Tas. 6739. 
GLADIOLUS Qvuartinianvs. 
Native of Tropical Africa. 
: Nat. Ord. In1pEx%.—Tribe Ix1Em. 
Genus GLapiotus, Linn.; (Benth. et Hook. f. Gen, Pl. vol. iii. p. 709.) 
GLapiotus Quartinianus ; cormo globoso, tunicis fibrosis, caule simplici tereti 
3—4-pedali, foliis productis circiter 3 anguste ensiformibus acuminatis rigide 
coriaceis, floribus 4-6 laxe spicatis, spathe valvis magnis lanceolatis herbaceis, 
floribus magnis splendide luteo-rubris, tubo elongato infundibulari-cylindrico, 
limbi segmentis 2 superioribus exterioribus oblongis acutis interiori superiori 
obovato obtuso minute cuspidato dorso convexo, 3 inferioribus oblongis acutis, 
interioribus flore expanso patulis, inferiori valde decurvato, genitalibus limbo 
distincte brevioribus, capsulis oblongis obtuse lobatis, seminibus discoideis late 
alatis. 
G. Quartinianus, A. Rich. Fl. Abyss. vol. ii. p. 307; Baker in Journ. Linn. Soc. 
vol. xvi. p. 176. 
G. natalensis, Klatt, Erganz, p. 6, ex parte, non Reinw. 
This fine species appears to be widely spread in Tropical 
Africa. It was originally described from specimens 
gathered in Abyssinia by M. Quartin Dillon, after whom it 
was named; and we have since received it from that 
country from Mansfield Parkyns, Esq. It was found in 
_ Angola by Dr. Welwitsch; in the Zambesi country by Sir 
John Kirk; by Dr. Schweinfurth both in the Djur country 
and Niam-niam land, and by the Rev. Mr. Wakefield in the 
_ Nyika country. Our drawing was made from specimens 
sent by Sir John Kirk, which flowered at Kew last October. 
_ By Dr. Klatt, in his latest paper, it is united with the well- 
known Cape G. psittacinus, Hook (G. natalensis, Reinw.). 
To me it seems to be quite different from the Natal plant, 
_ which is excellently figured, Bot. Mag. tab. 3032, both in its 
leaves and flowers, and to be nearer to G. Cooperi, Hook. in 
Bot. Mag. tab. 6202. I believe this is the first time it has 
ever been introduced into cultivation, and it certainly has 
a claim to take rank amongst the finest species of this 
beautiful genus. 
FEBRUARY Ist, 1884. 
