PLATE XIII. 
BEGONIA CATHCARTII, ay et 7. 
Nat. Ord. Brconracez. 
Caulescens, 1-2-pedalis, monoica, caulibus petiolis pedunculisque squamis ovatis acuminatis reflexis paleaceis, stipulis late 
ovato-oblongis eroso-dentatis reflexis, foliis alternis petiolatis oblique ovato-oblongis acuminatis basi profunde in- 
eequaliter bilobo-cordatis grosse inaequaliter serratis lobulis serrulatis supra glaberrimis paleaceis vel nudis lucidis 
subtus secus costam nervosque primarios squamosis, pedunculis axillaribus unifloris supra medium bibracteolatis, 
bracteolis ovatis concavis, floribus amplis albis superioribus masculis, perianthii segmentis ovatis obtusis exterioribus 
dorso subsquamosis, staminibus perplurimis densis, stigmatibus bicruribus, ovario 3-alato 2-loculari paleaceo, 
placentis dissepimento adnatis lobulatis. 
Has. In sylvis densis Himalayze orientalis temperate: Sikkim, alt. 6-8000 ped. FV. temp. pluvioso. 
This noble species is not uncommon in woods near Dorjiling, but I have never seen it abundantly, and 
seldom of so great a size as the specimen represented in the Plate. Like its congeners, it varies extremely 
in stature, becoming very dwarf and diminutive in all its parts in a dry soil and exposed situation. It 
appears to belong to Platycentrum of Klotzsch, according to that author’s definition of the genera into which 
he divides Begonia. 
Most of the Himalayan Begonias, of which there are about a dozen known species, are confined to the 
eastern parts of that mountain range, and are not abundant anywhere to the westward of Sikkim, where 
eight or ten species are found. In the Khasia mountains they are extremely abundant. The stems of many 
are eaten cooked, being pleasantly acid; and such are made into a sauce for pork, and other greasy meats, by 
the native inhabitants of Sikkim. 
Begonia Cathcartwi would no doubt succeed well in a cool, damp Fern-house, and prove a great acquisi- 
tion. With the exception of the following (B. gemmipara), it is the most hardy of the Sikkim species. 
Prats XII. Fig. 1, 2, 3. Stamens. 4. Pollen. 5. Ovary and stigmata. 6. Transverse section of ovary :—all magnified. 
