been extensively distributed. Few, if any, of the order excel 
it in brilliancy; nor indeed is it easy to point out so lively 
a contrast of colour as that afforded by the vivid scarlet of 
the outside of its bivalve calyx, and the snowy interior of 
that organ and the petals. 
Our drawing was made in the Nursery of Mr. Glendinning 
of Turnham Green. 
Those who are desirous of forming a collection of those 
beautiful plants, will find a useful account of them in the 
2nd part of the Journal of the Horticultural Society, where 
some good directions for their proper management are given 
by Mr. Donald, from which the following are extracts :— 
“In regard to their cultivation I may mention that 
Begonias are all stove plants, and that they enjoy a humid 
atmosphere of about 80° in sumner, with a slight shade to 
break the rays of the mid-day sun. In winter the atmos- 
phere should be kept dry, especially in cloudy weather, and 
the temperature allowed to fall as low as 58°. Although 
B. Evansiana and others will stand in a greenhouse, still 
even these species are much benefited by heat and moisture 
during the early part of the season. 
‘ As Begonias are generally intermix“d with other plants, 
and receive a similar supply of water both in summer and 
winter, they may well present a sickly appearance. There 
are few plants that require a more liberal supply during 
summer than they do; indeed some of the robust growing 
sorts will flourish with their pots half immersed in water ; 
but, like other plants, they require a season of rest, at which 
time comparatively little moisture is required. This period 
is clearly pointed out by nature. In October all the species 
with which I am acquainted begin to shew that water should 
then be gradually withheld: if it is continued, some begin to 
drop their leaves, others to decay at the root or assume a 
languid appearance ; therefore it is obvious that they should 
be kept dry from the 1st of November to the 1st of February. 
During that time if water is given once or twice a week it 
will be sufficient, and the herbaceous sorts may be kept quite 
dry. Although many species remain green and healthy in 
winter, the growth they make is but trifling, nor should they 
be induced to grow, for if they are deprived of the season 
which nature has provided for their rest, the best of manage- 
ment will not compensate for it in twelve months afterwards.” 
