GLOXINIAS. 265 



* O. Guido Eeni. White, crimson centre. 

 G. Sir Hugo. Violet-purple. 



The characteristics of a good gloxinia are, the plant 

 should be healthy and vigorous, with sufficient foliage to 

 cover the top of the pot. The leaves should be broad, 

 thick, and velvety ; the lower ones growing in a horizontal 

 manner. 



In drooping varieties, the tube of the flower should be 

 broad and stout ; the throat should be wide and even ; the 

 sepals slightly reflexed, smooth and round at the edges, and 

 of sufficient substance to retain their beauty. The color, if 

 a self, should be bright and distinct ; if spotted, splashed, 

 or striped, the markings should be very decided, and not 

 run together. The greater the contrast of colors, the better ; 

 the markings to be regular ; the three under-sepals should 

 always be marked alike, and of uniform size. 



The plant must be a free-bloomer, the flowers standing 

 well up above the leaves ; and as the front, or inside, of the 

 flower is the handsomest part, it should be the most con- 

 spicuous. 



The erect varieties should have a long, round tube, a 

 little swelled at the middle ; the throat to be the same color 



