I.lfPROVIXG FLOWERS — PARENTAL BEGONIAS. 



27 



species used by Sedeii, Laing and others in originating the present magnificent race of 

 tuberous-rooted begonias. 



The first species was a succulent but rather wcali-habitcd branching plant about 

 2 feet in height, viz., 13. boliviensis, introduced in 1864. It had drooping, rather close 

 sejxiled, orange-red flowers. Then came B. Yeitchi in 18G7, a plant with fleshy- 

 rounded radical leaves, and two three-flowered radical scapes of bright red, broad 

 sepaled flowers. The first hybrid, however (B. Sedeni), was the result of a cross 

 effected between B. boliviensis and B. species, and shown in Fig. 18; it was a deep 

 rosy variety, not very much superior to the wild B. boliviensis ; but this was a start, 

 and growers became alert and active, then by crossing and selecting from B, Sedeni and 



Fig. 17. I.Mi'EOVixG FiowERS. Begunias. 

 First species (on the left), B. boliviensis, 1SG4 ; next (on the right), B. Veitchi, 1867. 



its parents, and from other species, such as B. rosccflora, B. Pearcei, B. Yeitchi, 

 B. Davisi, and a few others, our present splendid varieties have been obtained. 



Apart from hybridising, however, a careful selection of seedling plants often 

 results in very fine forms. The scarlet Autliuriuni Schertzerianum is a case in point. 

 Like the Lapageria rosea its spathes vary much in size and colour. As originally dis- 

 covered in Guatemala and Costa Eica, prior to 1857, it was so small and weedy-looking 

 that one or two collectors passed it by and would not trouble to add it to their collec- 

 tions. As figured in the Botanical Magazine, t. 5319 (Vol 88), its spathes are scarcely 

 more than one inch in length by three-quarters of an inch wide ; but by good culture 



