150 A GUIDE TO FLORICULTURE. 



pearance in the parlor, and will do nearly as well as if 

 planted in the open ground, provided you do not give them 

 much water. You can forward them by plunging the 

 pots in a hot bed, but if forced that way, they will be good 

 for nothing afterwards. 



ISMENE AMANCfiS. 



This beautiful bulbous rooted plant is a native of Aman- 

 caes, near Lima, in Peru. It is found in all parts sur- 

 rounding that place in great splendor ; a fine, rich, deep 

 yellow flower. It sends forth a scape about thirty-six 

 inches high, with several flowers six inches long, and about 

 four inches across, and its delightful fragrance makes it 

 very desirable in all collections of Lileacaes. 



The bulb is not large, and to grow it in perfection re- 

 quires a sandy loam, and a medium size pot. Like all the 

 Ismenes, and its tribe, it requires a season of rest. This 

 plant is much celebrated in Peru on the 24th of June 

 (when in bloom), by the natives of that country, as the 

 Hawthorn is in England on the 1st of May : perhaps more 

 so, for the churches in Peru are decorated with it at 

 that season. 



This plant was named Ismene, after the daughter of 

 GEdipus. It is scarce in this country, but is cultivated 

 in England to great perfection. For a fine description 

 of this flower, I refer the reader to a book entitled " A 

 Visit to the South Seas," by C. J. Stewart, M. A. 



