dark purple, in Lindley’s plant ; in Paxton’s and that now under 
consideration (and we fear we must add our plant given at Tas. 
4002), the leaves are throughout atro-sanguineous. Although 
formerly treated as a greenhouse plant, it has since proved per- 
fectly hardy ; is easily increased by dividing its perennial roots, 
which are somewhat stoloniferous, and it is a truly splendid or- 
nament to our flower-beds. 
Descr. Roof perennial. Stems herbaceous, erect, two to three 
feet high, firm, moderately stout, furrowed, dark reddish-purple, 
glabrous, as is every part of the plant, and shining. Zeaves lan- 
ceolate, acuminate, sessile, serrated ; lower ones subspathulate, a 
span and more long, gradually becoming smaller and more ta- 
-pering towards the upper part of the plant, and among the 
flowers passing gradually into dracteas: all of a singularly dark, 
atro-sanguineous colour, like that of some kinds of beet. a- 
ceme terminal, elongated, leafy, very handsome, from the large, 
numerous, brilliant, scarlet flowers. Pedicels solitary from the 
axils of the superior leaves or bracteas, blood-red, as is the 
calyx, of which the tude is short, hemispherical, furrowed: the 
lobes subulate, erect, as long as the tube of the corolla, and ap- 
pressed to it. Corolla with its upper lip of two, linear-lan- 
ceolate, erect segments: lower very large, of three, spreading, 
ovate lobes. 
Fig. 1. Lower leaf :—nat. size. 2. Flower deprived of the corolla :—magnified. 
ee ee er Roe en eer 
