16 THE TUBEROUS BEGONIA. 



was put into commerce in 1869, and is still cultivated in considerable quanti- 

 ties by some growers, its constitution being remarkably good; and this 

 fact, coupled with its freedom of flowering and the bright appearance of its 

 numerous blossoms, renders it valuable as a bedding variety. It is, however, 

 now greatly surpassed in effectiveness in this capacity by numerous varieties, 

 most of which, if not quite all, are largely indebted to it for their best 

 qualities. 



Begonia rosseflora (see illustration, p. 19) was imported by the 

 Messrs. Veitch from the Andes of Peru, where it was collected at an elevation 

 of 12,000 feet, and it flowered first in the Chelsea Nursery in July, 1867. It 

 has stout red petioles and scapes, broad round leaves with deeply-impressed 

 veins, and bears numerous pale red flowers "like those of the Briar Rose," 

 and about 2 inches in diameter. This species was not much used by the 

 hybridist, but is one of the parents of a few of the earliest raised varieties. 

 It is figured in the Botanical Magazine, t. 5680. 



Begonia Davisii (see illustration, p. 21) was discovered by Messrs. 

 Veitch's collector, Mr. Davis, near Chupe, in Peru, at an elevation of 10,000 

 feet, and flowered for the first time in the Chelsea Nursery in July, 1876, 

 though it was not put into commerce until 1879. It is figured in the 

 Botanical Magazine, t. 6252, and received a First Class Certificate from the 

 Floral Committee on August 2nd of the same year. It is a very dwarf- 

 habited species, with bright scarlet flowers, and smooth and glossy foliage ; 

 and it has proved itself remarkably valuable to hybridists, for by the judi- 

 cious crossing of this species with other strains derived from the Boliviensis 

 and Veitchii types, a number of varieties have been obtained, both single 

 and double-flowered, possessing the characteristics of a remarkably dwarf and 

 compact habit, with moderate-sized but brightly coloured blooms. The inflores- 

 cence of B. Davisii being naturally of a more or less erect character, as 

 well as very abundant, these points also are reproduced to a great extent in 

 hybrids obtained from this species as one of the parents ; and, in fact, most 

 if not all modern single varieties of the " erect " type, as well as the newly- 

 introduced and exceedingly valuable class of dwarf, upright, double-flowering 

 kinds, owe their best qualities to it. The fine double varieties, B. Davisii 

 hybrida flore pleno, B. Davisii plena superba, B. Davisii lutea plena, Canary 

 Bird, M. Casset, &c., may be cited as admirable examples of the result of 

 intercrossing this species with other varieties ; and among the singles may be 

 named Miss Constance Veitch, Mrs. Arthur Potts, and such more modern 

 novelties as Scarlet Gem and Novelty. 



Begonia Clarkei was first flowered by Colonel Trevor Clarke at Welton 

 Place, Daventry, in 1867, but he had had the plant for several years 

 previously, having received it from Messrs. E. G. Henderson and Son, as a 

 native of Peru. Though at first sight resembling B. Veitchii, there is 

 a considerable difference between them, B. Clarkei being the least hardy 



