580 FLOWERS OF GARDEN AND GREENHOUSE 
shaped, concave, with distinct keel at back. Flowers red, 1 inch long ; 
June and July. Height, 2 feet. 
G. DISTICHA (two-rowed). Leaves ten to twelve, in two rows, 
crowded, spreading; face flat; covered with indistinct green spots. 
Flowers scarlet, nearly 1 inch long; July and August. Height, 2 feet. 
G. MACULATA (spotted). Leaves sixteen to twenty, in two rows, 
more loosely disposed, somewhat spreading, bright shining green or 
purple with rosy base, and a profusion of white spots. Flowers scarlet, 
# inch long ; July and August. 
G. PULCHRA (fair). Leaves sixteen to twenty, loosely disposed in 
two rows, but all with an upward direction ; concave ; spotted with bright 
green or purple. Height, 2 feet. 
G. VERRUCOSA (warty). Leaves concave, ten to twelve, in two rows, 
outer ones spreading, point sharp, back swollen; covered with raised 
whitish spots. Flowers red, 1 inch long; March to November. Height, 
1 foot. 
Gasterias require greenhouse treatment, and should be 
firmly potted in a compost of sandy loam and peat, to 
which has been added some old brick and mortar rubbish and sand. 
There should be good drainage, to ensure the rapid passage of all super- 
fluous water—which should always be given with care. In winter, water 
should only be given in sufficient quantity to prevent the leaves wither- 
ing. They should be given a position in the greenhouse, where they 
will get plenty of light; but they cannot endure bright sunshine, which 
blisters the leaves. Otherwise, they will be found to require very little 
attention. 
Description of Gasterva verrucosa. The figure of entire plant is 
Plate 270. reduced to one-half the natural dimensions, but the 
separate flower-scape represents the natural size. Fig. 1 is a detached 
flower, much enlarged; and fig. 2 is a section of the same. It is pro- 
pagated by offshots from the old plants, and by seeds sown in light 
sandy soil about February or March, and germinated in heat. 
Cultivation. 
ALOES 
Natural Order Litiacza&. Genus Aloe 
ALOE (said to be derived from Alloeh, the Arabic name for some of the 
species). A genus of about one hundred species of shrubs or (rarely) 
trees, with thick fleshy leaves, often arranged in rosette-fashion, and 
Misia ae 
