198 BRECK'S BOOK OF FLOWERS. 



periodical), " as Youngii, Smithii, Elphinstonea, Rowsoneana, 

 Wheelariana, Ranbyana, &c. This plant delights in a rich, 

 moist soil, mixed with sand, and if it be a little shady it is 

 beneficial ; the colors of the flower are better, and the plant 

 more vigorous. A free supply of water is necessary, in order 

 to grow this successfully. I have had a single plant grow 

 three feet and a half high, and be six feet in circumference, 

 producing a vast profusion of flowers, most amply repaying the 

 little extra attention paid to its culture. When I obtained this 

 plant at first, I was instructed to grow it in a small, shallow 

 pond, keeping the roots immersed in water. I was told it 

 would there succeed far better than by any other method ; but 

 in this particular I find it very much to the contrary. A soil 

 as above described, and a good supply of water in dry weather, 

 are all that is required. I had a plant of M. Elphinstonea, 

 grown in a pot this summer, the size above particularized. 

 The species and all its varieties are readily increased by taking 

 off rooted shoots, or by cuttings. Seed sown in spring, and 

 the plants pricked out into a bed of rich soil, will flower by 

 July, and continue through the season. The impregnation of 

 these kinds, with any or all of the others, produces a pleasing 

 and interesting variation of flowers. " 



The flowers are tubular, with fine, wide-spreading segments ; 

 the ground color, all shades of yellow, from light straw to deep 

 orange, beautifully spotted or blotched with crimson or scarlet. 

 On some varieties there is a large blotch or spot on each seg- 

 ment of the corolla, while the throat of the plant is beautifully 

 spotted or mottled. It is a flower very much given to 

 sporting. 



M. cardinalis is another very ornamental species, with bril- 

 liant scarlet flowers, with varieties having rose or orange- 

 colored blossoms. It requires the same treatment as the other 

 varieties, and is equally rapid in its growth. I have not, how- 

 ever, ever raised plants as large as the one described above. 



M. moschatus. Musk-scented. This is well known as 

 the Musk Plant. It is dwarf in its habit, with small yellow 



