GROUP 7.-GREEN-LEAVED FRUITING OR ARBORESCENT FORMS OF HEDERA GRANDIFOLIA.

ARBORESCENS, The tree-like large-leaved ivy (syn. Canariensis arborescens, Hibernica arborescens, Canariensis fructifera).—Sufficiently known, perhaps, as the fruiting form of the Irish ivy, yet, as we sometimes see in pictures crowns of large-leaved ivy overhanging turrets and buttresses, &c., incorrectly drawn, it may be right to say, if only for the information of artists, that usually the fruiting form of the Irish ivy has entire ovate leaves; the occurrence of lobes is rare. Under pot-culture this form varies considerably, now and then throwing out a climbing shoot, making many partially-lobed leaves, and presenting the normal characteristics of Viridis. Likely enough, Viridis of this list (Algeriensis of gardens) is only a robust form of arborescens, which has partially run back to a climbing state; if so, the number of entire leaves Viridis produces is fully accounted for. Figured at page 102.

CORDIFOLIA, Heart-shaped-leaved tree ivy (syn. Hibernica arborescens latifolia). -A fine form of Arborescens; the leaves are uniformly cordate, thicker in texture and lighter in colour than those of Arborescens. It makes a beautiful pot-plant of the same cheerful green colour as Viridis.

CUSPIDATA MAJOR, Cuspid-leaved tree ivy (syn. Hibernica palmata).-We discard the term "palmata" because it has been assigned to a variety of H. helix, and repetitions are to be avoided. Besides, palmata is inappropriate, for the leaves are uniformly three-lobed, all the lobes project forward, the centre being the largest ; they are cuspid in outline, and peculiarly "cockled" at the bifurcations. The leaf is thick and hard like parchment, colour deep, full, cheerful green. A pretty plant. A faithful figure of a leaf is given at page 81.

GROUP 8.-VARIEGATED-LEAVED FRUITING OR ARBORESCENT FORMS OF HEDERA GRANDIFOLIA,

FLAVA, Yellow large-leaved tree ivy (syn. Hedera arborea flava var.).—A splendid counterpart of Pallida, the variegation more abundant and a deeper tone of yellow. A decidedly arborescent variety.

STRIATA, Striped large-leaved tree ivy (syn. Hedera arborea latifolia striata). -A bold and handsome variety, with stout, broad leaves, which vary in form from broad ovate or cordate to bluntly three-lobed; the prevailing colour is a bright cheerful green, sparingly striped and patched with creamy or yellowish variegation. Figured in plate on page 78, bottom, right hand.

Argentea minor.

GROUP 9.-GREEN-LEAVED CLIMBING FORMS OF HEDERA CORIACEA OR COLCHICA.

CORIACEA, The thick-leaved ivy (syn. Colchica, Ragneriana, Cordifolia).— This, the Asiatic ivy, is the Hedera Colchica of Koch, best known in gardens under the synonym Rogneriana. It is noble in habit, climbing freely, but somewhat slowly. The young stems and leaf-stalks are slightly tinged with purple. The leaves are large, frequently attaining to a length of seven inches, and a breadth of

P

five inches; they are broadly cordate in form, usually blunt at the apex, but sometimes elegantly acuminate. The texture of the leaf is leathery, the surface hard and smooth, the colour deep green, finely varnished. Figured at page 103.

Aurea.

DENTATA, The toothed thick-leaved ivy.-An interesting garden variety of Coriacea. In general form the leaf is cuneiform, but the outline is interrupted by two short cuneiform lobes placed symmetrically on either side, and the edge of the leaf throughout is beset with small sharp teeth rather distantly placed, and all pointing forwards.

PURPUREA, The purple thick-leaved ivy. A fine purple-leaved variety of Coriacea; the autumnal colour is sombre bronzy purple, mottled with dull green, the principal veins being of a reddish colour.

GROUP 10.-GREEN-LEAVED FRUITING OR ARBORESCENT FORMS OF HEDERA CORIACEA.

DENDROIDES, Tree-like thick-leaved ivy (syn. Ragneriana arborea).—An extraordinary plant, and the most tree-like of all the ivies. It branches freely, forming stout wood. The leaves differ but little from those of the climbing form, but are less inclined to produce lobes, and are usually somewhat narrower, and more smooth and glossy. This may be mistaken for a rhododendron when the leaves become somewhat narrowed by pot-culture.

PICTA, The painted thick-leaved ivy.-A handsome variety of the last named, distinguished from it by rich mottlings of bronzy brown, bronzy purple, and dark green. To bring out the colours, the plant should be grown in a poor soil, and be fully exposed to the influence of light and air.