158 THE GEISSORHIZA. 



quiring the usual treatment of Cape bulbs, except that the 

 soil in which they are grown should be very sandy. The 

 plants are commonly called "tile-root," from the tile-like 

 scales which cover the roots. None of the species are very 

 common. The best are 



G. BocJieana. — A pretty little plant known as "plaid 

 ixia." The bulb is small, but the flowers very brilliant; 

 the colors being blue, white, and crimson. 



G, obtusata. — A larger-growing species with straw and 

 buff flowers. 



G. vaginata — A very showy species, flowering in Au- 

 gust. The flowers are yellow, tipped with dark purple or 

 black. 



G. secimda. — A blue, flowered species, with a white 

 variety. 



G. excisa. — A small-growing species known as Ixia 

 excisa. The flowers are white, lined with pink and with 

 a green centre, and open only in full sunshine. 



There are about half a dozen other species which have 

 been introduced ; but they are rarely met with, and some are 

 probably lost to cultivation. 



