356 HORTUS MORTOLENSIS 
under glass. A. Pechuelit was also brought by Mr. C. Dinter in 
1905, but did not live long. 
AERIDES. 
A. japonicum has been grown in the open for several years 
and flowered several times. We are indebted for it to Dr. H. 
Goldschmidt, Essen. 
AGAPANTHUS. 
A. wmbellatus was first planted by Sir Thomas Hanbury, 
November 27th, 1868; procured from Messrs. Veitch & Sons. 
AGAVE. 
Agaves are perfectly at home at La Mortola, attaining their 
full size. Every year a number of interesting species throw up 
their tall inflorescences. Only a few tropical species are liable to 
suffer during winter. 
The foundation of the present collection was laid by a large 
contribution from Mr. W. Wilson Saunders, of Reigate, whose 
classical collection of these plants furnished much of the material 
for Prof. Baker’s elaborate account of the genus. The first con- 
signment was received in June, 1868 ; it contained :—A. yuccefolia, 
A. Saundersit, A. lawa, A. Cantala, A. Rumphi, A. angustefolia, 
A. stricta, A. Jacquiniana, A. elongata, and three unnamed plants. 
In spring, 1869, the following were received :—A. scabra, A. mitis, 
A. applanata, A. Bouchet, A. ferox, A. Ellemeetiana, A. filamentosa, 
A. lophantha, with several varieties of the last-named, and in 1870 
A. Bouchei and A. xylonacantha. 
Our knowledge of this interesting and beautiful genus is still 
very incomplete, and the confusion existing in books and gardens 
regarding their nomenclature is bewildering. Since Jacobi’s* and 
Baker’st works, the Agaves have not been comprehensively dealt 
with, and a new and up-to-date monograph is urgently wanted. 
I am greatly indebted to Prof. Pax, Breslau, for the kind loan 
of General von Jacobi’s drawings and photographs, which were of 
great help to clear up many doubtful or neglected species, and to 
Prof. Trelease, Director of the Missouri Botanical Garden, for help 
in naming several Agaves of our garden, as well as for many of his 
newly described species. 
The names given here can, in some cases, only be considered 
as provisional. I hope to give before long a full account of the 
Agaves grown at La Mortola. 
A. americana. 
This is the plant now seen everywhere in Southern 
Europe as far north as the Italian Lakes and Southern Tyrol, 
and which is particularly abundant on roadsides and rocks — 
* G. A. von Jacobi, ‘‘ Versuch zu einer systematischen Ordnung der 
Agaveen,”’ publisked in Hamburger Gartenzeitung, 1864-1867, and in Abhand- 
lungen der Schlesischen Ges., Naturw. Abt. 1868-1870. 
_ _ t J.G. Baker, ‘The Genus Agave,” in Gardeners’ Chronicle, 1877; reprinted 
in Baker’s Handbook of the Amaryllidee. London, 1888, 
