22 



HIPPEASTRUM AULICUM. 



ferent, being badly drawn ; and so miserably coloured, that it gives not the 

 slightest idea of its actual magnificence. However, the uncoloured part of the 

 lower petal embracing the filaments is well delineated. 



It is a native of Brazil, and was introduced by Mr. Griffin in the year 1810. 

 Our drawing was taken from a fine specimen in the collection of Dugdale 

 Houghton, Esq., of Edgbaston, near Birmingham. 



It requires the heat of the stove to grow it well, although it will live in a 

 warm greenhouse. The soil most suited to its growth is a mixture of sand, loam, 

 and a small quantity of peat, using plenty of drainers, which are essentially re- 

 quisite. It should be liberally supplied with water when in a growing state, but 

 suffered to get nearly dry when the leaves begin to decay. It flowers at all 

 seasons of the year, but generally in the spring. It may be increased by offset 

 bulbs, and by seeds, which may be perfected if assisted by artificial impregnation. 



It will be seen that we have followed the Hon. and Rev. Mr. Herbert in the 

 separation of Hippeastrum from Amaryllis, although his name has not been 

 adopted by Mr. Ker, in the Botanical Register; or by Dr. Schultes in his 

 elaborate work entitled " Systema Vegetabilium,'" and arranged according to the 

 Linnean system. This indefatigable author makes Hippeastrum and the other 

 . genera of Mr. Herbert only as so many sections, and preserves the genus 

 Amaryllis entire, but whether with justice or not we must leave others to decide. 

 For the information of our readers who may not know the grounds of the separa- 

 tion, we will quote Mr. Herbert's own words, — 



" Hippeastrum belongs to a different section to Amaryllis : 1. By having a 

 hollow scape. 2. By its black shelly seeds. 3. The seeds not bursting the cap- 

 sule prematurely. 4. The oblique mouth of the tube abbreviated on the under 

 side by the deeper incision of the perianth. 5. The fourfold instead of alternate 

 diversity of the segments. 6. The fourfold instead of alternate insertion. 

 • 7. The fourfold instead of alternate length of the filaments. 8. The nectareous 

 beard, or screen, in several species. 9. The germen sloped from the peduncle. 

 10. The tube sloped from the germen. 11. The constriction of the germen in 

 the middle. 12. The capsule widest instead of narrowest at the base. 13. The 

 flower accompanying or following instead of preceding the leaves. 14. The 

 growth of the leaves being vernal instead of autumnal. 15. The plants occidental 

 instead of African." 



