THE BABIANA. 151 



by offsets and seeds, the latter of which bloom the third 

 season after planting. As window-plants they do well, but 

 do not flower as strongly as in the greenhouse. 



There are about twenty species, all natives of the Cape ; 

 among which we may enumerate 



B. rubro cyanea. This plant is often sold by florists as 

 an ixia, but is easily distinguished by its broad, plaited 

 leaves. The flowers are among the most brilliant of the 

 bulbous tribe, and present a combination of brilliant ultra- 

 marine blue and dazzling crimson. The bulbs are small ; 

 but each produces three or four flowers, which remain in 

 perfection several days if kept in the shade. The plant is 

 of easiest culture, requiring only the usual treatment of 

 Cape bulbs. 



B. villosa. This is a showy species, with bright-crimson 

 flowers, freely produced in April. A large pot of this spe- 

 cies is very effective in the greenhouse. 



B. strida. A pretty species, with lilac-and-white flowers. 



B. tubiflora. A free-growing plant, with light or straw- 

 colored flowers, often reddish. This species has done 

 better with us in the greenhouse than any except B. plicata. 



B. sulphurea. A fine species, with very large-spreading, 

 sulphur, cream-colored flowers. 



