( 179 ; 



tive species ; the flowers are of every colour, and they form 

 a delightful chain in connexion with the Lachenalias and 

 Ixias as winter flowering plants. 



jlntholyza. The different species of this produce very 

 beautiful flowers from February to April in great numbers, 

 on tall stems of two feet high, in the manner of the Tube- 

 rose. They somewhat resemble the Gladiolus in form, and 

 are of various colours. The root is a flat cake shaped bulb, 

 increases fast, and needs but little care or attention. 



Gladiolus.-*- There are a number of hardy varieties of this 

 fl,wer, but those requiring the protection of the Green- 

 house are far more 'numerous, include a very great variety 

 of colours and shades, and form a highly interesting collec- 

 tion. They are Cape bulbs, and need no more attention than 

 Ixias, Sec. 



Dahlia. Of this plant more than 150 varieties are now 

 known, the most of which have double flowers. It is a na* 

 tive of Mexico, whence it was carried to Spain, and from 

 thence was disseminated throughout Europe. The flowers, 

 which are often from five to six inches in diameter, combine 

 probably a greater degree of magnificence than those of any 

 other plant, as they comprise every gradation and shade of 

 colour from the darkest lake to the lightest shades, and every 

 hue but green. The collection of the author contains above 

 100 varieties, 90 of which are double. They have been se- 

 lected with great care, and comprise the most brilliant that 

 could be obtained. To attempt a detailed Description of them 

 would occupy too much space, and must consequently be 

 omitted. The roots are tuberous, and must be taken up in 

 the fall before the frost has injured them, and should then 

 be placed in boxes filled with sand, or laid in a dry situation 

 during winter, About the first or 10th of April they can be 

 again placed in their situations in the open ground. Here 

 they generally attain to the height of four to seven feet, and 

 sometimes more, and frequently produce from 30 to 40 

 flowers on ihe plant at one time. The double varieties are 

 the most splendid and highest esteemed ; the single ones, 

 however, possess extremely vivid colours, and many of them 

 have much to excite admiration. This plant, except the 

 circumstance of protecting it from frost in winter, needs little 

 or no care, and its flowers form the pride of the garden from 

 July to November, surpassing all others in their varied and 

 gaudy display. 



Lobelia fulg ens. ~T\\\$ splendid plant, whose merits are 



