NEEINE. 313 



Neeine. 



An elegant genus belonging to the order Amaryllidaceai, 

 consisting of several bulbous plants well deserving general 

 cultivation on account of the great beauty of their flowers and 

 the peculiar season at which these are produced. They are 

 mostly natives of the Cape of Good Hope ; there are, however, 

 a few exceptions. The genus is distinguished by having a 

 six-parted perianth, and no tube, and by some peculiarities in 

 the arrangement in the stamens and filaments. The flowers 

 are borne upon erect scapes, in large umbels, and are pro- 

 duced before the leaves appear. 



Nerines are easily grown, and should be potted in a mix- 

 ture of good sandy loam, to which may be added some well- 

 decomposed cow-manure and good leaf mould. 



After the growth is completed water must be entirely with- 

 held, or at least only just sufficient to keep the bulbs plump 

 must be given, until it is desirable to start them into growth ; 

 but if they are allowed to come at their natural time, water 

 must be given as soon as the scapes begin to push up. They 

 may be increased by division of the bulbs, and also by seed. 



N. coruscans. — This is a fine species, first introduced in the 

 early part of the century, but much neglected for some years ; 

 it is, however, well deserving every attention ; the flowers are 

 brilliant scarlet, produced in large umbels, and appear about 

 the end of July and continue in beauty up to the end of 

 August, a time of year when flowers in the conservatory are 

 especially valuable. Native of the Cape of Good Hope. 



N. flexuosa. — A very handsome kind, producing its lovely 

 pale rose-coloured umbels of bloom during the winter months. 

 It is a native of the Cape of Good Hope. 



X Fothergilli. — The flowers of this species are produced in 



