106 STOVE PLANTS. 



introduced certainly deserve more general attention than has 

 hitherto been accorded them. The cultivation of these plants 

 is extremely simple ; they should be potted in a compost 

 consisting of loam and peat in the proportion of about three 

 parts of the former to one of the latter, to which should be 

 added a small portion of sand. Increase is effected by 

 offsets and by seeds when procurable. 



E. Amboinensis. — The bulbs of this plant are ovate, sup- 

 porting large petiolate, roundish-cordate leaves, which are 

 light green in colour ; the scape supports a many-flowered 

 umbel of large pure white Pancratium-like flowers, which 

 renders it a most conspicuous and desirable inhabitant of the 

 stove ; its flowers are produced about April and May, and 

 last a considerable time in fuU beauty. Native of Amboyna, 

 and several islands in the Eastern Archipelago. 



E. Australasica. — This is a very distinct and pretty plant, 

 having a short flower scape, which is developed before the 

 leaves appear after the resting season. The flowers are 

 produced in a many-flowered umbel, and are pure white in 

 colour. It flowers in February and March. Native of the 

 South Sea Islands. 



EXAOUM. 



E. Zeijlanicum. — This very beautiful plant is a native of 

 Ceylon, and belongs to the G-entian-worts, a class of plants 

 not the easiest to cultivate, though it contains many lovely 

 varieties ; the present species, though an annual, should be 

 more frequently seen in collections. It grows from one to 

 two feet high. The seeds should be sown in April, placed in 

 bottom heat, and the plants carefully shifted from time to 

 time, as the roots fill the pots. The soil should be about 

 equal portions of loam, peat, and sand. A liberal supply of 

 water should be given, care being taken that it does not 



