( 137 ) 



NEW PLANTS, ETC., FEOM THE SOCIETY'S 

 GARDEN. 



10. Griffinia Liboniana. De Jonghe. 



Presented to the Society in 1848 by M. de Jonghe, of 

 Brussels. Probably a native of Brazil. 



A hothouse bulb, with narrow, oblong, flaccid leaves, which 

 much resemble those of a Drimia, being mottled with pallid 

 blotches upon a dark green ground. The scape is about 6 

 inches high, and round. The flowers are small, pale ultra- 

 marine, with very narrow segments, whitish on the lower half. 

 Stamens very short, and declinate. 



All the flowers of the plant now before me are so much de- 

 formed that it is not desirable to describe it further. It is no 

 doubt a very distinct species of the genus, the narrow, unstalked, 

 blotched leaves being quite peculiar to it. But it is not likely 

 to possess any interest as an object of beauty. 



March 25, 1850. 



11. Garrya elliptica. Douglas, in the Botanical Register, 

 vol. xx., t. 1686. The Female. 



A plant collected by Mr. Hartweg in California ; was re- 

 ceived at the Garden in a living state. 



Hitherto the male only of this fine Evergreen bush has been 

 known in our Gardens ; in which its good foliage and long mas- 

 sive tails of yellowish catkins, appearing in the earliest days of 

 spring, have deservedly rendered it a universal favourite. 



The female, which in foliage is like the male, has flowered 

 now for the first time in Europe, and proves to be as destitute 

 of beauty as the male is conspicuous for it. The catkins are 

 short, green, and, at a little distance from the bush, are not to 

 be observed. To Botanical Gardens the plant is an acquisition, 

 as it is to Horticulture, inasmuch as it will probably now ripen 

 fruit, and thus afford a ready means of propagation. It is pos- 

 sible, also, that the deep purple berries, with long clusters of 

 which the plant is loaded in North-West America, may prove 

 ornamental ; but of that we can at present have no certain 

 knowledge. 



March 16, 1850. 

 vol. v. l 



