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BEGONIA DIVERSIFOLIA. 



( Various-leaved Begonia.) 

 LINNEAN SYSTEM. • NATURAL ORDER. 



MONCECIA POLYANDRIA. BEGONIACEjE, — (R. BrOWH.) 



GENERIC CHARACTER. 



Begonia (Lin.) Masc. Corolla 0. Calyx polysepala ; sepala plerunique insequalia. — Fsem. 

 Corolla 0. Calyx sepalis 4-9 plerumque insequalibus. Styli 3 bifidi. Capsula triquetra* alata, 

 trilocularis, polysperma. 



Male. Corolla none. Calyx many-sepaled ; sepals mostly unequal. — Female. Corolla 

 none. Calyx with from four to nine petals, mostly unequal, Styles three, divided. Capsule 

 three-sided, winged, three-celled, many-seeded. 



SPECIFIC CHARACTER. 



B. diversifolia ; herbacea glaberrima ; foliis radicalibus reniformibus late crenatis, caulinis 

 sublobatis insequaliter argute serratis, superioribus insequaliter cordatis ; floribus axillaribus ; 

 pedunculis petiolos sequantibus ramosis. Capsulce ala maxima acutangula. 



Desck. — Herbaceous, very smooth ; radical leaves reniform, broadly notched ; stem leaves 

 somewhat lobed, unequally and sharply serrated, upper ones unequally cordate ; flowers axillary ; 

 peduncles equal to the petioles, branched ; wing of the capsule very large, acutely angled. 



This is a very delicate tuberous-rooted stove perennial, highly deserving of 

 cultivation, as indeed are all the species of this tribe. It is closely related to B. 

 Martiana, from which it scarcely differs, if we except its simple, not branched, 

 less robust, and less glossy pink-coloured stem. We cannot, indeed consider them 

 anything more than mere varieties. It appears at present very doubtful to what 

 natural order Begoniacese are most allied. Dr. Lindley thought at one time it 

 was to Hydrangese, by the areolations of their seeds and the irregularity of their 

 flowers ; he now considers it more allied to Cucurbitacese, and probably with more 

 justice. Jussieu considered it nearly related to Polygonese by its developed 

 stipules, coloured calyx, three-cornered fruit, and acid juice ; but the fruit and 

 seed of this order are quite different. Professor Link, a most able continental 

 botanist, places it near Umbelliferse, although he does not appear to have stated 

 his reason for so doing. Notwithstanding these conflicting opinions, we may 

 expect shortly that some one who has had favourable opportunities of studying 



