base; bractes \ance6\sLte, acute, concave, fringed. Pe- 
dicles very short, scarcely any. Cal^x 5-cleft, segments 
unequal, lanceolate or linear, acute, concave, all re- 
flexed. Nectariferous tube ahont 5 . times longer than 
the calyx, furrowed on both sides, thickly covered with 
short hairs. Petals 5, or sometimes increased to 7 or 
8, all obovate, nearly black, with a yellowish base and 
margin. Filaments 10, united at the base, 6 bearing 
perfect anthers, besides a spatula-shaped stamen-like 
organ, which may be considered an attempt at a se- 
venth; in the ma7iy-petalled flowers the anthers are 
increased to 9 or 10, and the spatula-shaped organ 
remains the same. Pollen yellow. Germen and aristae 
villous. Style short, smooth, pale flesh-colour. Stig- 
mas 5, of the same colour, revolute. 
For an opportunity of giving a drawing of this fine 
species, we are obliged to Mr. Tate, nurseryman, of 
Sloane Street, who sent us a plant in full bloom, that 
had been recently imported from the Cape; it be- 
longs to the same section of the genus as P. pulchellum 
and P. ardens, already figured in this work ; and be- 
sides the others that we have enumerated, Mr. Colvill 
has lately received several very curious species from the 
Cape, which we have no doubt will also belong to this 
section. 
We have often seen plants of this species in collec- 
tions, but have seldom observed it in flower, which is pro- 
bably owing to the mode of treatment. When the plants 
are in a dormant state, they require scarcely any water, 
till they show an inclination to grow; they should then 
be fresh potted in an equal mixture of turfy loam, peat, 
and sand, with the pots well drained; they must then 
be regularly supplied with water; as they grow they 
may be shifted into larger sized pots, if required, and 
they will flower as freely as any other kind : the best 
method of propagating them is by the little tubers of 
the roots, which may be planted several in one pot, in 
the same kind of soil; their tops must be just above 
the surface of the mould, and they require scarcely any 
water till the wound is calloused over, when they may 
be watered regularly, and they will soon make young 
plants. 
