THE IXIA. 149 



produced, and very handsome, this species should be generally 

 cultivated. 



/. maculata. — A very beautiful species, with flowers of 

 white and brown, and much resembling /. virkliflora in 

 habit. A variety ockrohuca, sometimes considered a spe- 

 cies, has large, creamy-white flowers, with a brown centre, 

 and long, slender tubes. 



These species are rather difficult to keep. 



/. sciUaris. — A small species, with flowers varying from 

 purple to white. It flowers very early, and should there- 

 fore be potted in September. It is more tender tlian the 

 species previously described. 



I. patens. — A species with bright-crimson flowers, and 

 of easy culture in loam and sand. In England, the species 

 is hardy enough to stand the winter, and probably would be 

 hardy in the Southern States. A bed of such a plant 

 Avould produce a most brilliant effect. 



We may also mention /. capitata, white, with blue centre ; 

 J. crateroides, reddish yellow ; /. hyhrida, white ; /. aristata, 

 pink ; /. odorata. yellow ; I. crispa^ bright pink. 



In fact, all the species are worth growing, and make good 

 window-plants. It is, however, better to grow the plants in 

 a pit or greenhouse, and, when in bloom, bring them into 



