HIS beautiful plant has not been known in England much more than fifty years. All the species at present cultivated in this country are natives of South America, from whence we received the first, Fuchsia coccinea, in 1788. We shall give a short description of some of the most distinct species and remarkable varieties; premising that this plant has been named Fuchsia in honour of Leonard Fuchs, a German botanist of high repute, and an author in the middle of the sixteenth century. It is placed by botanists in the Natural Order Onagracea, and in the eighth class (Octandria), and first order (Monogynia), of the Linnæan System.

The light and graceful appearance of the Fuchsia renders

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it desirable in the flower garden as a mere shrub; but when ornamented with its pendant flowers of richest crimson dye, tinged with purple or pale green, and sometimes shading into a delicate cream colour, with its cluster of golden stamens and pistil it seems to us one of the most elegant and tasteful of all the wonted inhabitants of the parterre. To the lover of flowers who delights to cultivate that which he admires when in its prime beauty, the Fuchsia possesses other qualities which enhance its value-its free growth, the ease with which it is propagated, and its general hardiness. When first the Fuchsia coccinea was imported in 1788, it was presented to the Royal Gardens at Kew, where for some time it was treated as a stove plant; but being removed to the greenhouse it bore the change well; and at length was transferred to the open ground, which it was not only sufficiently hardy to bear, but flourished with even greater luxuriance than when treated as a house plant. It now lives through the winter in gardens where it is sheltered by surrounding walls or buildings, and every year seems to increase in strength and beauty.

Fuchsia fulgens is a beautiful species, and was originally brought into this country by a foreigner on speculation, when it fell into the possession of Mr. Lee, of Hammersmith. It is thought to be in all probability the most beautiful plant of the temperate Flora of Mexico. Its flowers are of a rich vermilion colour, and in a sheltered situation it blooms freely in the open border, but requires care and protection during winter. It should be potted in a compost of equal parts of light loam and thoroughly decomposed cow's dung, adding leaf mould and sand, of each a quantity equal to one-fourth of the loam and dung, putting ample drainage in the pots. It should then be put near the

glass in a green or dwelling-house, where the heat in the morning averages from 50° to 55°. A free circulation of air must be allowed, water must be amply supplied morning and evening, and the plants must be shifted when the roots have made the sides of the pot; they may be planted out in the open border when all fear of frost is past.

Fuchsia corymbiflora was raised by Mr. Standish, of Bagshot, who says that the best way to grow this beautiful species is to prepare a bed in the flower garden, with light rich soil, and in May turn the plants into it, when they will soon become handsome shrubs, and each will speedily form a mass of roots. When showing flower they may be taken up and potted, and after being kept in a close place for a few days they may be taken to the greenhouse or conservatory without being affected by their removal. If you wish to have small flowering plants, take cuttings when in a flowering state, put them in thumb pots, and plant them under bell glasses; they will strike root readily, and by shifting them into larger sized pots they will perfect fine racemes of flowers. Dr. Lindley observes that this species casts all other Fuchsias into the shade. Ruiz and Pavon, in the Flora Peruviana, describe this magnificent plant as growing to the height of a man, completely laden with flowers, produced in the same manner as those of F. fulgens but far exceeding them in elegance of shape and brilliancy of colour. The tube of the flower is a clear bright rose colour, the tips turned back very much, and the petals thus disclosed are of a rich and brilliant carmine.

Fuchsia splendens.-F. Fulgens is a fine plant, but we regard this as being still more beautiful, because of the scarlet and pale green colours with which it is adorned. In habit it much resembles it, and, in fact, was supposed at one