AMARYLLIS TRIBE OF PLANTS. 125 



lias been frequently sent from Brazil, but the original plant has not 

 been met with. The mules between Striatifolium and different 

 varieties of Bulbulosum, as well as Regium and Regio-vittatum, have 

 a hardier constitution ; and many of them come so near to the reti- 

 culated parents, that they will be preferred in cultivation for orna- 

 ments. Equestre is a plant of singular constitution, and frequently 

 lost in the stoves; though a native of the hottest regions of the west, 

 it will not live if watered constantly in the stove. It requires absolute 

 rest in winter, in a moderately cool but not damp situation. It will 

 flower early in the summer, and after flowering should be placed in 

 the gTeenhouse, or in the open air, where it will grow better than in 

 the stove. 



" Regium requires less care, the stove, and rest in winter. The 

 whole family of Bulbulosum, except crocatum, are easily managed. 

 By giving them two periods of rest, in winter and again at mid- 

 summer, they, as well as the mules Regio-vittatum and Rutilo-regio- 

 vittatum, may often be made to flower in the spring and autumn. 

 I have found great advantage, with bulbs that were to stand on a hot 

 flue, in placing under them a shallow tray made of tin or zinc, and 

 nearly filled with sand. In pursuance of this system of encouraging 

 their growth by moist warm sand underneath, a gentleman to whom 

 I had given several tender bulbs informed me that he had constructed 

 a pit for them, with a chamber, into which was introduced a slender 

 steam-pipe, perforated with small holes; and the chamber was 

 covered with hurdles, over which he placed a layer of brushwood, 

 and on that a body of sand, in which the pots were plunged. The 

 steam worked its way through into the sand, and kept up a moist 

 warmth, which was very congenial to the tender bulbs during their 

 Beason of growth ; and I do not conceive that any belter mode of 

 cultivation could be adopted. A bed of the various splendid Hip- 

 peastra, successfully cultivated in a low warm house, would exceed 

 most vegetable displays in beauty. Some of the varieties of H. bul- 

 bulosum, if not all, may be found in South America, growing in black 

 vegetable earth. My collector found Pulverulentum in such soil with 

 the scape three feet high, and the leaves long; and I discovered 

 Equeatriforme growing unperceived in a mass of parasitic plants, 

 ( lereui and l'itcairnia, which had been torn off a stem or the face of 

 a rock. I have, however, lost so many bulbs by the use of peat* at 



