DOUBLE-FLOWERING VARIETIES. 



59 



BEGONIA FELIX CROUSSE. Camellia type. (See p. 58.) 



Yet another class afford a most striking peculiarity, every bloom consisting 

 of a number of individual florets, each, separate and distinct, and on its own 

 foot-stalk. During the earlier stages this is not so noticeable, but as the 

 bloom develops each floret grows in size and distinctness, while the foot- 

 stalks lengthen considerably, and when fully expanded the whole forms not 

 one, but a perfect bunch or cluster of distinct and separate flowers. A 

 perfect example of this type is Mr. Laing's variety, named Glow (see p. 61), a 

 very fine bright scarlet, the male flowers of which have become double in a 

 very singular way. The segments of the perianth are comparatively small, and 

 hidden behind the curiously monstrous stamens, which constitute the doubling. 



