94 



Valerian. Vide Centrantlius. 



Veratrum Melanthaceoe, Veratrum Nigrum. This genus takes 

 its name from the dark colour of its roots. The flowers are mostly 

 white, dark, purple and green. It is cultivated in a rich garden 

 soil by seed or dividing the roots, which contain powerful 

 medicinal properties. 



Verbascum Scrophulariacece, Verbascum Formosum. These 

 plants producing abundance of yellow and orange coloured flow- 

 ers are well suited for a shrubbery. They are propagated by 

 seed or division of the roots. 



Verbena. To raise Verbena from seed it must be sown in June 

 and July, but the quickest way of multiplying established 

 varieties is by layers in the months of March and April. With a 

 good supply of water the common kinds of Verbena will flourish 

 throughout the hot months and until the heavy rains in July, 

 either potted or in beds, but when the heavy rains set in, they 

 will die off, unless they are brought under cover, even when thus 

 protected, they no longer grow freely, and many casualties must 

 be expected. The soil should be fresh red earth well manured. 

 The new Auricula or eyed varieties of Verbenas are more deli- 

 cate, and will only do well in large pots sheltered from midday 

 sun and heavy rain. 



Veronica Scrophulariacece. They are common pretty annuals, 

 with blue flowers, cultivated in any good garden soil by seed or 

 division of the roots. 



Victoria Regia, Nymphceacece. " This beatifnl Water Lily has 

 been successfully raised in the Botanical Garden at Calcutta from 

 seed sent by Dr. Wallick from England on the 9th of September 

 1851. It was received and sown in the garden on the 6th of Novem- 

 ber following, where it lay in a dormant state until the 23rd of April 

 1853. On the 13th of May same year, the seedling had made a 

 healthy growth, and was transferred on that date to the mound 

 prepared for it in the tank. The largest leaf when planted out 

 was little more than three inches in diameter. The total number 

 of leaves produced up to the 5th of September were forty-four, 

 fifteen of which were on the plant in different stages of develop- 



