Tab. 6252. 
BEGONIA Davisil. 
Native of Peru. 
Nat. Ord. Brconracea&. 
Genus Brconra, Linn. (Benth. and Hook. Ff. Gen. Plant. vol.i. p.841). 
Brconta (Huszia) Davisii; herbacea, acaulis, radice tuberoso, foliis oblique 
ovato-cordatis subacutis supra nitidis pilosis pilis sparsis erectis rigidis mar- 
ginibus leviter lobulatis crenulatisque, nervis basi radiantibus, costa pen- 
ninervi, petiolo brevi robusto hirsuto, scapis folia excedentibus apice 3-floris 
rubris, bracteis late ovatis membranaceis“ciliatis coccineis, floribus longi- 
uscule pedicellatis, tetrapetalis coccineis ¢ majoribus, petalis 2 exterioribus 
late ovatis, interioribus oblongis latioribus, staminibus 8-10 brevibus 
declinatis, antheris oblongis filamenta eequantibus, fl. 2 ovario 3-ptero, 
alis lateralibus brevibus angulis obtusis, dorsali elongato-triangulari acuta, 
stylis 3, stigmatibus brevibus hippocrepiformibus, placenta bifida. 
B. Davisii, Hort. Veitch. 
The Andean Begonias of the group to which B. Veitchii, 
(tab. 5663), B. roswflor (tab. 5680, and B. Clarkei, 
tab. 5675), though all discovered within the last ten or 
twelve years, have already with their hybrids (inter se 
and with others) become the most brilliant ornaments of 
the conservatory and rock-garden. To these must now be 
added the subject of the present plate, which, from its com- 
pact habit and brilliant colouring, will probably eclipse the 
others. It was discovered in Peru, near Chupe, at an eleva- 
tion of 10,000 feet, by Mr. Davis when collecting for Messrs. 
Veitch, and it flowered in their establishment in July of 
the present year. 
Under B. Veitchii (tab. 5668) I stated my expectation that 
it would in all probability prove hardy in the South-West 
of England, it having withstood a temperature of 25° Fahr. in 
Mr. Veitch’s gardens ; neither it, however, nor its allies have 
proved capable of withstanding the combined effects of cold 
and damp on the rock-garden at Kew, where, after flowering 
superbly during the summer months, they disappeared before 
the following spring. As B. Davisii inhabits the same 
county and elevation as B. Veitchii, it may be expected to be - 
tender. There is fortunately no difficulty in housing the 
tuberous rooted Begonias of ‘this class during winter; their 
