AFRICAN SPURGE: A genus of the monogynia order, belonging to the pentandria clasps of plants; and in the natural method ranking with those of which the order is doubtful. The corolla is pentapetalous, the nectarium crown-shaped above the germs; there are five capsules coiled; the seeds hooded. There are nine species; of which the most remarkable are the hirtula, with narrow hairy leaves; and the oppositiflora, with leaves placed in the form of a cross. The first is a very handsome shrub, growing to the height of five or six feet: the stalks are of a fine coral colour: the leaves come out alternately on every side of the branches, and are narrow-pointed and hairy: the flowers are produced in small clusters at the end of the shoots, and are of a white colour. They are succeeded by fleshy seed-vessels having five corners; in each of which corners is a cell, containing one smooth, shining, oblong, black seed; these seed-vessels abound with a resin which emits a grateful scent, as doth also the whole plant.—The second species rises to the height of three or four feet: the branches are slender, and produced from the stem very irregularly; the leaves are placed crossways; the flowers are produced at the ends of the branches, between the leaves: the plants continue a long time in flower, and make a fine appearance when they are intermixed with other exotics in the open air. Both species are propagated by cuttings; which may be planted during any of the summer-months in pots, and plunged into a moderate hotbed, where they should be shaded from the sun, and frequently watered. In about two months they will have taken root; when each should be transplanted into a small pot where they are to remain; but during winter, like most other exotic plants, they must be preserved in a greenhouse.