CHAP. V. ORNAMENTAL TREES, SHRUBS, ETC. 535 



accidental breakage of a rare specimen, propagation by cuttings 

 is not worth while resorting to, as the plant is so prolific in 

 producing tubers. 



The following I have had blossoming satisfactorily in my 

 verandah ; they comprise none of the so-named Tydaea kinds, 

 several of which I have tried, but without success as might have 

 been expected, since they do not make scaly tubers, but only 

 slender underground steins, nor suffer drying like Achimenes. 



1. A. longiflora major. Flowers large, of a clear, pale azure- 

 blue ; this is certainly about the most beautiful of all, as it is 

 the commonest and most hardy. The plant is distinct from 

 others in its tendency to throw up numerous suckers at a dis 

 tance from the main stem. 



2. A. longiflora alba. A variety of the former and equally 

 beautiful, with pure-white flowers. 



3. MAUVE QUEEN, flowers very large, of a deep, pure azure- 

 blue, with orange eye; somewhat similar to longiflora major; 

 but the plant is of a different habit, rather delicate, and not 

 very free in blooming ; 4. AMBROISE VERSCHAFFELT, flowers 

 French-white, beautifully pencilled with violet: a delightful 

 plant and a profuse bloomer ; 5. DR. BUENZOD ; 6. CARL WOL- 

 FORTH ; and 7. PARSONI, are ordinary kinds of different shades of 

 purple ; 8. VIOLACEA SEMIPLENA, a profuse bloomer, very hand- 

 some, with curious half-double purple flowers ; 9. GRANDIFLORA, 

 a very distinct plant, with large handsome leaves ; flowers of a 

 delicate rose-tint, with white eye ; the bulbs are as thick as a 

 man's little finger, and as much as four inches long ; 10. ROSEA 

 ELEGANS, a slender plant, with very small leaves; flowers small, 

 bright pink; 11. METEOR, and 12. CARMINATA SPLENDENS, of 

 different shades of crimson ; 13. VIVICANS, and 14. ECLIPSE, are 

 all but the same; flowers not large, of dazzling scarlet; 15. 

 SCARLET PERFECTION, flowers carmine-scarlet. 



Amongst those mentioned as the most beautiful are, Aurora, 

 described as very fine, with flowers two inches in diameter, deep 

 heavy scarlet, with light yellow eye, besides : 



Adonis; amabilis; elegans; Escheriana; Estella; gigantea; ignea; 

 magnifica; Mazeppa; Roezlia. 



Gloxinia. 

 This, like the last, is a very numerous genus of tuberous- 



