about an inch long. The anthers are ovate, with a distinct 

 pair of lobes attached to rather a convex connective. The 

 ovary is almost entirely buried in a fleshy 4-lobed disk ; the 

 style is long, violet, follows the direction of the stamens, and 

 ends in a stigma with two equal subulate lobes. Both the 

 style and filaments are twisted spirally before the corolla 

 expands." 



"This plant evidently belongs to the Ocymoideous La- 

 biate plants, but does not agree with any of the published 

 genera. Its singular calyx seems by itself to mark it suffi- 

 ciently, independently of which the plant differs from Plectran- 

 thus and its allies in the equal size of the two lips of the 

 corolla ; and from Ocymum and its allies in the long declinate 

 stamens, distinctly bilabiate corolla, and whole habit." 



Such was the view v^e took of this plant some months ago. 

 Since that time it has been suggested to us by Mr. Bentham 

 that the plant is very near Ocymum filamentosum, and upon 

 turning to the descriptions of that species we find them so 

 much alike, that we cannot doubt their belonging to the same 

 genus if not the same species. It is not however quite certain 

 as to the latter point, because Mr. Bentham describes his 

 plant with appendages to the longer pair of anthers, of which 

 appendages we have no trace in our plant. 



Be this however as it may, we regard Becium as distinct 

 from Ocymum for the reasons formerly given. 



Fig. 1 . represents the remarkable calyx ; 2. a portion of 

 the corolla with the 4 stamens ; 3. the pistil, having its ovary 

 plunged in a lobed disk. 



It is a half-hardy plant ; but, coming from a warmer 

 climate than many other kinds which we commonly find in 

 greenhouses, it will not bear such a great degree of cold in 

 winter. It will flower freely in the autumn and winter in a 

 temperature of from 40" to 45", and is adapted for conserva- 

 tories which are kept about this temperature. When potted 

 in any light common soil, it grows freely and is very easily 

 multiplied by cuttings. 



