132 BEAY0A GEMINIPLOKA. 



admitted, that the flowers of the Bravoa are hardly proportionate in size to 

 the stature of the plant ; hut, notwithstanding this drawback, its graceful habit, 

 and the ease with which it may be cultivated, warrant us in speaking of it in 

 very favourable terms. From the small portion of the flower-stem and leaf 

 which our limits enable us to present, they would hardly be supposed to be 

 those of a plant three to four feet in height ; it is, however, only when grown 

 under a glass that it becomes so tall. 



The Bravoa geminiflora may be described as a half-hardy plant, producing 

 a tunicatcd bulb, about the size of a moderately large hyacinth root, but more 

 elongated. From this bulb proceed three to four pointed leaves, eighteen to 

 twenty inches or more long, and from one and a-half to two inches broad; 

 they are keeled at the back, and usually quite erect. The scape or flower-stem 

 springs directly from the bulb, and is not uncommonly from three to four feet 

 high, of a round tapering form, and bearing several pointed half-sheathing bracts 

 arranged alternately, at distances of five or six inches from each other. 



The raceme of flowers terminates the stem, and consists in our plant of about 

 sixteen pairs of blossoms, at the base of each of which is a small trifid bract; 

 in the early stages of their growth they are quite erect, and pressed close to 

 the scape ; but as they expand, the tube of the flower becomes gradually curved 

 outwards, until at length its mouth points downwards. Each flower is about 

 an inch or an inch and quarter long, of a cylindrical form, and divided at its 

 mouth into six short, rounded lobes, which, when the flower is fully developed, 

 are slightly spreading ; at this period their tint is a delicate salmon or flesh-colour, 

 tinged with green at the base, where the perianth coheres with the seed-vessel. 

 The six stamens and single style terminated by a three-lobed stigma, present 

 no peculiarity calling for any special notice. 



The Bravoa may be cultivated either as a window bulb, or in the open 

 border, where it succeeds perfectly in a warm aspect and suitable soil. The 

 only objection to its cultivation in the window, is its liability to become 

 ' drawn ' from deficiency of light and air ; but, in all other points, no plant 

 can be more manageable. It should be potted in a good friable loam, with 

 which a little silver sand should be mingled, unless the soil contains 

 naturally a fair proportion of silicious matter. This is necessary to ensure 

 the requisite porosity; but, unless a considerable proportion of good loam is 

 also present, the growth of the plant will be weak. The bulb should be 

 planted with its neck level with the surface of the soil, in a four or five- 

 inch pot, which will be found amply sufficient, except for the largest bulbs. 

 During the winter months, when the plant is dormant, the soil may be 

 kept nearly dry, but when in activity, it requires to be freely watered. 

 It usually commences its growth about the end of April or beginning of 



