AGAPANTHUS umbellatus; i)«/'. maximus. 



Large-jiowered African Blue-Lilij. 



HKXANDRIA MONOGYNIA. 



Nat. Old. LiLlACE.^. 



AGAPANTHUS. Botanical Rer/ister, vol. D./ol. 699, 



A umbellatus. Bot. Recf. I. c. 



Far. maximus ; foliis latioribus, floribus multo majoribus. 



Since the days when the commerce of the Dutch revealed 

 to Europe the vegetable riches of the Cape of Good Hope, and 

 filled the gardens of Holland with crowds of unknown forms, 

 the African Blue- Lily, or as it was formerly called the African 

 tuberous Hyacinth, has been a favourite object of cultivation. 

 It has now, however, become common, and, discarded from 

 the gardens of the great, to their own loss, has sought refuge 

 with humbler cultivators, with whom it still is, and we trust 

 always will be, a cherished favourite. 



We do not find in such authors as we have an opportunity 

 of consulting, any precise information as to the favourite loca- 

 lities of Agapanthus. Mr. Harvey says, that one species is 

 very common on the sides of Table Mountain, but which 

 species, or what the kind of places it is found in, he does 

 not state. 



With regard to the species, these are so little understood 

 that, although this may well be distinct from A. umbellatus, 

 we have no materials for defining it, and therefore we leave it 

 to our successors ; possibly it may be the A. multiflorus of 

 Willdenow. Mr. Harvey says there are several species in the 

 Cape Colony; it would be well worth any one's while to collect 

 and compare them, so as to settle the distinctions that exist. 



The accompanying drawing was made in the nursery of 

 February, 1843. d 



