We understand that the species grows very freely in 
the open border in the summer; but it will no doubt suc- 
ceed with more certainty in the conservatory, or in a pit 
appropriated to the cultivation of Cape Bulbs. It produces 
great quantities of little offsets, by which it is propagated ; 
so that it will soon be a common plant, 
Some suspicions have been entertained of its being a 
hybrid plant; while we have even heard of its being 
pronounced the Gladiolus speciosus of Thunberg. With 
regard to the first conjecture, we would only ask from 
what known species can it be supposed that so very 
remarkable a plant, unlike as it is to any known species, 
could possibly have sprung? The latter can scarcely have 
been the notion of any Botanist. We cannot, however, 
doubt that it is a wild natural species. 
Dr. Hooker, in figuring it, laments that he is unable 
to convey any idea of the brilliancy of its colours. We 
cannot hope to succeed where so distinguished a draughts- 
man feels dissatisfied with his success. The colours are 
indeed splendid beyond any thing that can be expressed, 
except by the most elaborate miniature painting. 
The leaves and stem, taken together, are between 3 and 
4 feet high. The flowers have a ground of bright yellow, 
covered with fine vermilion streaks, such as might be drawn 
with the point of a needle, and these run together so much 
at the edges as to form a margin of a deep even tint. 
J. Li 
