LOEELIACE.E. 



/D 



down, through which the dark colouring of the leaves slightly 

 appears, and the raceme is denser and more compact and the 

 petals broader. In many of the new varieties there is more of 

 the character of this species than any of the others observable. 

 The old variety named L. sp. St Clab' is yet one of the most 

 brilliant, and unsurpassed by any of the new scarlets. Native 

 of Mexico. 



L. syphilitica {Syphilitic L.) — This species grows about 2 feet 

 high, with furrowed or angular stems and oblong leaves, nar- 

 rowing sharply at both ends, and irregularly toothed. Flowers 

 in rather leafy racemes, light blue, and appearing in July and 

 the three succeeding months. There is an excellent hybrid of 

 this species, very hardy and showy, but not over-plentiful in the 

 country, at present known by the names hybrida^ Milieri, 

 Purple Standard, and spcciosa. In dry soils it may be left out 

 of doors with impunity for the winter ; but, like all the others, it 

 flowers better and earlier from having a little start in heat in 

 spring. The flowers are larger than those of the species, and 

 are bright bluish-purple, and the plant grows about 2)^ or 3 

 feet high. 



There are other species of Lobelia yet to introduce or re- 

 introduce, not perhaps superior to some of those named above, 

 but equal to them in beauty, and quite distinct, which, now 

 that the genus is taken up by florists, might, by the infusion 

 of new blood, bring about difterent types to any that we have 

 at present. 



Tupa. — Little generally is known of this magnificent family 

 of Lobeliads in this country ; T. Fucillci is the best known, and 

 is to be met with about the Glasnevin and College Botanic 

 Gardens, Dublin, and occasionally at Kew ; and as seen in the 

 border extending outside the houses at the first-named place, 

 in the months of September and October, rising to the height 

 of 4 or 5 feet, loaded with its brilliant flowers, it will be 

 admitted to have few equals. But it is only in such places and 

 in such a border that it can be grown to perfection in the 

 climate of this country without assistance in spring under glass, 

 and the shelter of the same during winter. It is a native of 

 Chili, and will not endure, in most localities, the cold and damp 

 of even our ordinary winters, but it may be lifted in autumn 

 and treated in all respects as recommended for the tall herba- 

 ceous Lobelias. It will not, however, accommodate itself so 

 well to any inferior position out of doors, but must have the 

 most sheltered and warm position possible. It forms a fine 

 pot-plant, and well repays any amount of care and trouble 

 either in pots or planted out that will bring it to perfection. In 



