164 



AMPHICOME ARGUTA. 



1 -celled ; style the length of the stamens, embraced by the anthers. Capsule slender, smooth, 

 resembling a long silicrae, 1-celled, many-seeded, opening by one suture only. Seeds numerous, 

 appense, compressed, the testa terminating at each end in numerous delicate hairs, the structure 

 of which, when examined under the microscope, is highly curious. 



This rare plant flowered for the first time in this country, in August 1837, at 

 the garden of the London Horticultural Society, where it was raised from seeds 

 sent to that establishment by Professor Royle. The seeds were collected on the 

 Himalaya mountains at an elevation of from 6000 to 8000 feet. The flowers are 

 beautiful and gracefully disposed, and it is altogether a very elegant plant. It is 

 supposed to be hardy enough for the open air, if planted in a favourable situation, 

 and protected from frost in winter. To cultivate it with success, a considerable 

 degree of care and attention will be necessary. On this point we copy the follow- 

 ing important remarks from the Botanical Register : — " It is very impatient of wet, 

 even in summer, and requires to be kept particularly dry during winter ; it thrives 

 best in a loamy soil, with a small portion of sandy peat added, and may be 

 increased by seeds or cuttings. The seeds should be sown about February, in a 

 loamy soil, and placed in the greenhouse. The plants grow slowly, and will not 

 flower before the second year. Cuttings of the young shoots strike any time from 

 March to September, but rather slowly. They will continue flowering from June 

 to September ; the same flowers remain for some days in perfection ; they are 

 destitute of scent." 



Another species of this interesting genus is known under the name of Amphi- 

 come Emodi, but has not as yet been seen in this country. It is said to be a much 

 finer plant, with larger and more numerous flowers. We shall be anxious to hear 

 of its introduction. 



The species which we now figure was published in the Bot. Reg. of April last, 

 accompanied with a very minute and most accurate description of its botanical 

 peculiarities by Dr. Lindley, who remarks that Dr. Royle has abandoned his name 

 Amphicome, in conformity with the opinion of Dr. Brown, who considers the 

 genus not distinct from Incarvillea. Dr. Lindley, however, is disposed to believe 

 " that the characters assigned to Amphicome as a subgenus, are quite sufficient 

 for a higher purpose, in an order the distinctive characters of which are such as 

 those of dicarpous Monopetalce ; " for which reason he has restored the name. 



Amphicome is derived from a^tyi around, and KOjx-q hair, in reference to the hairy 

 appendages to the seeds. 



Fig. 1, the calyx with a part of the tubular portion of the corolla, the upper 

 portion being removed to show the style embraced by the anthers. Fig. 2, an 

 anther, showing the awn on each lobe, and a similar one on the ovate appendage 

 of the connectivum. 



