22 LILIUM VENUSTUM. 



hardiness 'over the border,' and we shall be glad to be informed of the result of any 

 which may be made. 



The interesting Lilium venustum, figured in our plate for the present month, 

 although less remarkable than the one just noticed, is eminently deserving its 

 specific appellation of 'beautiful,' the bright orange tint of its large blossoms being 

 particularly attractive. Like the L. speciosum, it is of Japanese origin, and is very 

 nearly related to L. Tliunbergianum, for which it is sometimes sold ; but it differs 

 from the true species of that name in having its lower leaves linear and not oval. 

 It is also of dwarfer growth than L. Thunbcrgianum, and, unlike that species, has 

 smooth petals which are slightly stalked. The stem, which scarcely exceeds two 

 feet in height, is rough, and stained with brown at its lower part, and covered near 

 the summit with soft hairs. The upper leaves are ovate-lanceolate, arranged in a 

 whorl of four or five ; the lower ones are much narrower, and all are smooth and 

 strongly nerved. The blossoms are of considerable size, very much expanded, and 

 slightly reflexed at the edges. They are remarkable, as we have already observed, 

 for their brilliant orange tint, which immediately arrests the attention of the 

 observer, even among many rivals. The stamens, and especially the anthers, are 

 much longer than in the L. Tliunbergianum, and this offers an additional mark of 

 distinction between the two plants; but compared with those of most other species, 

 these organs present nothing extraordinary. 



The Liliiim venustum is one of the many valuable introductions of Dr. Siebold, 

 and appears to have been first brought to this country about twenty-five years 

 since, from the Belgian Gardens. It is perfectly hardy, and may now be procured 

 of most of the London nurserymen and seedsmen. 



Like all the dwarfer species of this genus, it may be grown as a pot plant, and is 

 very ornamental in the window when in flower. Full sized bulbs will require a 

 large pot, which is the only objection to the general adoption of this, and many 

 other beautiful species, as window plants, where there is room but for a few. 



Among other comparatively little known members of this genus, the L. excelsum 

 deserves to be mentioned. As its name implies, it is a tall growing species, with 

 very large drooping flowers, of a pale orange tint, and veiy fragrant. This plant is 

 sometimes sold as testaceum and perigrinum, but it is certainly distinct from either 

 of those species. 



In our notice of the L. colchicum (page 54, vol. I.), we referred to the small 

 bulbils formed on the stems of several of the species ; and we would now point 

 out a characteristic of the Lilies which can hardly have escaped the attention of the 

 most inobservant cultivator, viz. the long nectariferous furrow or gland at the 

 base of each petal. This is present in all the species, but is most conspicuous in 

 those with reflexed flowers, especially in the L. speciosum. When the flower first 

 expands, the furrow is dry, but gradually becomes moist, and at the end of a few 



