B0MABEA ACUTIFOLIA. .5 



recommend to our readers. It is less robust than bicolor and multicolor, but the 

 deep blue tint of the lower lip of the blossoms renders them exceedingly attractive. 

 Tins species produces less seed than some others, and it is, doubtless, to this 

 circumstance that its relative scarcity is attributable. The beautiful colour of its 

 flowers suggests the expediency of attempting to hybridize with it, the larger but 

 paler-flowered species. Could the lilac of the blossoms of C. multicolor be deepened 

 by the admixture, to purple, its beauty would be greatly enhanced ; and we see no 

 reason to doubt the success of the experiment. The cross-impregnation of annuals 

 is, as far as we are aware, a thing very rarely thought of; but we believe that 

 improvements as important could be accomplished in this class of plants as any 

 which have been effected among the perennials. 



The principal other species in addition to those already named, are grandijlora, 

 heierophylla, parviflora, sparsiflora, and tinctoria ; the two first are of some interest, 

 and may be grown where a large selection of annuals is required ; tinctoria, so 

 named from the numerous glands covering the calyx, communicating a yellow stain 

 to the fingers when touched, is not yet, we believe, in the hands of the trade. 



The C. multicolor is one of Messrs. Veitch's numerous importations, and although 

 introduced from California but a very few years since — not longer ago, we think, 

 than 1848 — it will, as well as the C. bartsicefolia, another interesting species 

 obtained by these gentlemen from the same locality, be offered for sale the present 

 season by the principal seedsmen; so that our readers will speedily be able to 

 possess themselves of this truly handsome annual. 



The genus, Collinsia, was established by the American naturalist, Nuttall, in 

 honour of Zaccheus Collius, Vice-President of the Academy of Natural Sciences, 

 riiiladclplua. 



BOMARKA ACUTIFOLIA. 



Acute-leaved Bomarea. 



I. in, n mi Class— IIkxandria. Order — Monogynia. Natural Order —Amahyllidacem. 



1 1 can hardly excite surprise, that of the immense number of exotic plants 

 introduced into this country, many of the older ones should at times be overlooked, 

 and become eventually so rare from neglect, as to need resuscitation and reintro- 

 duction to public notice. The Bomarea acutifolia is an interesting example of 

 these neglected plants. We believe it has been several times imported as a 

 novelty, but is still comparatively little known ; and as one of the objects of the 



