53 



with the outer edge very thin and more delicate than the 

 rest. Towards the base are two fleshy processes of a deep 

 yellow. Column about half as long as the petals, rounded 

 above, and having the edge, immediately below the anthers, 

 deep brown." 



The species is new, and I have named it after Mr. Booth, 

 to whom I am indebted for my knowledge of it. 



96. COMMELINA orchioides. Booth in litt. 



C. orchioides; foliis oblongis glaberrimis superioribus angustioribus, spatha 

 maxima, cucullata cernua solitaria, staminibus sterilibus apice glandulosis. 



" Roots of this plant, with many others, and a large col- 

 lection of curious seeds, were received in April 1838, by Sir 

 Charles Lemon, Bart. M.P. from Mr. John Rule, the zealous 

 and active superintendant of the Real del Monte Mines, in 

 Mexico. It flowered in the stove at Carclew, in May ; and 

 is to be regarded more as a subject for the Botanist, than for 

 those who are fond of showy flowers — to the latter it is 

 valueless — but to the former it is not devoid of interest. 



" The whole plant does not exceed six inches in height. 

 The leaves grow nearly erect, and are from three to five 

 inches in length, and from half an inch to an inch in 

 breadth, sheathing at the base and surrounding the stem ; 

 oblong lanceolate, acute, smooth, and shining, with a broad, 

 fleshy, pale green midrib. Peduncle erect and round, nearly 

 the length of the leaves, pale green, and slightly pubescent, 

 together with the involucre, which is of one leaf, thin and 

 compressed, keel-shaped, ovate, acuminate, splitting on the 

 upper side, which is tinged with brown at the edge. The 

 flowers are numerous, of a bright blue colour, but open only 

 one at a time ; they expand in the morning, attain perfec- 

 tion about noon, if the sun is not very strong, and in a few 

 hours afterwards close up and decay. Pedicels short and 

 round, pale green ; before the flower is ready to open they 

 are incumbent on one another, and curved. Sepals three, 

 roundish ovate, very thin, and of a dull, pale green, tinged 

 with brownish purple ; the upper is smaller than the other 

 two, and more acute at the point. Petals three, roundish, 

 concave, with a claw at the base. Filaments six, of which 

 three are nearly as long as the petals, and have perfect 



