SEPTEMBER 23, 1859. 79 



patches between the larger veins with grayish white. It forms 

 a finely-variegated climbing plant, and was awarded a First- 

 Class Certificate of Merit, on account of its distinct and 



Macodes Petola : — from Messrs. Low & Co. This plant had 

 been introduced from Java. The leaves were very beautiful, and 

 distinct in colour and marking from those of the species of 

 Anmctochilus, which they resemble in general character ; they 

 were ovate, shaded green, ribbed and veined with glittering 

 golden lines, these lines consisting of a central and on each side 

 two lateral longitudinal ribs, united by numerous branching trans- 

 verse veins between. It was considered deserving a Fiest- 

 Class Certificate of Merit, which was awarded to it. 



Begonia Lowii :— from Messrs. Low & Co. This was one of 

 a group which had been obtained by crossing with B. Tlncaitesii, 

 the result of which admixture had been to impart a dwarf habit. 

 The leaves of all were comparativelv small ; those of B. Lowii, 

 narrowly ovate, the ground colour a pure silvery gray, while a 

 slight border at the margin was green blotched with silvery 

 markings, the same green colour forming a narrow border to the 

 base of the ribs, producing a green central star; they were also red- 

 veined behind. The beauty of this variety consisted in the purity 

 of the silvered surface, relieved by an amount of green at the 

 border and near the centre, just sufficient to produce a pleasing 

 contrast; its small size and dwarfness were also recommendations. 

 It was awarded a First-Class Certificate of Merit, on 

 account of its novel character, combined with its intrinsic beauty. 



Begonia Gem :— from Messrs. Low & Co. This was another 

 variety of the same origin as B. Lowii. It was still smaller, the 

 leaves being not more than about three inches long, shortly 

 ovate, the colours nearly the same as in B. Lowii, but the green 

 border and star rather more distinct, from being less blotched 

 and speckled. It was a charming dwarf variety, and was Com- 

 mended, as a very desirable new form of this protean family. 



Begonia zebra:— from Messrs. Low & Co. Of the same dwarf 

 habit as B. Gem, and of the same parentage. It was more distinct 

 but less beautiful, quite small in foliage and dwarf in habit, gi-een 

 with irregular, elongated, silvery blotches and flecks lying 

 obliquely between the principal veins, pale green behind. It 

 was Commended for its distinctness. 



Begonia blanda:-from Messrs. Parker & Willums, Hollo ■ 

 way. In this, which was of moderate size, the bases of the veins 



