OBLIQUE-LEAVED BEGONIA, 



O R, 



BEGONIA OBLIQUA. 



The oUiquc4eaved Begonia is native of America, and was introduced into our hot-houses in the 

 year 1777, by Dr. WiUiam Brown. This ornamental shruh, ^d^ch rises from three to five feet 

 has numerous leaves, obHque, very smooth, laterally heart-shaped, waved, terminating acute Its 

 >r.^m afford a beautiful example of the Sexes of Plants, being male and female. The male flowers 

 are discriminated by having only iom petals, the upper and under are large, and the side petals 

 small, all inversely cordate. In the centre of the flower are the numerous stamina. The female 

 flotuers are readily distinguished by having five, equal, lanceolate, petals, and a trieuspidate pistillum 

 m the centre, with the germen, or seed-vessel, three-winged, inferior. Nature, as if extremely 

 solicitous for this enchanting work of her hand, has with tender care involved the embryo-flowers 

 within a fine membranaceous //;;., or hraetea, whose office of protection being served, drops 

 leaving the central parts of the floivers (or organs for reproduction) protected by their petals' 

 I he malejloivers are in clusters, and occupy the superior part of the plant, for the more favourable 

 dispersion of the fructifying ;,^//e;, ; while \h^ female floxvers are found beneath on dichotomous or 

 forked, peduncles, or stalks. The Begonia comes under the class Moncecia of Linnaeus, order 

 PoLYANDRiA, and in the refqrmed system. Class Many Stamina, Order Stamen-Flowers 

 AND Pistil-flowers, on the same Plant. 



Where mid Columbia's gaily-tinctur'd skies 



Her mountains blue in distant ranges rise, 



And o'er the deepening shades and crystal springs, 



Triumphant Cupid waves his purple wings, 



The fair Begonia in her verdant bower 



With conscious blushes owns his sovereign power: 



Conceals her secret wish by coy disdain; 



Yet eyes with look oblique some fav'rite swain : 



Around her soft retreat, with joy elate, 



Her numerous Lovers urge the gay debate, 



Besiege the easy Fair with honey 'd tales. 



And tell their passion to the laughing Gales, 



In frolic mirth their hopes and fears impart. 



And win by turns her dissipated heart *. . . . 



So Galatea from her shepherd swain 



Tripp'd archly wanton o'er the flowery plain, 



And laughing soft, with well- dissembled mien, ' ^ 



Flew to the shades, yet wiMng to he deen. 



Dr. Shaw. 



* Linn.us characterises the Begonia thus, Folia cordata, altero latere obliterate. Having Le.wbs hearl-.haped, one Lol-e nearly obliterated. 



