leaves of ficifolia, the latter has sometimes the leaves as broad 
and little lobed as those of A. rosea. Dr. Stapf, who knows | 
both in the East, informs me that the Oriental Althwas 
have been too much multiplied, and that considering that — 
A. ficifolia, like rosea, is very much a plant of cultivation, 
occurring in corn-fields, &c., it may well be a derivative 
form of such a plant as A. rosea, or vice versa. 
Asa weed of cultivation A. ficifolia extends from Persia to 
Siberia, South Russia, Syria, and Egypt. Dr. Stapf thinks 
its origin is most probably North-West Persia. It varies 
greatly in habit and size, from a few inches to five feet high, 
and in colour of flower from pale yellow to purple. The 
var. glabrata of Boissier is a dwarf form, to which the names 
flavo-virens and tabrisiana have been given by Boiss. and 
Hohenacker. 
The specimen drawn is from the Herbaceous ground of 
the Royal Gardens, Kew, where it flowered last in July, 
1891, and fruited in the following September.—J. D. H. 
Figs. 1 and 2, Stamens; 3, ovary of the nat. size; 4, fruit of the nat. size; 
5, carpel :—enlarged. 
