THE WATSONIA. 195 



T. conchiflora. Flowers orange -yellow, spotted with 

 brown ; not so strong or free-flowering as T. pavonia. . 



T. speciosa is a hybrid between these two, partaking more 

 of the nature of T. pavonia, and of a dull, red color. 



T. Wlieeleril is also a hybrid, resembling T. conchiflora 

 more closely. 



The plant sometimes seen in florists' catalogues under the 

 name of T. ccerulea is Plialocallis plumbea. 



THE WATSONIA. 



The plants composing this family were formerly known 

 as gladiolus, to which some of the species are nearly allied. 

 They are rather tall-growing plants, with showy flowers, 

 and of easy culture in light, rich soil. In England they 

 are hardy, and receive the same treatment given to Cape 

 gladioli. With us they require a greenhouse and the usual 

 culture of Cape bulbs. The large-growing speeies should 

 have large pots, and all require careful attention to drain- 

 age. They propagate freely by offsets, and also ripen seed. 

 From some twenty-five species we may name 



W. kumilis. A dwarf and very desirable species, with 

 large, rose-colored flowers. 



