CHAP. V. ORNAMENTAL TREES, SHRUBS, ETC. 399 



beautiful, the fine smooth dark leaves seeming to have a coating 

 over them like the amalgam on the back of a looking-glass 

 This peculiarity passed off when the plants grew large. These 

 however, are exceedingly interesting, as being, I believe, the 

 only instances of hybridizing ever practised in this country. 



The soil best adapted for Begonias is one in which the water 

 will drain through as soon as poured upon it. For if, from the 

 water not passing off, the leaves or collar of the stem be long 

 kept wet, they will be sure to perish. Leaf mould and river- 

 sand, with an abundance of Cocoa-nut fibre, I have found answer 

 admirably. They will not bear long exposure to either direct 

 sunshine or heavy rain ; and therefore must be kept constantly 

 under shelter. They are propagated by cuttings in sand, or by 

 seed, which they bear abundantly, 



1. B. argyrostigma. A small, remarkably handsome plant; 

 leaves on the upper surface of a dark bright green, distinctly 

 dotted over with numerous spots of silver ; and underneath of 

 a flesh or dull-red colour: bears in April greenish- white 

 flowers of moderate size. It is principally the lowermost leaves 

 that are most marked with silver spots; when the plant is 

 growing with much vigour, the uppermost ones often lose them 

 altogether. 



2. B. hydroeotylifolia. A very pretty species, with thick 

 succulent scaly stems, which lie prostrate upon the earth, con- 

 cealed beneath the abundance of handsome foliage of kidney- 

 formed polished- green leaves of moderate size, prettily clouded 

 with the markings of the nerves showing black. The under 

 surface of the leaf of a pale Indian-red colour; sends up in 

 February slender flower-stems of the thickness of a tobacco-pipe, 

 bearing a profusion of middling-sized, pretty, delicate, rose- 

 coloured flowers. 



3. B. hydroeotylifolia, var. manicata. A remarkably handsome 

 plant, and a delightful decoration to the verandah; habit the 

 same as that of the above ; but with much thicker stems, and 

 leaves full four times as large, with the markings of the veins 

 white both on the upper and under surface, supported upon 

 long brittle footstalks. An object of especial beauty when in 

 full blossom, with its numerous pretty flesh-coloured flowers. 



The leaves have a great tendency to rot with the wet ; and 

 the plant seems to thrive the better for being left unwatered 



