130 DICLTTEA CHEYSAXTEA. 



as if the extremity had been cut off, which explains the flattened form of the 

 two inner petals at their tips. 



Everybody who has examined the common Fumitory, is acquainted with the 

 mode in which these tips are united, so as to retain the anthers in immediate 

 contact with the stigma. In most of the Diclytras, the edges of the petals 

 appear to grow so firmly together, that some force is often necessary to separate 

 them, and they never open spontaneously in the species we have examined. 

 To ensure fertilisation of the stigma, this organ is furnished with two blunt 

 processes, or horns, one of which is inserted between the anthers, and when 

 their valves contract the pollen escapes, and is thus brought into contact with 

 the stigma, without any change of position in either organ. Under the microscope, 

 the stigma of the Funiarias and Corydalis present a trident-like form. The 

 D. spectabilis, on account of the larger size of all its parts, is, however, the 

 best plant for examination with a view to a comprehension of the structure of 

 the Order. This species was figured in our first volume. 



The Dicl>/tra ehrysantha is a native of California, where it was originally 

 discovered by the Botanists accompanying Captain Beechy's exploring expedition, 

 but was first raised in this country by Messrs. Veitch, from seeds sent by 

 Mr. Lobb, their collector. It flowered with them last September, and will 

 probably be soon at the disposal of the trade. It appears to be quite hardy, 

 and is increased by the same mode as the other species; a dry warm situation 

 should be chosen for it. Our information with respect to its habits and require- 

 ments is, however, at present limited, owing to the short period it has been 

 in this country. As in the case of most plants readily increased by cuttings, 

 it will, we hope, speedily be placed within the reach of the floricultural public. 



There is an old species of this genus of considerable value, but it has been 

 hitherto so little in demand, that we dare say it is more expensive than the 

 newer D. sjjectabilis — we allude to the B. eximia. It is less robust than spectabilis, 

 and its leaves are smaller, but the flowers are borne in a long drooping raceme as 

 in that plant, and are of a similar colour. The outer petals are not so much 

 reflexed, and the beak formed by the union of the inner ones is much shorter. 

 Host of the London Florists have this plant in their catalogues. 



Before quitting the Diclytras, it may be worth while to point out that 

 spectabilis may be had in flower, down to a late period of summer, by the 

 very simple expedient of cutting it partly down as soon as the earliest 

 flowers are faded; this will cause the production of fresh shoots from the 

 root, which will flower in August and September. "Where there are several 

 plants of it, they may thus be made to bloom, in succession, from the end 

 of May to the end of September. We have no doubt it is within the range 

 of probability that hybrids between this species and the plant we have 



