LILY. 197 



that marked variations will be noticeable in all future 

 generations. 



The type reaches a height of from three to four feet, 

 bearing from four to twelve ivory-white flowers, with a 

 distinct central band of bright yellow, with numerous 

 deep purple spots ; when fully expanded the flowers are 

 from eight to twelve inches across. When planted in a 

 deep, rich soil, the stalks often assume a fasciated form, 

 producing an immense number of flowers; the greatest 1 

 number we have ever seen on a single stem being one 

 hundred and twenty-six. Like all other monstrosities, 

 number is at the expense of beauty. What are known 

 to the trade as home-grown bulbs are greatly to be pre- 

 ferred to newly imported ones, which are apt to be taken 

 up before the*: are fully ripened, besides losing much of 

 their vitality by long transit, in a dry state. All the 

 forms of L. auratum succeed admirably when grown in 

 pots, because then they are not likely to be injured by 

 frost, or from a surfeit of water. 



Var. rubra vittatum. This form differs from the 

 type by having a band of rich bright crimson, instead of 

 the yellow, and in the spots, which have a brighter tint. 



Var. cruentum. This is a dwarf form, bearing 

 large flowers, with a rather dingy maroon stripe, darken- 

 ing towards the center, with purplish-crimson spots. 



Var. Emperor. A grand flower, of good shape 

 and substance, with reddish spots and center. 



Var. rubro-pictum. When this flower first opens 

 it is very beautiful ; the bright yellow band changes to 

 crimson at the ends of the petals ; the spots are of the 

 same crimson tint. 



Var. pictum. Same as the last, excepting the tip 

 only, or lower end of the petal, being marked with 

 crimson. 



Var. virginale. This is unquestionably the grand- 

 est of all the L. auratum varieties, and if it were not 



