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BEGONIA BARKERI. 



It is remarkably tardy in the development of its inflorescence, nine months 

 having elapsed from the first appearance of the flower-bud to the full expansion 

 of the flowers. When the flower-scape first makes its appearance it is terminated 

 by a twin flower-bud, each of which, as the scape elongates, again separates into 

 two parts ; these continue to separate repeatedly until is formed a cyme of nine 

 inches in length and six in diameter. 



During the development of the inflorescence, an innumerable quantity of 

 dark brown scales are thrown off, which give it an appearance very different from 

 any species we have hitherto seen. 



It is a native of Mexico, and was found by Mr. Ross, the collector of 

 G. Barker, Esq., of Springfield, on the Trapean Mountains, from whence the 

 roots were imported in 1837. One of these roots was liberally presented by Mr. 

 Barker to the Birmingham Botanical and Horticultural Society. From this 

 plant, (which has just flowered,) our drawing has been taken. The leaves and 

 fleshy crown of the root, it will be perceived, are much diminished in size. 



For cultivation, it requires a cool stove, and the only mode of increase that 

 has yet occurred is by cutting out the buds formed on the fleshy root, with a 

 portion of the root attached to them, which will soon root when planted in sand. 

 The soil should be peat and loam. 



