THE CALADIUM. 249 



Those which are in cultivation are natives of the swamps 

 of the River Amazon, in the province of Para, and, among 

 foliaged plants, are pre-eminent for graceful growth, and 

 elegance and brilliancy of marking. 



The tubers should be planted in peaty loam and sand, iu 

 medium-sized pots, when they show signs of growth : but 

 in this respect they are very accommodating ; for they can 

 be started into growth any month in the year ; and, by a 

 little care, a house may be gay with caladia at any season. 

 Some species continue growing the whole year ; but these 

 do better if a rest is given by withholding a portion of the 

 supply of water during three months in the year, and keep- 

 ing the plants rather cool. As soon as the plants are 

 potted, they should be set in a warm place, or, if possible, 

 plunged in a bark-bed, near the flue, to give them a little 

 bottom-heat, in order to obtain large roots before the tops 

 begin to grow. When the leaves once start, the plants 

 should be kept in the warm end of the house, and plenty of 

 water should be given. Indeed, the foliage grows larger, 

 and is more highly colored, if the pots are set in pans of 

 water, and every thing done to encourage large growth ; for, 

 as the beauty of the plant is the foliage, it should be well 

 grown. The flowers are poor, and not ornamental : there- 



