We understand that the species grows very freely ni 

 the open border in the summer ; but it will no doubt suc- 

 ceed with more certainty in the conservatory, or m a pit 

 appro])riated to the cultivation of Cape Bulbs. It produces 

 great quantities of little offsets, by which it is propagated ; 

 so that it will soon be a common plant. 



Some suspicions have been entertained of its being a 

 hybrid plant; while we have even heard of its being 

 pronounced the Gladiolus speciosus of Thunberg. With 

 regard to the first conjecture, we would only ask from 

 v/iiat known species can it be supposed that so very 

 remarkable a plant, unlike as it is to any known species, 

 could possibly have sprung ? The latter can scarcely have 

 been the notion of any Botanist. We cannot, however, 

 doubt that it is a wild "natural species. 



Dr. Hooker, in figuring it, laments that he is unable 

 to convey any idea of the brilliancy of its colours. We 

 cannot hope to succeed where so distinguished a draughts- 

 man feels dissatisfied with his success. The colours are 

 indeed splendid beyond any thing that can be expressed, 

 except by the most elaborate miniature painting. 



The leaves and stem, taken together, are between 3 and 

 4 feet high. The flowers have a ground of bright yellow, 

 covered with fine vermilion streaks, such as might be drawn 

 with the point of a needle, and these run together so much 

 at the edges as to form a margin of a deep even tint. 



J. L. 



