On Achimenes longiflora. 



start into leaf, and to grow with vigour after their arrival as if 

 they had remained in Guatemala. 



The stems of Achimenes longiflora are of two kinds, some creep- 

 ing along the ground and amongst the soil, and forming fibrous roots 

 and numerous imbricated buds resembling scaly bulbs ; others grow- 

 ing in an upright position from a foot to two feet in height, branching 

 and covered with short spreading hairs. The leaves are hairy, ge- 

 nerally opposite and in pairs, but on young shoots are frequently in 

 whorls of three and sometimes alternate ; they are oblong, pointed, 

 and serrated, green above, but tinged with red on the under side 

 when fully grown. The flowers grow singly from the axils of the 

 leaves ; the peduncles are about half an inch in length ; the lobes 

 of the calyx are green, oblong, pointed, and persistent. The tube 

 of the corolla is about two inches long and the border nearly two 

 inches and a half in diameter, 5-lobed and nearly round, having 

 much the outline of a good heartsease. The tube is of a dark 

 cream colour, the border purple or deep blue changing into lilac. 

 The style and stamens are about the length of the tube, but the 

 latter are apparently much shorter, owing to their being spirally 

 curved at their base. 



It proves to be a plant of the easiest cultivation, flowering in 

 August and continuing covered with large violet flowers for three or 

 four months. It seems to flourish in any free soil, and is more easily 

 propagated than any plant with which I am acquainted. In the 

 spring when it begins to grow this can be done by separating and 

 potting the scaly bulbs described above ; afterwards its creeping 

 stems will strike their roots into the soil and can be taken off 

 perfect plants ; and at all times, while the plant is growing, cuttings 

 may be struck in a few days. 



Every one who has a warm greenhouse or cucumber or melon 

 frame to start it in, and enable it to form its flower buds in summer, 

 may have it in full bloom in the common greenhouse or sitting 

 room in autumn. The lovers of drawing-room plants may intro- 



