58 THE TUBEROUS BEGONIA. 



THE \VARIETY OF FORM. 



The blooms of double Begonias vary considerably in form and in the arrange- 

 ment of the petals. Some have flowers similar in shape to those of a Holly- 

 hock, consisting of an outer row of wide "guard-petals," with a mass of 

 irregularly formed smaller and shorter petals in the centre (see p. 65). This 

 is a very fine class, often affording blooms of the largest size, and very double 

 and full. In some varieties, the central mass of petals after a time develops 

 sufficiently to hide the guard-petal, and the bloom then becomes about two- 

 thirds of a ball of thickly crowded petals (see p. 63). The colour of this class 

 of flower is generally some shade of red. Scarlet Perfection, Virginale, white, 

 (see illustration, p. 57), Lord Randolph, Duchess of Teck, and Clovis are good 

 examples of this class. 



Others, again, resemble a Camellia in form and the arrangement of the petals, 

 which are wide and well rounded, and reflex one over the other in almost 

 precisely the style of the old white Camellia (Alba plena). This class has but 

 recently been developed within the last three or four years only. The blooms 

 are not, as" a rule, so large as those of the last-named section, but they are 

 exquisitely beautiful in every way, and are being added to and improved 

 yearly. White, cream, and blush shades appear to be the prevailing colours 

 among this class, though there are now a few of deeper hues. The first of 

 this form, or approaching thereto, were Madame Comesse and Madame de 

 Dumast, introduced from the Continent. These have, however, been put in 

 the shade by Alba magna and others, and particularly by the latest novelty 

 in this section, raised by Mr. Laing, and which has this season been twice 

 certificated the crimson flowered-Camellia (see p. 89). 



A few doubles possess blooms similar in form to that of a half-opened Rose, 

 or--a Tea, when just in perfection. Queen of Doubles, a rich rosy crimson, is 

 the best example of this class, though several of the hybrids from "Davisi," 

 notably Davisi hybrida fl. pi., Davisi superba, etc., very nearly approach this 

 form. Most of these are of deep colours, shades of scarlet and crimson pre- 

 dominating. Others, again, more nearly resemble a Paeony in shape and size 

 than anything else, and though none are quite so large as a well-grown 

 Peeony. yet a few, when in good condition, come not far short in this respect. 

 Two of the best in/ this class are Pseonise flora and Mrs. J. L. Macfarlane, 

 both with enormous blooms when well grown. 



The flowers of others, again, very closely imitate those of the Ranunculus, 

 though possessing greater substance, and in some cases being larger. These 

 are exceedingly beautiful, many of the newer hybrids being of the softest 

 and richest shades of orange, salmon, rose, scarlet, and crimson ; and as we 

 have now several varieties in this class of a very dwarf compact habit, with 

 the blooms held perfectly erect on stiff foot-stalks, the likeness to what 

 might be termed a glorified Ranunculus becomes very striking. Madame 

 Crousse and Mrs. Frost may be cited as examples of this form. 



