GUM 



GUM 



her should be bound on under it till the part is 

 healed. A strong solution of green vitriol in 

 water isnkewise supposed capable of being useful, 

 bybeingapplied to the extremities of theexsuding 

 vessels, and thus stimulating them into contrac- 

 tion, and by that means preventing the further 

 discharge of this substance. 



The nice application of a piece of fresh bark 

 taken from a similar tree of inferior value, kept 

 on by the elastic pressure of a list bandage, is 

 also suggested as worthy of being made a trial 

 of in the same intention. 



H JE M 



HiEMANTHUS, a genus containing plants 

 of the bulbous-rooted herbaceous flowery 

 perennial kind. 



It belongs to the class and order Hexandria 

 Monogynia, and ranks in the natural order of 

 Spathacece. 



The characters are : that the calyx is a six- 

 leaved involucre, very large, bearing an umbel- 

 lule : leaflets erect, oblong, permanent : the 

 corolla is monopetalous, erect, six-parted: parts 

 erect, linear : tube very short, and angular : the 

 stamina have six subulate filaments, inserted 

 into the tube, and longer than the corolla : the 

 anthers incumbent, oblong: the pistillum is an 

 inferior germ : the style simple, length of the 

 stamens : the stigmasimple : the pcricarpium is a 

 roundish three-celled berry : the seeds solitary, 

 and three-cornered. 



The species cultivated are: 1. H. coccineus, 

 Scarlet Hoemanthus, or Blood-flower, or Lily ; 

 2. H. puniceus, Waved-leaved Hoemanthus, 

 Blood-flower, or Bastard Dragon ;3.H. carinatus, 

 Carinated Cape Hsemanthus. 



The first has a large bulbous root, from which 

 in autumn come out two broad flat leaves, of a 

 fleshy consistence, shaped like a tongue, which 

 turn backward on each side, and, spreading flat 

 on the ground, have a singular appearance all 

 the winter ; but in the spring they decay. The 

 flowers are produced in autumn, just before the 

 new leaves come out ; and are of a bright 

 red colour, in a large cluster, two or three 

 inches from the bulb. It is a native of the 

 Cape. 



In the second species the roots are composed 

 of many thick fleshy tubers, forming a head, 

 out of which arises a fleshy spotted stalk, 

 spreading at top into several spear-shaped leaves 



HiEM 



which are waved on their edges. The stalks 

 are a foot high ; leaves six or eight inches long, 

 and two broad in the middle. From the side 

 of the stalk near the ground breaks out a strong 

 fleshy scape, six or eight inches long, with a 

 large cluster of yellowish red flowers at top. 

 The berry is obovate, of a fleshy scarlet colour. 

 It is a native of Africa. 



The third has a large bulbous root, sending 

 out three or four leaves, a foot long or more, 

 not fiat, but hollowed like the keel of a boat, 

 and more erect than those of the first sort, hut 

 not quite so broad : the flowers are of a paler 

 red. It is a native of the Cape. 



Culture. — The first and third sorts are raised 

 with difficulty, as off-sets are only sparingly 

 afforded. The off-sets, when procured, should 

 be planted in pots of light loamy mould, as 

 soon as the stems decay, placing them in a drv 

 glass case. When thus taken up, the old roots 

 may remain out of the ground till August, and 

 be then new potted, and placed out till they re- 

 quire protection for the winter. 



The second sort is increased by parting the 

 roots, and planting them in pots of light loamy 

 earth in the early spring, before they put forth 

 new stems. This is also the period for re-pot- 

 ting the old roots. 



They are likewise all capable of being; raised 

 from seeds, especially the second sort, by sow- 

 ing them in pots of light sandy earth, and 

 plunging them in the baVk stove.' When the 

 plants are up, they should have air admitted 

 prettyfreely; when of some growth being remov- 

 ed into separate pols, and replunged in the hot- 

 bed. When hardened properly, they may be 

 placed in the dry stove. 



These plant3 require the management of other 

 3K 



