NAT. ORDER. GERANIACE.E. 157 



In many of these jalants, instances have occurred, in which 

 one or more of the white petals have had a stripe of red in them ; 

 and we have observed that the dark color at the base of the upper- 

 most petals, is, in a certain degree, soluble in water ; for, on the 

 plants being watered, the white petals have here and there become 

 stained by the coloring matter proceeding from it, and which, in a 

 diluted state, is of a purplish tint. As the flowers decay, this 

 apparently black part, distinguished by the roughness of its sur- 

 face, arising from prominent lucid points, and which essentially 

 distinguish the species, is sometimes perforated with numerous 

 small holes. It is a native of the Cape of Good Hope ; and the 

 various varieties comprise the great majority of the entire Natural 

 Order of this class of plants. ... 



Projyagation and Culture. Numerous varieties of the Gera- 

 nium have been introduced into this country; and such attention 

 bestowed uj^on their culture, that they have now become a common 

 ornament in almost every parlor ; the accumulation of which, if 

 placed in a tight room, is certainly very injurious to health. The 

 following remarks upon the cultivation of this beautiful plant, are 

 from the pen of Mr. Carter. He says : " This plant is increased 

 by cuttings, and sometimes by seeds. To propagate them by cut- 

 tings, take, after the plant has done flowering, a strong shoot of 

 new wood ; and after cutting off the toj-), leaving not more than 

 three buds, taking care to cut the bottom off at the eye or bud ; 

 and plant it, one bud in the ground, and two out. Let the soil be 

 of a light, rich loam — if convenient, after the following : — a rich, 

 light soil, as mixture of loam and peat, with one-third decayed 

 leaves ; drain well with charcoal, and be sure to keep them from 

 the frost, as very little chill will destroy them." 



The cultivation and raising of plants, is becoming an object 

 worthy the attention of every admirer and lover of nature's best 

 gifts. The figure of the plant here described, was taken from 

 the garden of the celebrated florist, Mr. Gath, of Providence ; 

 hence, by Mr. Carter, to whom we are indebted for its likeness, it 



