286 CAMASSIA; MELANTHIUM ; MONTBRETTTA; ETC. 



CAMASSIA. 



A native of the north-western part of America, where it 

 is very common. We have flowered the bulbs in the green- 

 house ; but they would probably prove hardy planted in 

 spring, and taken up in the autumn. The flowers are pur- 

 ple, produced in July. Soil, sandy peat, and a shady situ- 

 ation. G. esculenta is the species.* 



MELANTHIUM. 



Mostly natives of the Cape of Good Hope. They do well 

 planted in peat and sandy loam, and treated as ixias ; gen- 

 erally flowering in spring. M. junceum and uniflorum are 

 the best known species. 



MONTBRETTIA. 



A*small Cape bulb, with yellow flowers, resembling an 

 ixia, and requiring the same treatment. The species are 

 M. flexuosa and virgata. 



BESSERA. 



Mexican bulbs, with beautiful flowers, blooming in Sep- 

 tember, and requiring a sandy peat soil. Propagated by 

 offsets. The species are B. elegans, flowers scarlet ; B. 

 Herbert^ flowers purple and white ; B. fistulosa, purple. 

 * See also Scilla. 



