Amongst the recent additions to the Nepenthes family, Nepenthes bicalcarata is especially worthy of notice. It was discovered in Borneo and brought to England by Mr. Burbidge of the Trinity College Botanical Garden, Dublin. The most casual observer may see that this species stands quite unique amongst the numerous members of the genus. The most prominent deviation from the orthodox form, is seen in the two spurs or horns which spring from the underside of the lid, projecting downwards into the pitcher. These spurs are sharp pointed and are doubtless intended to detain the unfortunate adventurers who may chance to visit the cavity of the pitcher in search of food. There is comparatively little known of the life-history of this interesting plant, but we are told that instead of the usual diet of the various kinds of insects, it aspires to much more substantial game in the shape of rats and mice.

TV. Masters/anus is in some respects the most satisfactory of the garden hybrids. It is a cross between sanguinea and the old distillatoria, producing a pleasing combination of the characteristics of both of these fine species. The coloring inclines to sanguinea, while the shape is nearest distillatoria. It has the merit of pitchering rapidly; unless the plant receives a check of some kind, there is a pitcher to every leaf; the habit is compact and uniform; the plant requires no extra care to keep it in robust health. The texture of the pitchers is thin and flabby, consequently, should the interior of its capacious urn become dried up, it immediately begins to shrivel and decay. To avoid this a very moist atmosphere is necessary to grow it in. Mastersianus should not be allowed to grow taller than 6 or 8 inches, as over that height the distances between the leaves on the stem become greater and the size of the pitchers correspondingly less.

Nepenthes Rajah

The pitchers of this species are said to attain the length of 12 inches and 6 inches in breadth, but only in its native haunts (see Vol. 24, p. 318); for, so far as I am aware, the seedlings sent out a few years ago have absolutely refused to respond to the care and attention bestowed upon them in anything like a satisfactory manner. I had two of them under my care for three years, and notwithstanding the best of treatment, they rewarded me with only three very small leaves during that period. Changes of situation and temperature were alike of no avail, and it was with some degree of consolation that I learned of other people's experience with it being similar.

As these curious plants are yearly becoming more popular, a few remarks on their culture may prove to be of some service. In their native habitats - in close proximity to the equatorial belt - they luxuriate in the shade of trees among decaying vegetation, and are essentially moisture-loving plants, requiring at all seasons a high temperature, consequently they thrive best in a house specially constructed to suit their requirements. This should be a low, span-roofed structure, running north and south, the stages should be narrow slabs of slate or stone laid one and a half inches apart. The sides should be boxed in so as to hold sphagnum moss to the depth of six inches. In this moss we plunge the young plants, whether seedlings or rooted cuttings, until large enough to be put into baskets or hanging pots as desired. The various species and varieties of Nepenthes are propagated by cuttings, new kinds being raised from seed; they are unisexual, and when two distinct kinds are crossed, there is no end to the diversity in form and color in their progeny. There are various methods employed in rooting the cuttings, such as the old-fashioned method of mossing and placing under a bell glass, when 20 or 30 per cent, rooted would be considered a success.

The method practiced here is to push the lower part of the cutting through the hole of an inverted 3-inch pot and plunging it in sphagnum in the hottest part of the house, covering them with glass; in a short time every cutting will root. The material used for potting or basketing is of vital importance. It should consist of one-third very fibrous peat, one-third fresh chopped sphagnum, and the remainder coarse-grained sand, roughly broken charcoal, and potsherds. In repotting old plants great care should be exercised in removing the decayed vegetable matter from the roots, as they are very tender and brittle. In order to accomplish this sue. cessfully, a small tub filled with tepid water is useful, in which to immerse the roots, at the same time using the fingers carefully to disengage the decayed compost; or, if the plants are held above the tub, a fine spray syringe may be used on them with advantage. Let them be potted before their roots become in the least dry, and afterwards thoroughly saturate with tepid water, shading heavily for a week or two after, and watering overhead only with a fine spray syringe.

U. S. Bot. Garden, Washington, D. C. [We give with this excellent sketch, a cut of one of the older and best known species, for which we are indebted to the kindness of Mr. Blanc, in order that those who have not had the opportunity of seeing these curious plants may judge of their singular appearance___Ed. G. M].

Nepenthes Rafflesiana.

Nepenthes Rafflesiana.