134 MK. DONALD'S NOTES UPON BEGONIAS. 



As to propagation, perhaps few plants are so easily increased 

 as Beo-onias. All those from which cuttings can be taken will 

 strike freely under ordinary treatment, and such as B. Barkeri, 

 from which cuttings cannot be had, may be abundantly multi- 

 plied from seed. The seed should be sown when gathered, in 

 light sandy soil, and placed in a moist situation, where the seed- 

 lings may be shaded from the rays of the sun. 



As great confusion occurs among the names, one species often 

 being known by three or four different names in as many estab- 

 lishments, I have been induced to offer the following plain 

 descriptions of such of the species as are most generally met 

 with : — 



A. Stems none. 



1. B. rtibricaulis. Leaves all from the root, heart shaped, 

 about five inches in breadth, of a dark green colour, and hairy 

 on both sides. Flowers few, but beautiful, closely set together 

 on the top of a foot-stalk of from eight to ten inches in length, 

 covered with fine white hairs. This species in some respects 

 resembles B. albo-coccinea, especially in the purple sepals and 

 almost white petals, and, like it, blooms in autumn, and pro- 

 bably at other seasons. 



B. Stems creeping. 

 a. Leaves palmate, equal at the base. 



2. B. heracleifolia. Stems short and creeping. Leaves palmate, 

 from fourteen to sixteen inches across, of a dark green colour, 

 and hairy on both sides. The most remarkable feature in this 

 species is the footstalks which support the leaves; they are 

 generally about two feet in height, and covered with strong 

 white hairs rising from crimson spots, which, aloTig with nume- 

 rous short bright green streaks, give the plant altogether a 

 sino-ular appearance. Flowers pink, in loose panicles, elevated 

 on hairy footstalks about three feet in height. It blooms in 

 spring. — Mexico. 



3. B. crassicauUs. Stems rather short, thick, and fleshy, in- 

 clinin"" to creep, of a dull green colour, wlien young thickly set 

 with strong black hairs having all their points turned upwards. 

 Leaves palmate, measuring about ten inches across, of a bright 

 green colour, and partially covered with a soft brown substance 

 beneath. Flowers white, produced in great profusion all over 

 the stems. A deciduous species, flowering in spring before the 

 leaves appear. — Guatemala. 



b. Leaves ovate, equal at the base. 



4. B. fagifolia, entirely covered with soft white hairs. Stems 

 creeping, short-jointed, and of a dull crimson colour. Leaves 



