CALADIUM. 129 



but the outside shell remains ; this is what we designate 

 dry rot, and to steer clear of this evil, we advise their 

 being l^ept under the stage in the stove all the winter, or 

 in some warm place where water can be given occasion- 

 ally. In this way even the smallest-rooted kinds will 

 be found whole and sound at the potting season. They 

 are increased by divisions of the roots, which is most 

 safely accomplished before growth commences. Many of 

 the kinds here enumerated have been introduced from 

 Para, and other parts of South America, and others are the 

 results of cross-breeding at home ; but although many 

 are introduced, they probably are crossbreeds in their 

 native country, which is Tropical America. 



C argyrites. — This is at once the smallest and most 

 elegant species of the whole genus. The leaves are small 

 in size, sagittate in shape, with the ground colour light 

 green, the centre and margins of the leaf white, with 

 many irregular blotches scattered over the remaining 

 portion. It is a beautiful ornament in the stove, and a. 

 perfect gem as a decorator of the dinner table, whilst 

 many of its leaves are useful for bouquets. Native of 

 the banks of the Amazon and its tributaries in South 

 America. 



G. Baraguinii. — A variety of good robust habit, and 

 very distinct ; the leaves are from twenty to thirty inches 

 long, the centre of the leaf deep red, the margin being 

 dark green. From Para ? 



G. Beethoven. — Ground colour of leaf white, beautiftdly 

 netted with bright green ; the mid-rib rosy pink. A very 

 pleasing form of this popular genus. Of garden origin. 



G. Belleymd. — A veritable gem for summer decoration, 

 its large sagittate leaves being nearly wholly white 

 and beautifully relieved- by the vivid green network of 



