poison, and elaia, or elæa, the olive tree, in reference to the poisonous qualities of the plant, and its slight resemblance to the olive. Engravings. Ger. Prov., t. 17. f. 2.; Pluk. Alm., t. 229. f. 2.; and our fig. 1185. Spec. Char., &c. Evergreen. Stem much branched. Branches simple, warted. Leaves lanceolate, broader towards the tip, crowded. Flowers axillary, |