152 THE SPARAXIS. 



B. plicata. A dwarf-growing species, producing an 

 abundance of blue, fragrant flowers. 



We may also mention B. spathacea, purple flowers ; B. 

 bicolor, blue and white ; B. angustifolia^ blue, with choco- 

 late centre ; B. sambucina, rich purple, fragrant flowers. In- 

 deed, all the babianas are well worth growing ; and one can 

 hardly make a mistake in planting them. 



THE SPARAXIS. 



These plants, in their flowers, bear a great resemblance to 

 ixias ; and, indeed, only differ from them slightly botanically. 

 The flowers are usually more showy ; but the plants thrive 

 and bloom well under the same culture. The treatment after 

 blooming, and the modes of propagation, are essentially the 

 same. 



There are about a dozen species, all natives of the Cape 

 of Good Hope. 



S. tricolor. A very brilliant flower, of bands of yellow, 

 black, and orange. It should be potted in October, in a 

 compost of two parts sand and one part each of yellow loam 

 and leaf-mould, and be regularly but moderately watered 

 during the winter. When the flower-buds form in spring, 



