GBIFFINU. ' 127 



doubt it would become useful as an exhibition plant, were 

 it to receive the attention of plant-growers. 



Geiffinia. 



A genus of tropical bulbous plants, differing from Amaryllis 

 in little else than their evergreen leaves. Those here given 

 are the best known to us. Q. hyacinthina. is an old inhabitant 

 of our gardens, which had been cast on one side, and is 

 now beginning to be appreciated again. The bulbs should 

 bo potted in a mixture of peat and loam, with a little good 

 leaf mould, and plenty of silver or river sand. They should 

 be kept in a high temperature, and in a moist atmosphere 

 when growing, but when at rest should be cooler, and nearly 

 dry. Griffinias are usually increased by offsets from the 

 old bulbs, but sometimes from seeds ; in the latter case, many 

 new forms may be expected to show theniselves. 



G. Blumenavia. — The bulbs of this species are rather 

 small. The leaves have slender footstalks, and ai-e dhlong- 

 lanceolate, four or five inches in length. The flower scape is 

 erect, bearing an umbel six or eight flowers, which are white, 

 streaked with pale rose. It is a charming little plant, of easy 

 culture. Native of St. Catherine's, BrazU. 



G. hyacinthina. — A beautiful species, and, like all its con- 

 geners, well deserving general cultivation. The leaves are 

 broadly ovate, petiolate, and of a deep green colour. It 

 produces its lovely violet-coloured flowers during the summer 

 months, and lasts a considerable time in great beauty. It is 

 a native of South America. 



G. hyacinthina maxima. — This is a Tery large form of the 

 preceding, the flowers of which measure upwards of four 

 inches in diameter ; they are white, tipped with rich blue. 

 Native of Brazil. 



