73 



semunciali oblongo inferne attenuate, perianthio sesquiunciam patente 

 antemeridiano fugaci, sepalorum ungue pallide vircscente dens^ et minute 

 fusco-purpureo notato lamina rotundata concava fusco-purpurca inferne 

 pallida, petalis brevioribus ungue angustiore pallidiore lamina pallida 

 superne fusco-purpurea, columna staminea -j^^^ unc. antheris -^^^ unc. 

 acutis divaricatis polline obscure aureo, styli lobis tenuibus depressis su- 

 perne bifidis stigmate minuto terrainali, capsula trigona unciali. JF. H. 



This plant was imported by Sir C. Lemon in the spring 

 of 1843, having been sent by Mr, J. Rule, of the Real del 

 Monte mines. The foreiroino- character is taken from a de- 

 scription transmitted by Mr, Booth, and an examination of 

 the dry specimen of the plant and flower sent from Carclew 

 in a letter. It appears to agree in essential points with 

 Beatonia purpurea, and Beatonia curvata, one of Hartweg's 

 plants, which flowered at SpofForth in August, 1843. — W. H. 



The following is Mr. Booth's, above alluded to : — " This 

 plant has so great a resemblance to the old Tigridia Pavonia 

 in general appearance, that I suspected it to be nothing more 

 than a variety of that well known plant. On flowering, how- 

 ever, it proved to be totally different, by no means so showy, 

 but quite as remarkable in some respects, especially in its 

 flowers, which are beautifully pencilled all over with dark 

 coloured spots like a Fritillary. 



*' Bulbs ovate oblong, tapering upwards. Leaves ensiform, 

 plaited, nearly erect, oblong lanceolate acute, quite smooth 

 and of a rich deep green on both sides ; varying from twelve 

 to fifteen inches in length, and one and a half or two inches in 

 breadth, tapering gradually to both ends. Scape two feet 

 high, (extrafoliaceous as in other Beatonias — W. H.) round 

 and erect with several joints, having each a one-leaved spathe, 

 similar in form and colour to the leaves, but narrower and 

 shorter, producing several flowers one and a half inch in dia- 

 meter, which open in succession, one at a time, and continue 

 expanded during the day, finally closing again in the after- 

 noon. Pedicells round, pale green, an inch longer than the 

 spathe. Sepals ovate oblong concave, the inner half (unguis) 

 which is narrowest, of a pale dirty green marked with nume- 

 rous small dark brown spots. The outer portion (lamina) is 

 roundish concave and reflexed, of a very deep brown colour, 

 paler towards the margin, and spotted. Petals about half as 

 long as the sepals, but broader in proportion and more con- 

 cave, tapering to a narrow claw at the base, and having a 

 small roundish reflexed point, spotted in the same way as the 



Z.— 1843, 



