• ^ 



obtained it for descnption, was not in a state to induce us to 

 attempt to add any fiirther particulars to Mr. Diyander's ac- 

 count ; the small bractes had all fallen off; and the flowei-s 

 withered. We observed that the upper stipules were 

 near an inch in length, oblong-,^ with a longish subulate 

 point, membranous or less succulent than the leaves, the 

 lower ones smaller and more tapered. 



This extensive genus, or natural order, as it is made by 

 some botanists, is among tiie many whose affinity with other 

 vegetable groups has not yet been satisfactorily demon- 

 strated; it has therefore no settled place in any of the na- 

 tural systems. The species are traly monoicous, having 

 flowers of two different configurations mixed together in 

 the same bunch, those of one kind destined to bear the 

 stamens alone, those of the other placed on a germen sup- 

 porting the pistils only. The latter are of five petals instead 

 of four, and^ha-d not expanded in our specimen. 



The title of humills was applied under a false impression, 

 the species having been described and determined from a 

 yearling plant, before it was known that it would survive 

 another season, and grow up to the height of two feet. 



The wliole genus is tropical, and belongs chiefly to 

 Asia and America. No species has been found on the con- 

 tinent of Africa, though three are native of the adjacent 

 islands. The present comes from the West Indies, where it 

 was observed by Mr. Alex. Anderson. It was first cultivated 

 in this country in 1 788, by Messrs. Lee and Kennedy, of the 

 Hammei-smith nureery. 



Jussieu, in a summary of the general habit of the species, 

 chai*acterizes them as plants that belong naturally to lakes, 

 some few suffrutescent, but the greater portion herbaceous 

 with a leafy stem or else a naked scape. The whole genus 

 has something both of the habit and taste of the Sorrels. 



We have omitted in our synonymy the Begonia humilts 

 of Bonplaud, the stem being roughly fiirred in that, and 

 the foliage deeply indented; it seems to be either the 

 hirsuta of this genus, or a species more nearly allied to that 

 jthan to the present. The inflorescence differs also in some 

 respects. 



The drawing was taken at the nunsery of Messrs. Lod- 

 diges and Sons, Hackney, the only place in which we have 

 ever met with it. 



a A stamen-bearing flowen h A pistil-bearing flower, c The same 

 with the petals removed; showing the germen, style, and stigmas. 



