THTJNBERGIA ALATA ALBA. 43 



the pollen is mature before the stigma is sufficiently advanced to receive it, and if, 

 in this case, no provision were made for the retention of the fertilizing particles, 

 they would be scattered before the impregnation of the ovules could be effected- 

 Decidedly the most interesting part of the flower is the slender curved style with 

 its double stigma. This organ, destined for the reception of the pollen, has, in 

 addition to its small terminal cavity, a beautifully delicate shell-like lateral stigma, 

 of a larger size. Both of them are, however, so minute, that in order fully to 

 appreciate their exquisite finish, a microscopic examination will be requisite — but 

 a Stanhope lens of moderate power will be all that is necessary. There can be 

 no doubt that both of these appendages to the style perform the same function, 

 for if the terminal stigma be cut off before the pollen is ripe, seeds will nevertheless 

 be matured; which proves satisfactorily that, in this case, the pollen must have 

 been conveyed to the ovules through the medium of the beautiful organ to 

 which we have referred. Each of the seed-vessels contains four hard cup-shaped 

 seeds. 



It will be remarked that the petioles have a leafy edge, or are, botanically 

 speaking, winged, a circumstance by which alata, and all its varieties, are easily 

 distinguished from other species. 



The principal varieties with which we are acquainted are alata alba, our illustra- 

 tion ; aurantiaca, with blossoms of a rich orange tint ; Frgerii, the same, but with 

 a whitish throat ; and Doddsii, differing only from aurantiaca by its variegated foliage. 

 The original species, alata, has the limb of the corolla of a buff colour, the throat 

 being like that of our present subject, of a rich deep purple. 



The remaining species of Thunbergia are not very numerous, and are chiefly 

 inhabitants of the stove. The principle are, fragrans, with white flowers of the same 

 form as those of our illustration ; grandiflora, with delicate blue blossoms much 

 larger than those of any other species ; coccinea, with blossoms of a dull scarlet ; and 

 angulata, and Haivtayneana, both with purple blossoms. To these may be added 

 a somewhat recent species, chrgsops, perhaps the gem of the family, with the limb 

 of the flower of a rich purple, and the throat or eye of a golden yellow. This 

 plant is a native of Sierra Leone, and is said to require a stove heat for its successful 

 cultivation ; though we have reason for believing that it may be grown with a 

 lower temperature than is commonly supposed. 



Alata, and itj varieties, are all of easy cultivation, either in pots for the window, 

 or for ornamenting the flower-garden during the summer. The seeds require to be 

 sown in spring upon a hot-bed ; and we have sometimes found it advantageous to 

 soak them, for three or four hours previously, in tepid water. A light vegetable 

 soil, composed of leaf-mould or very old and thoroughly decomposed manure, with 

 a third of any good garden soil, will form a suitable mixture in which to sow the 

 seeds. With a good bottom heat of 75° the seedlings will soon appear above ground, 



