*Comptonia asplenifolia.—This is a quaint-looking little shrub, fern-like in leaf and neat in habit. The leaves are long, and cut into numerous rounded lobes, somewhat like those of the Ceterach; and the habit of the shrub is spreading and pleasing. It likes peaty soil, and may be increased by layers, suckers, or seeds. It should be used as an isolated specimen on the grass, or associated with such things as the oak-leaved Hydrangea and Aralia japonica. A very pretty object in the woods of New Jersey and many other parts of N. America, where it is called the Sweet Fern. It would be peculiarly appropriate for similar positions in this country, when we have it plentiful enough to naturalise.
Cordyline indivisa.—A magnificent New Zealand plant, with a simple stem, from 2 ft. to 5 ft. high, and well distinguished by its excessively thick and leathery leaves, which are from 1 ft. to 5 ft. long, and 4 or 5 inches broad, lance-shaped, of a dark shining green colour, the midrib and veins being of a rich deep orange. The flowers are white, and very densely crowded, in a large drooping panicle. This fine greenhouse plant may be placed out of doors in summer, from the end of May till October, with a very good effect; best, perhaps, as an isolated specimen, the pot being sunk in the grass.
Corypha australis.—A noble Australian palm, over 30 ft. high in its native country, and forming a very effective subject for the subtropical garden in summer, from June till October. The leaves are nearly circular, often more than 5 ft. broad, of a dark green colour, very much plaited, and divided round the edge into narrow segments, and supported by spiny leaf-stalks, from 6½ ft. to nearly 10 ft. long. It requires abundance of water, and should have a warm, sunny, and sheltered position. Few places, however, can afford to have subjects of this character in the open air, except where there are large conservatories, in which it is a relief to get more room in summer.
*Crambe cordifolia.—This is unquestionably one of the finest of perfectly hardy and large-leaved herbaceous plants. It is as easily grown as the common Seakale—more easily, if anything; and in heavy rich ground makes a splendid head of leaves, surmounted in summer by a dense spray of very small flowers. In planting it, the deeper and richer the soil the finer the result. It will prove a capital thing for any group of fine-leaved hardy plants, and may also be planted wherever a bold though low type of vegetation is desired.
There is another species, *C. juncea, a dwarf kind, with white flowers and much-branched stems, the ramifications of which are very slender and elegant. This is also effective, but not so valuable as C. cordifolia.
*Cucurbita perennis.—A climbing or trailing plant, well adapted for covering walls, ruins, trellises, steep slopes, etc. It is a very vigorous grower, its stems sometimes attaining a length of nearly 40 ft. in one year; but it will probably never do this in our climate. The leaves are strong, rough, and of a glaucous colour; and the shoots run about freely if the plant be in very rich soil. Where a bold trailing plant for high trellis-work, or rough banks, or shaggy rockwork is desired, it will be found useful; but withal we cannot give it a place in the front rank, and the small select garden without any of the above-mentioned appendages will certainly be better without it. For the botanical garden and curious collections it is indispensable. It is strong and lasting when well established, and may be allowed to trail over rough places, stumps, or similar positions. The flowers have a rather strong odour of violets, and are succeeded by roundish fruit, the size of a small orange, of a deep green colour barred and speckled with white. Requires a deep, light soil, and a warm but airy position. Seedlings and plants in exposed places should be covered in winter with litter or leaves. It is easily multiplied in spring by division of the young tuberous stems, or by sowing in light, substantial, well-drained soil from April to July, or in pots in a lukewarm hotbed in March and April. It has not, so far as I am aware, fruited in our climate.
Cyathea dealbata.—This very handsome fern, known in N. Zealand as the Silver Tree-fern, has a slender, branched, almost black stem, 4 ft. to 8 ft. high, ending in a fine crown of broadly-oblong twice-divided fronds of a dark green colour above and milk-white below; the rachis and midribs when young are covered with brown scales, and afterwards with pale deciduous down. This plant may be placed in the open air, in the southern and milder districts, during the summer months from the end of May till the end of September.
Cycas revoluta.—A graceful and well-known plant, with a very stout stem, sometimes, though rarely, reaching a height of from 6 ft. to 10 ft. from the top of which issues a beautiful crown of dark green pinnate
