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 I. viridiflora in 

 habit. A variety ochroleuca, 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. 



/. scillaris. 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 than the 

 species previously described. 



J. 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 

 would produce a most brilliant effect. 



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

 I. crateroides, reddish yellow ; /. hylrida, white ; I. aristata, 

 pink ; I. 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 



