138 MR. DONALD'S NOTES UPON BEGONIAS. 



D. Stems erect, branching, fleshy at the base. 



20. jB. homonyma. Stems from two to three feet in height, en- 

 larged at the joints, and forming a large fleshy base, from which 

 the young shoots spring. Leaves oblique, about three inches in 

 length, inclining to divide into four unequal lobes, smooth on 

 both sides, and generally of a dark-green colour. Flowers pure 

 white, generally in threes. This resembles B. parvifolia in 

 habit, but may be at once distinguished from that species by its 

 much larger leaves, which are always of a very dark colour. It 

 blooms during summer and autumn. Syn. 13. sinuata. — Brazil. 



21. B. parvifolia. This species in almost every respect re- 

 sembles tlie preceding, except that the stems grow somewhat 

 more erect and are less disposed to branch. The leaves are of 

 the same form and colour, and only diffier in being about one third 

 larger. The flowers individually are similar both in size and 

 colour, suspended in little clusters varying in number from three 

 to five blooms. This, with the former, may be kept in flower 

 during the greater part of the year. Syn. B.Jloribunda, B. 

 semper jior ens. — Cape of Good Hope. 



22. B. Dregei grows from two to three feet in height, much 

 branched and swollen at the joints, especially towards the base. 

 Leaves oblique, about an inch in length, very unequally toothed, 

 quite smooth on both sides, and of a delicate green colour, 

 passing gradually into a purple towards the margin. Flowers 

 white, generally in pairs, and large in proportion to the size of 

 the leaves. Syn. B. parvifolia, B.Jloribunda, B. semperjlorens. 

 — Cape of Good Hope. 



E. Stems erect, branching, not fleshy at the base. 

 a. Leaves oblique, ovate, acute. 



23. B. Fischeri. Stems branched, from two to three feet in 

 height, dark crimson, and marked with a few small white spots. 

 Leaves oblique, about two inches in length, slightly toothed, 

 dark-green above, quite smooth, presenting a very silky appear- 

 ance, bright crimson beneath, and singularly crossed with large 

 green veins. Flowers blush coloured, very small, and generally 

 in threes. It blooms in spring. — Brazil. 



24. B. rupestris. Stems from two to three feet in height, small, 

 but strong, of a brown colour when young, gradually becoming 

 black, and resembling a bamboo in appearance. Leaves oblique, 

 about three inches in length, waved at the margins, of a dark 

 green colour, and beautifully marked on the surface with white 

 silvery looking spots. Flowers pink, generally produced in 

 spring. — Brazil. 



