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Myrtaceae (Genus comprising six species)

A genus comprising six species of Heath-like, glabrous, greenhouse shrubs, confined to Australia. Flowers white or pink, small, solitary, and shortly pedicellate or almost sessile in the axils of the leaves; petals five, obovate or orbicular. Leaves opposite, small, entire. Probably the species described below is the only one yet introduced. It requires similar treatment to that recommended for Myrtus.

M. microphylla (small-leaved). fl. white, small, nearly sessile in the upper axils, usually forming little racemes on the smaller branches; petals spreading, persistent or deciduous. 1870. Habit erect or diffuse and much-branched.

MICROSTYLIS (from mikros, small, and stylos, a column; in allusion to the size of the column). SYNS. Achroanthes, Crepidium, Pedilea, Pterochilus. ORD. Orchideae. A genus comprising about forty species of stove terrestrial orchids, natives of Europe, Asia, and North and South America. They are allied to Malaxis, but distinguished from that genus by the lip being at right angles with the column. Flowers small, usually greenish or yellow. Leaves membranaceous or plicate. For culture, see Liparis.

M. calophylla (beautiful-leaved).* fl. yellow; peduncles rather strong, bearing a raceme about 6in. long. l. ovate, yellowish-green, prettily bordered, striped with brown. Pseudo-bulb conical. Indian Archipelago, 1879. M. chlorophrys (green-leaved). fl. purple, with the ears of the sagittate lip ochre-coloured; racemes few-flowered. l. oblong, acute, greenish above, and light purple beneath. Borneo, 1881.

M. discolor (two-coloured).* fl. yellow, changing to orange, small, on short upright peduncles. l. deep reddish-purple, edged with green, plaited longitudinally, and much crisped at the margin. Ceylon, 1863. This species is characterised as among the most lovely of terrestrial orchids. The flowers, though minute, exhibit great singularity of structure when seen under the microscope. (B. M. 5403.) M. histionantha (sail-flowered). fl. brownish-green, in a compact concave umbel; sepals reflexed, oblong; petals minute; column short, with obtuse horns. l. two from a broad-ovate or rounded tuber, ovate and membranaceous, with their sheathing bases forming a long tube around the base of the much-angled scape. Columbia. (B. M. 4103.) M. Josephiana (Sir Joseph Hooker's). fl. yellow, small, disposed in terminal racemes. May. l. broadly ovate, greenish-brown. Pseudo-bulbs oblong. h. 1ft. Sikkim, 1877. (B. M. 6325.) M. metallica (metallic).* fl., odd sepal yellow, lateral sepals one side rose, the other yellow; petals light rose; peduncle violet, with a long raceme of numerous, rather long-stalked, blossoms. l. oblong-acute, of a light rose underneath, blackish-purple above, with an exquisite metallic lustre. Pseudo-bulbs cylindrical. Borneo, 1879.

M. ventilabrum (large-lipped). fl. yellow, with a large square lip, sagittate at the base, and seven to nine-toothed at top. l. light green, with brownish-tinted veins. Sunda Isles, 1882. A fine species. M. versicolor (various-coloured). fl. various-coloured. June to October. l. ovate-lanceolate. h. 1ft. China, 1830. (L. B. C. 1751.) MIGNONETTE (Reseda odorata). This well-known fragrant little plant is one of the most popular subjects in gardens of every description. Even persons limited to the space of a window-sill may grow some in summer, either in a box or in pots, provided the situation is not too hot. Mignonette does not succeed so well when exposed to heat as it does if kept comparatively cool, the tendency, under the former conditions, being to produce seeds, and this renders the flowering period a short one. It is most largely cultivated from seed, but healthy cuttings may be readily rooted if it is desired to perpetuate any specially good form or variety. Outdoor culture in summer is of the simplest description. Seeds should be sown thinly, in shallow drills, or in any other way desired, during April and May, and be lightly covered with soil. When the young plants appear, and are large enough to handle, they should be thinned out, as this induces a much stronger growth in those left. These plants will flower in June and the two following months. Another later sowing should be made about July, for producing an autumn supply. Mignonette prefers a rich, rather heavy soil, and a cool, moist situation. If sown in poor, light ground, and in a position exposed to hot sunshine, the seeds possibly will not grow at all, or, if they do, the plants will be far inferior to those which can be treated more in accordance with their requirements. Watering must be freely practised throughout the summer, especially if the weather be more than usually dry. The flowers of Mignonette are amongst the most useful for cutting, as the racemes last so long in water, and emit an agreeable perfume.

Culture in Pots. Mignonette is most extensively cultivated in pots for winter and spring decoration of greenhouses, rooms, &c., its requirements being more fully met, as previously stated, by the cooler temperature then experienced. Tall standard plants are preferred by some cultivators, and seeds for their production are sown in small pots soon after midsummer, or sometimes long previous to this. The best plant in each pot is selected and grown on in an upright direction, the other smaller ones being removed at an early stage. Repotting may be practised as growth proceeds, until 8in. or 9in. pots are reached, if very large plants are desired. Careful training and watering are most necessary, as the shoots are very brittle, and, although the roots generally require plenty of water, anything approaching stagnancy is fatal. Mignonette is far more useful, and is extensively cultivated, for spring flowering in 5in. or 6in. pots. Seeds for the supply should be sown in the latter part of August, and again for a succession in September, using the pots wherein they are intended to grow and flower. The compost used should consist of about two parts loam, one of dried cow manure, and another of old sifted mortar rubbish. The latter ingredient is a most important one for this plant, and the addition of a little soot is also beneficial. All the pots used should be clean, dry, and properly drained. It does not matter how hard the compost is packed into them, provided it is united in a solid mass, and not rammed in layers. A few seeds should be distributed evenly over the surface, and lightly covered with a little sifted soil, similar to that of the bulk. The pots should then be watered, and placed in a shallow, cold frame, on a bottom of coal ashes, where they may remain until October, plenty of air being admitted in the meantime, and the plants thinned to about 1in. apart, when they are large enough to select the best. For winter quarters, the best place is a shelf near the glass in any light, airy house where such plants as Carnations, Bouvardias, &c., are grown, and a temperature of 50deg. to 55deg., with ventilation, is maintained. Failing such provision for Mignonette in houses, it is better to make the best of frames than to subject the plants to a high temperature, or close atmosphere--both most destructive to their well-being, and the prime causes of failure. Each plant must be provided with a small stick before it gets large enough to fall about, and from five to eight will be plenty for the size of pots above-mentioned. Water should only be sparely applied in winter, but never entirely withheld. As the days lengthen, the plants will start into growth freely, and then water may be given in abundance, even to the use of saucers in spring. When the flowers begin to expand, a little artificial manure, mixed with its bulk of dry loam, should be applied to the soil's surface, about once a week. This will materially assist in developing and lengthening the racemes.

Seed Saving. When Mignonette is only required for outside cultivation, or for cutting, it is not of so much importance whether the variety or strain represents its true characters or not, provided the plants are floriferous and the flowers sweetly scented. For pot culture, it is most desirable that they should be of a vigorous yet compact habit, and of a uniform strength throughout. If several varieties are grown near each other, the flowers will be almost certain to become cross-fertilised by insect agency, and the product will always degenerate rather than improve. Distinct and superior forms often owe their origin to a rigid selection being annually made of the very best plants for seed-bearing, and the weeding out before the flowering period of all showing the least inferiority. Nurserymen, doubtless, do all in their power to retail seeds true to character; but whenever pot culture of Mignonette is practised, and a good type is once obtained, the cultivator should rigidly weed out, from the first, plants of irregular growth, and save seed himself from the others, sufficient, at least, for growing in pots the following year. The standard of quality would be much improved, even in one season, by such a selection, and far less "weeding" would be required afterwards. The seed must be collected so soon as it begins turning brown, and laid out on paper, in a cool, airy room or shed, to dry, when it may be rubbed out, cleaned, and stored in paper bags. If allowed to get quite ripe before being collected, the best seeds will be lost, in consequence of the seed-vessels being always open at the apex, and naturally situated at an angle well suited for readily discharging their contents.

Varieties. Of these, there are several in cultivation, some having what are termed red, and others white, flowers. The old common type of Mignonette is well known, and is one of the most sweetly scented. The following is a selection from the best varieties. There is a double-flowered form in cultivation, which must be propagated from cuttings. Crimson King. Flowers bright red, sweetly scented; habit dwarf, vigorous, pyramidal. A new and distinct variety, most desirable for pot culture. Dwarf Erect. Flowers erect, produced in stout, densely-set racemes; habit dwarf and neat.

Garaway's White. Flowers white; racemes large and long. One of the best, either for outside culture or for pots.

Giant Pyramidal. Flowers reddish, sweetly-scented; racemes very large. The plant is of a stout pyramidal habit, and succeeds well outside. Golden Queen. Flowers golden-yellow, very distinct; habit dwarf and compact. An exceedingly fine Mignonette, of dense growth, very floriferous. Machet. A new dwarf variety, of French origin, having very fragrant flowers of a bright red colour. The habit is robust, and the racemes broad. Highly recommended for pot culture.

Miles' Hybrid Spiral. Flowers white, very fragrant, produced in dense racemes, sometimes exceeding 1ft. in length. The habit is dwarf and branching, and the variety, when obtained true, is one of the best in cultivation, especially for pots.

Parsons' White. Flowers nearly white, strongly scented; racemes long and well-formed. An excellent variety.

Queen Victoria. Flowers deep red, very fragrant, profuse; habit dwarf, branching. Fine and distinct.

MIKANIA (named after Joseph Mikan, 1743-1814, one Professor of Botany at Prague). SYN. Willugbaeya. ORD. Compositae. A large genus (about sixty species have been described) of stove, evergreen climbers, natives, for the most part, of tropical America, allied to Eupatorium, but distinguished in the flower-heads containing generally only four florets, and the involucre having as many nearly equal bracts. For culture, see stove species of Eupatorium. M. apiifolia (Apium-leaved). fl. heads yellowish, small, in lax corymbs. Summer. l. dark green, quinate, membranaceous, glabrous, evergreen; segments entire or pinnatifid. Brazil. A pretty climber. (I. H. 1885, 549.) M. Guaco (Guaco). fl.-heads pale blue. l. stalked, ovate, subacuminate, remotely toothed. South America, 1823. Climbing perennial. M. scandens (climbing).* fl.-heads yellowish-white, cylindrical, corymbose. Summer. l. opposite, cordate, glabrous, shining. Brazil, 1823. This slender climbing perennial is very suitable for growing over trellises, and similar places, in the open air, during the summer months.

MILDEW. A name sometimes applied to several kinds of microscopic fungi that live as parasites on various flowering plants, cultivated and uncultivated; it is, of course, on the former that their occurrence is of interest to the horticulturist. The name is believed to be connected with the German Mehl-thau, or Meal-dew, because of the appearance some Mildews give the affected parts of being sprinkled with flour or meal. Besides living on plants, the Mildews are also found on cloth, on paper, on leather, and even on glass; but the forms growing on these need not be further adverted to here. Nor is it necessary to dwell upon the Mildew of Wheat, Barley, and other grasses, which, if forming dark brown spots, is caused by a species of Puccinia (usually P. graminis); or, if the spots are orange, by the uredospores of the same fungi. The Mildews of most consequence in gardens are white, and form a coat all over the leaves and young shoots of the plants attacked by them. On microscopic inspection, this is found to consist of slender, creeping threads, which branch freely, and give off branches that rise erect into the air as slender filaments, made up of a single row of cells, of which the terminal ones are larger, oval, and break away from the tip backwards, to form spores, which serve for the reproduction of the fungi. Very many plants are liable to be attacked by this white coating, and there is reason to believe that there are many kinds of it, though all much alike. The various kinds are included, as species, under the genus Oidium; but they are known to be merely a stage in development of more highly developed fungi, belonging to Erisypheae. If some kinds of Oidium, e.g., those on Peas, on Hops, or on Roses, are watched, it will be found that, after a time, the surface becomes studded with small, yellowish objects, which soon grow darker in colour, and at length become quite black, and resemble grains of gunpowder, scattered abundantly over the Oidium. With the microscope these are seen to be fruits of the fungus. Each is a slightly-flattened sphere, with a thin, black wall, formed of cells (perithecium) surrounding several small transparent bladders (asci), each of which incloses two, four, or eight (rarely six) spores. These are believed to be the result of sexual reproduction. They are very small, and are easily carried about by the wind, or by other means. If they fall on a suitable host-plant, they push out a fine thread, which reproduces the Oidium stage once more. The threads of the Oidium lie on the outer surface of the plants (not penetrating among the cells, like the Potato Disease fungus, and many others), where they form a web, nourished by means of small branches (haustoria, or suckers), that penetrate into the outer cells (epiderm) of the plant, and absorb food from the cell contents. Some kinds of Oidium have not yet been traced to the sexually mature form, e.g., Oidium Tuckeri, which is often very hurtful to Vines; O. Balsamii, on Turnip leaves, &c. Besides these two, the following White Mildews, of which the fully-developed state is known, are, at times, destructive to garden plants; Sphaerotheca pannosa, in dense, grey patches, on Peach and Rose twigs and leaves; S. Castagnei, very injurious to Hops, as well as to many weeds; Podosphaera Oxyacanthae on Hawthorn twigs and leaves; Erisyphe Martii on Peas, and other leguminous plants, and on many weeds; E. communis and E. Cichoracearum, on various flowers; Microsphaera Berberidis, on Barberry leaves; M. Grossulariae, on Gooseberry bushes; and Phyllactinia suffulta, on many trees and shrubs.

Remedies. White Mildews, caused by Oidium, being the only kinds that directly concern horticulturists to any extent, the present remarks are restricted to these. As the parasites are external to the host-plants, they can be attacked directly, and can be eradicated without much injury to the latter. Sulphur has proved to be the most reliable means of destroying the fungus. Flowers of sulphur may be dusted over the leaves and other diseased parts; or it may be applied with a syringe, if mixed in water. If applied to bunches of grapes, the sulphur must, of course, be washed off before they are sent to the table or the market. Another useful application is prepared by boiling 1lb. of flowers of sulphur and 1lb. of quicklime, in five pints of water, in an earthen pot, for ten minutes. It should be constantly stirred while it is boiling, then allowed to settle, and the clear liquid poured off for use. The plants should be syringed with a mixture of this preparation with 100 times its bulk of water. Washing the greenhouse flues with a mixture of 1/4lb. each of flowers of sulphur and of quicklime, in three gallons of water, is also recommended. The fumes emitted under this treatment kill the fungus. The door of the house should be kept closed for about an hour, to retain the fumes, and then the place should be well aired. Ewing's Mildew Composition, much diluted (1oz. to 1 gallon of tepid water), is used with the syringe, and is also very effective. Mildew is apt to prove most destructive in ill-ventilated situations, and it may often be checked, or even prevented by attention to ventilation.

MILLA (named after J. Milla, a gardener to the Spanish Court, in Madrid). ORD. Liliaceae. A monotypic genus. The species is a hardy bulbous plant. It thrives well when placed in sunny spots in the open border, in good, well-drained, loamy soil. Propagated by seeds, or by offsets.

M. biflora (two-flowered).* fl. umbellate (in natural state solitary, or often twin); perianth snowy-white inside, greenish outside, salver-shaped; tube elongate-campanulate; limb flat, six-parted. August, continuing a long time in succession, and remaining open at night. l. cylindrical, subulate at apex, flstulose, glaucous, almost equal with the scape. h. 6in. Mexico. (B. R. 1555; F. d. S. 1459.) M. hyacinthina (Hyacinth-like). A synonym of Brodiaea lactea. M. ixioides (Ixia-like). A synonym of Calliprora lutea. MILLETTIA (named after J. A. Millet, a French botanist of the eighteenth century). SYN. Benebera. ORD. Leguminosae. A genus comprising about forty species of sometimes tall, climbing trees or shrubs, of which one inhabits Australia, and the rest the warmer parts of Asia or Africa. Flowers purple, pink, or whitish; racemes terminal, or at the apices of the branches, paniculate; standard ample, spreading or reflexed. Leaves impari-pinnate; leaflets often evergreen, penniveined and reticulate veined, and, for the most part, stipulate. The species described below is probably the only one yet introduced. For culture, see Dolichos.

M. megasperma (large-seeded).* fl. purple, in loose panicled racemes. l. pinnate, glabrous, glossy, dark green. Queensland, &c. A handsome, evergreen, woody climber, with the habit of Wistaria sinensis. (B. M. 6541.) MILLINGTONIA (named after Thomas Millington, an English botanist of the eighteenth century, and a writer on vegetable physiology). ORD. Bignoniaceae. A monotypic genus, the species being a handsome stove evergreen tree, with deeply cracked and spongy bark. For culture, see Jacaranda. M. hortensis (garden). fl. pure white, delightfully fragrant, numerous, large; corolla with a very long tube, divided into five segments, the two uppermost of which are more or less grown together; panicle cross-armed, ramifications horizontal, the first trichotomous, then dichotomous, with generally a simple flower in the fork. fr. divided into two cells by means of a partition running parallel with the direction of the valves. l. opposite, impari-pinnate; leaflets quite entire, 1in. to 3in. long. h. 80ft. Birma, 1820. (B. F. S. 249.) MILLIPEDES (Chilognatha). This group of Myriapoda is of greater importance to gardeners, and demands fuller consideration here, than their allies the Centipedes. Millipedes are usually nearly cylindrical, less often a good deal depressed and flattened, and the origins of the legs are usually brought very close to the middle line of the body below, instead of being rather widely separated. The legs are thus hidden from view below the body in the living animal; they are also short and individually weak, but are very numerous, though very far below the number indicated by the name Millipede, or Thousand-feet. The three rings immediately behind the head each bear one pair of legs; but each of the rings behind these seems, at first sight, to bear two pairs of legs. This is due to the rings of the abdomen becoming tightly joined together two and two, while the limbs remain useful for movement, and fully formed. the last pair are not enlarged or noticeable, as in the Centipedes. As in the former group, so in the Millipedes, the only kinds met with here are small, seldom, if ever, surpassing 2in. in length; but, among the species of warmer lands, many kinds are upwards of 6in. long, and are stout in proportion to their length. Almost all of this group are in the habit, when disturbed, of curling up the body into a spiral, so as to protect the head, with its various organs, from injury. The Millipedes do not possess poison-tubes. They feed, in great part, on decaying vegetable tissues, and they may frequently be met with among dead leaves and other rubbish. In gardens, they may often be found under, or in, flower-pots; and they do damage, at times, to the potted plants, as well as to fleshy roots and tubers in the soil, and to fallen fruits, or to Strawberries. Occasionally they also injure germinating seeds of various cultivated plants, such as Beans, Turnips, &c. It may, at times, be found necessary to diminish their numbers where they are very plentiful. The most hurtful kinds are found to be Julus guttulatus, J. terrestris, and Polydesmus complanatus--the last-named being the flattened Millipede so abundant everywhere.

Remedies. These are seldom pressingly required. Deep trenching tends to lessen any superabundance. Traps may be used, in the form of pieces of carrot, or fallen fruits, laid on the soil. These should be frequently examined, and the Millipedes on them destroyed.

MILTONIA (named after Viscount Milton, afterwards Earl Fitzwilliam). ORD. Orchideae. A genus comprising about a score species of very beautiful; epiphytal orchids, with showy flowers. They are, with the exception of one from Peru, all Brazilian, and are allied to Oncidium and Odontoglossum, but distinguished from both by the short column. Flowers large; sepals and petals alike; lip undivided, sessile, continuous with the column, marked with interrupted lines near its base; column short, with two auricles; scapes radical, few-flowered. Leaves narrow, flat. The species are dwarf in habit, somewhat rapid growers, and profuse blossomers. As a general rule, amateurs are rarely successful in getting foliage beyond a sickly yellow colour--a drawback which precludes the more extensive culture of these plants. Miltonias can be grown with green leaves and yet produce an abundance of blossoms; but it is not in every orchid house that just the right accommodation can be supplied. The plants like exposure to the light; but, in order to prevent the leaves turning yellow by the action of the sun, a certain amount of shade is necessary. They require an intermediate temperature and an abundant supply of water, the result of which will be green foliage and plenty of flowers. Some species, such as M. spectabilis, do well in a pan suspended from the roof of the house. These plants should not at any season be allowed to suffer from drought; indeed, they must never be kept dry. The pans should be thoroughly drained, and the plants potted in a compost of half-chopped sphagnum and good peat, to which may be added, with considerable advantage, some mediumsized lumps of charcoal. Miltonias should be kept in the Brazilian house when growing; and in winter, when at rest, they should be removed to the Cattleya house. Propagated by dividing the pseudo-bulbs, when they commence growth. M. anceps (two-edged). fl. dark olive, about 2in. in diameter; lip streaked and dotted with reddish-purple, on a white ground. July. 1851. (B. M. 5572.) M. Bluntii (Blunt's). fl., sepals and petals whitish-yellow, with some large purple-cinnamon blotches, chiefly in their centre; lip white, with a purple area at the base. 1879. An elegant species.

M. candida (white).* fl., sepals and petals yellowish, spotted with rich brown; lip white, tinged with rosy-pink, remarkably undulated or wavy; scape radical, five or six-flowered. Autumn. Pseudo-bulbs ovate, bearing upon the summit two narrow, light green leaves. h. 9in. 1830. A strong, erect-growing species, and one of the handsomest of the genus. Two forms occur in cultivation: in grandiflora, the flowers are larger and brighter, with the column purple and the lip white; in flavescens (B. M. 3793), both column and lip are yellowish.

M. Clowesii (Clowes').* fl. about 3in. across; sepals and petals thick, spreading, ground colour yellow, barred and blotched with rich brown; lip flat, cordate, of a rich purple at the base, and white at the tip; scape erect, many-flowered. Autumn. Pseudobulbs ovate, bearing long, sword-shaped, light green leaves. 1840. A very beautiful and remarkably distinct erect-growing plant. (B. M. 4109.) The variety major differs from the type only in its larger size and more showy blossoms.

M. C. Lamarcheana (Mons. Oscar Lamarche de Rossius'). A synonym of M. Lamarcheana.

M. cuneata (wedge-lipped).* fl. nearly 4in. in diameter; sepals and petals dark chocolate, tipped, and sometimes transversely barred, with tawny yellowish-green; lip pure white, tinged with pink near the base, differing in form from that of M. candida in being much more narrowed to the base, and scarcely curled at the margin; scape erect, four or five-flowered. Early summer. Pseudo-bulbs somewhat conical. h. 1ft. 1843. An erect-growing species, well deserving more general attention than it now receives; although not so showy as several others, it is, never-theless a handsome plant. (I. H. vii. 237.) M. Endresii (Senor Endres'). fl. creamy-white, each petal having a rose-coloured blotch at its base; sepals also with smaller blotches at the base; lip pandurate, dilated, four-lobed; scape slender, five-flowered. l. linear-ligulate, acute. Pseudobulbs oblong, one-leaved. A difficult plant to grow, and now rare in cultivation. As there already was a Miltonia Warscewiczii, it has been necessary to give another specific name. Senor Endres was the first to introduce the species in a living state to this country. (B. M. 6163, under name of Odontoglossum Warscewiczii.) M. festiva (gay). fl., sepals and petals ochre-coloured, narrow; lip large, pointed in front, purplish-lilac, with radiating streaks of deep purple; peduncles two-flowered. 1868. A very showy species, resembling M. spectabilis in growth and general appearance.

M. flavescens (yellowish).* fl., sepals and petals yellow, linear lanceolate, acuminate; lip sessile, yellow, spotted with blood colour; bracts straw-colour, glumaceous, over 2in. long, scarcely shorter than the flowers. June. l., primordial ones short, linear-oblong; perfect ones linear-ensiform, obtuse, apiculate, pale green. Rhizomes creeping. 1830. (B. R. 1627, under name of Cyrtochilum flavescens.) M. Lamarcheana (Mons. Oscar Lamarche de Rossius').* fl., sepals and petals yellow, with broad cinnamon bars; lip cordate at base, abruptly broader from the middle; base with an obscure globular tumour; front part with seven keels, whitish-ochre, with a broad, pandurate blotch before the keels. 1881. This species is closely allied to M. candida. (B. H. 1876, 13, under name of M. Clowesii Lamarcheana.) M. Phalaenopsis (Phalaenopsis).* fl., sepals and petals pure white, about 2in. across; lip white, with a large portion of the centre rich purplish-crimson, and a yellow base; spike slender, from one to three-flowered, shorter than the leaves. May. l. slender, grass-like, pale green or glaucous. Pseudo-bulbs ovoid, of a very pale whitish-green. 1850. A very distinct and handsome species, seldom exceeding 8in. in height. (B. O. 3, under name of Odontoglossum Phaloenopsis.) M. P. luxurians (luxuriant). fl., lip having two large crimson blotches on the front lobe, some crimson streaks on the side lobes, and the callus broadly bordered with yellow. 1881. A free-growing, floriferous variety. (I. H. 417.) M. P. solare (solar). fl., anterior part of lip very broad, basilar portion broad, nearly circular, and of a yellow colour, with stripes, all with outward points of purple. 1879. A curious and interesting variety. M. Regnelli (Regnell's).* fl., sepals and petals soft rosy-white, bordered with white, broad, spreading; lip flat, lilac-rose; scape erect, as long as the leaves, many-flowered. Autumn. Pseudo-bulbs somewhat conical, bearing narrow pale green leaves upon their summit. h. 1ft. 1864. A very desirable erect-growing species. (B. M. 5436.) There is a handsome variety, purpurea, with lip of a rich rosy-purple hue.

M. Roezli (Roezl's). fl., sepals pearly-white; petals stained with a rich vinous-purple at the base; lip large, flat, bilobed in front, white stained with yellow at the base, and ornamented more or less with streaks of chocolate-brown; racemes three or four-flowered. Autumn. l. narrowly-lanceolate. Pseudo-bulbs 2 1/2in. high. 1873. In general habit and appearance there is little difference between this species and M. vexillaria, but the sepals and petals are longer than in the latter. (B. M. 6085: B. O. 30, under name of Odontoglossum Roezlii.) M. R. album (white). fl. large; lip broad, obcordate, pure white, with a small yellow crest. 1875.

M. Russellianum (Duke of Bedford's). fl., sepals and petals dark purple, margined with green, ovate-oblong; lip lilac, with purple disk, margined with white; raceme few-flowered, radical. l. broad, ligulate-lanceolate, green, spreading. Pseudo-bulbs ovate, costate, two-leaved. 1835. (B. R. 1830, under name of Oncidium Russellianum.) M. spectabilis (showy).* fl., very showy, from 3in. to 4in. across; sepals and petals somewhat short, pure white, often tinged with rose at the base; lip very large, of a rosy-violet, margined with white; scape one-flowered. Autumn. Pseudo-bulbs produced upon a creeping stem, considerably compressed, and bearing a pair of thin, strap-shaped leaves upon their summit. h. 6in. to 8in. 1835. This species is by far the best known of the genus, and, when well grown, is a most beautiful plant. (B. M. 4204.) There are several varieties of more or less excellence.

M. s. bicolor (two-coloured). fl. white; lip white, with a blotch of violet in the upper part. August. 1839. A handsome variety, but with a stronger habit and larger flowers than the type.

M. s. Moreliana (Morel's).* fl., sepals and petals deep purple; lip also of a rich deep purple, streaked and shaded with rose. In habit of growth this closely resembles the type; indeed, it can only be distinguished by the flowers, which are even larger than those of M. spectabilis. (B. M. 4425.) M. s. rosea (rose-coloured). fl., lip rose. SYN. M. Warneri. M. s. virginalis (virgin). fl. pure white, with a spot of rose. M. vexillaria (standard).* fl. variable in size, in three or four flowered racemes; perianth quite flat; sepals sub-equal, obovate-oblong or obovate-cuneate, sub-acute or truncate, flat, rather recurved, very pale rose; petals larger or smaller than the sepals, deep rose, with a broad white margin; lip white, suffused with deep rose on the disk of each half, and pale yellow, streaked with red, on the claw; column very short. l. narrowly-elliptic-lanceolate, from a narrower sheathing base, acute, keeled, deep green above, paler beneath. Pseudo-bulbs narrow-oblong, compressed. 1872. (B. M. 6037, under name of Odontoglossum vexillarium.) M. Warneri (Warner's). A synonym of M. spectabilis rosea. M. Warscewiczii (Warscewicz's).* fl., sepals and petals bright cinnamon, tipped with yellow, undulate at the margins; lip flat, of a soft violet-purple, white in front, tinged or blotched occasionally with brownish-yellow; scape, in vigorous specimens erect and branched (differing, in this respect, from most other members of the genus), many-flowered. Under favourable conditions, it will blossom twice during the year. Pseudo-bulbs long, much flattened or compressed, dark green, bearing two leaves. Peru, 1869. A beautiful, erect-growing species, requiring less heat than the Brazilian species, and subject, apparently, to considerable variation in the colour of its flowers in different specimens. It was first sold under the name of Oncidium Weltoni, and has also been known in gardens as Oncidium fuscatum and Odontoglossum Weltoni. (B. M. 5843.) MIMETES (from mimos, a mimic; referring to its resemblance to an allied genus). Including Orothamnus. ORD. Proteaceoe. A genus comprising fourteen species of greenhouse, evergreen shrubs, natives of South Africa. Flower-heads hermaphrodite; perianth narrow, often incurved; limb ovoid or oblong. Nuts sessile, ovoid, glabrous. Leaves few, sessile, entire, or rarely dentate at apex. The undermentioned species, probably the only one yet introduced, thrives in a peat and loam soil, with plenty of moisture. Cuttings of the ripened shoots should be taken, towards autumn, or in the spring, before growth commences, and inserted in sand, under a glass, without bottom heat--at least, until a swelling occurs at their base.

M. Zeyheri (Zeyher's). fl.-heads one to three or more at the extremity of a branch, drooping; bracts glabrous, similar to the leaves; leaves of involucre petaloid, rose-red, veined, villous; laciniae of the calyx villous. July. l. alternate on the branches, sessile, imbricated, numerous, entire, elliptic, membranous, externally convex, within concave, 1in. to 1 1/2in. long, margined with purple. h. 6ft. to 8ft. (B. M. 4357, under name of Orothamnus Zeyheri.) MIMOSA (from mimos, a mimic; the leaves of many of the species mimic animal sensibility). Sensitive Plant. ORD. Leguminosoe. This genus, as now understood, comprises about 230 species of herbs, rarely tall climbing shrubs, or unarmed or prickly trees, natives, for the most part, of the warmer parts of America, a few inhabiting tropical Africa and the East Indies, but none are yet known from Australia. Flowers small, sessile, in globose heads or cylindrical spikes; peduncles axillary, solitary, or fasciculate. Leaves bipinnate, often sensitive, with one or more pairs of pinnae, each pinna bearing two or more pairs of leaflets. Mimosas thrive in a compost of loam and peat, in equal proportions, to which a small portion of sand may be added. Propagated by seeds, sown, during spring, in a hotbed; or by cuttings of rather firm young shoots, inserted in sandy soil, in heat. The species commonly known as the "Sensitive Plant" is M. pudica, whereas the true one is M. sensitiva. M. pudica is usually treated as an annual, but, under stove treatment, it assumes a perennial character.

M. marginata (margined).* fl. in purplish heads on peduncles at least twice as long as the leaves. Summer. l. pinnate; leaflets with ciliated margins. Extra-tropical South America. A handsome prostrate shrub, producing long slender shoots, which have an elegant appearance, if allowed to hang down from the rafters of a conservatory.

M. pudica (chaste).* Humble Plant. fl. red. Summer. l. somewhat digitately pinnate, with four pinnae, each pinna bearing many pairs of linear leaflets. Stem herbaceous, prickly, with the petioles and peduncles more or less beset with stiff hairs or bristles. h. 1ft. Tropical America (naturalised in many parts of tropical Africa and Asia), 1638. A well-known plant, even more sensitive than the true M. sensitiva. (A. B. R. 544.) M. scandens (climbing). A synonym of Entada scandens. M. sensitiva (sensitive). fl. purple. Summer. l., leaflets ovate, acute, clothed with adpressed hairs beneath, but glabrous above, not so sensitive to the touch as those of M. pudica. Stem and petioles prickly. h. 3ft. to 6ft. Tropical America, 1648. An evergreen shrub. (B. R. 25.) MIMULUS (from mimo, an ape; in reference to the ringent corolla). Monkey Flower. Including Diplacus. ORD. Scrophularineoe. A genus comprising about forty species of hardy or half-hardy, erect or decumbent, glabrous, pilose, or viscid, herbs, rarely tall or shrubby. They are dispersed over the extra-tropical or mountainous parts of America, Asia, Australia, and Africa, being numerous in Western America; but the genus is totally absent from Europe and the whole Mediterranean region. Flowers axillary, solitary, pedicellate, superior ones sometimes racemose; corolla bilabiate; upper lip erect or reflexed, bilobate; lower lip trilobate. Leaves opposite, undivided, entire, or toothed. The species are showy and ornamental, and their culture is very simple. All the herbaceous species thrive best in a rather moist situation, and are well worth naturalising in damp borders, by the margins of streams, and in similar situations. The shrubby species do best under pot culture in a cool greenhouse. The seed, being generally very small, must be sown on the surface, and only very lightly covered with soil. When the seedlings are 1in. or so high, they should be transferred singly to 6in. pots, and again into the next larger size just previous to flowering. An excellent compost for pot culture is two parts loam, one leaf soil, and one cow manure. The common Musk, M. moschatus, is a well-known and favourite plant, both for outside borders and for pot culture in spring. Its variety, Harrisonii, is a strong-growing, large-flowered form, which has become equally as popular as the type. It makes an excellent pot plant. Propagation of Mimulus may also be effected by cuttings and by divisions.

M. aurantiacus (orange). A synonym of M. glutinosus. M. cardinalis (cardinal).* fl. red, large; peduncles longer than the leaves. June to August. l. stem-clasping, ovate, with erosely toothed margins. h. 1ft. to 3ft. Oregon to California and Mexico, 1835. An erect, villous, hardy perennial. (B. M. 3560; S. B. F. G. ser. ii. 358.) M. Fremontii (Fremont's). fl. crimson, with spreading limb. l. spathulate or oblong. Stems 2in. to 4in. high. California, 1882. Half-hardy or greenhouse perennial, suitable for pot culture.

M. glutinosus (glutinous).* fl., corolla usually buff or salmon-colour, obscurely bilabiate. Flowers nearly all the year round. l. linear-lanceolate, sub-connate, serrulate, acute. h. 5ft. California. A very elegant, erect, branching, greenhouse shrub. SYN. Diplacus glutinosus. (B. M. 354, under name of M. aurantiacus.) M. g. puniceus (scarlet).* fl. varying from orange-red to scarlet; corolla lobes commonly obcordate. Western California. (B. M. 3655, under name of Diplacus puniceus.) M. guttatus (speckled). A synonym of M. luteus guttatus. M. Lewisii (Lewis').* fl. rose-coloured; corolla lobes spreading; peduncles longer than the leaves. August. l. amplexicaul, oblong, or rarely ovate, acute, somewhat toothed, many-nerved. h. 1ft. California, &c., 1831. Hardy, herbaceous, erect. SYN. M. roseus (under which name it is figured in B. M. 3353, B. R. 1591, L. B. C. 1976, and S. B. F. G. ser. ii. 210). M. luteus (yellow).* Common Monkey Flower. fl. yellow, with two dark marks in the mouth of the corolla. Summer. l. ovate or oblong, coarsely toothed. Stems ascending, stout, hollow, glabrous or glandular. h. 9in. to 12in. Chili, 1826. Though generally treated as a half-hardy or hardy annual, this species is, under favourable conditions, of perennial duration. (A. B. R. 661; B. M. 1501.) Mr. Hemsley remarks, in his "Handbook of Hardy Trees, Shrubs, and Herbaceous Plants": "M. variegatus (SYN. M. rivularis,) and M. guttatus are considered by some botanists as varieties of M. luteus, and by others as distinct species; and the fact that hybrids between these forms and M. luteus are frequent, seems to strengthen the former supposition. M. variegatus (L. B. C. 1872) is a Chilian form, having much larger, richly coloured flowers, irregularly blotched with crimson, maroon, or purple, on a yellow or white ground, sometimes uniformly yellow or reddish. M. guttatus is a Californian form near the last, in which the flowers are spotted with purple-brown on a yellow ground. The intermediate varieties of these three forms are numerous and beautiful." (B. M. 3336, 3363; B. R. 1030, 1796; S. B. F. G. ser. ii. 406.) M. l. Neuberti is a strain with double flowers. M. l. nobilis is a dwarf floriferous garden strain with "hose-in-hose" flowers varying in colour. M. l. cupreus (coppery).* fl. copper-coloured, purplish-brown, or crimson, almost regular, with the limb of the corolla velvety and spotted. Summer. l. ovate-lanceolate, toothed; upper ones sessile. h. 8in. to 12in. Chili, 1861. (B. M. 5478; R. G. 422.) This species is the origin of a great number of very beautiful hybrids, known as M. maculosus.

M. moschatus (musk).* Musk. fl. yellow, small, nearly regular. June to September. l. petiolate, ovate, or ovate-lanceolate, a little toothed, rounded at the base, rather pilose, and somewhat clammy. Stems diffuse, clothed with woolly villi. North-western America, 1826. A well-known and favourite little hardy perennial. (B. R. 1118.) M. primuloides (Primula-like).* fl. yellow, ringent, solitary, on axillary, scape-like, filiform peduncles, 3in. to 4in. long. l. obversely lanceolate or obovate, many-nerved. California, &c. Hardy tufted perennial. (R. G. 1009.) M. radicans (rooting). fl. white, with a violet blotch; upper lip small, bifid, lower large and three-lobed. l. small, densely packed, obovate, obtuse, hairy or glabrous, 1/4in. long. Stem creeping, with short leafy branches. New Zealand, 1883. A very pretty and attractive hardy perennial bog plant. M. repens (creeping). fl. lilac, with a yellow-spotted throat, comparatively large. l. opposite, ovate or oblong. Australia, 1864. A dwarf greenhouse or half-hardy perennial. (B. M. 5423.) M. rivularis (river-bank). A synonym of M. luteus variegatus. M. roseus (rosy). A synonym of M. Lewisii.

M. variegatus (variegated). A synonym of M. luteus variegatus.